Blaxland War Memorial Park proposals hindered by access and safety issues

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill has written again to the NSW Government seeking their support to improve access to Blaxland War Memorial Park.

“Council is exploring potential options for the park. For the last decade I have believed it should be reopened as a park. However, given it is bounded by a highway and rail corridor, we would need the cooperation of the State Government as a first step,” Mayor Mark Greenhill said.

“Council has previously made representations to the RMS, after resolutions passed by the elected body, in relation to providing access to the park from the Great Western Highway. To date we are yet to receive a response.”

A new development has created a fresh opportunity for the Mayor to push for the reopening of the park.

The elected Council passed a resolution on 25 February 2020 that endorsed the categorisation of the space as a park, for the purposes of a Plan of Management (PoM). Council will now prepare a PoM by mid 2021 and this process is how we will consider changes for this park.   “Late last year I wrote to the RMS seeking their support and, as with other attempts, that support has not yet been forthcoming,” Mayor Greenhill said. “It should be noted that creating a safe access point from the highway would come at a significant cost and, as the highway sits under the jurisdiction of the state government, their support is required.     “Due to significant costs, extremely poor pedestrian access and safety concerns surrounding the highway and the busy Wilson Way intersection, the park could not be developed without the State Government agreeing to access from the highway that is both safe and practical.”    Council manages 105 parks and 56 formal playgrounds across the Blue Mountains.    Four district parks at Glenbrook Park, Springwood’s Buttenshaw Park, Wentworth Falls Lake and Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park will receive upgrades valued at more than $5.2 million, thanks to funding received through the Western Parkland City Liveability Program. Consultation on design will continue in 2020.

Council is also currently seeking to make St Johns Park, at Blaxland, more inclusive with a $500,000 grant from the Federal Government to improve play equipment.    Photo: Mayor Mark Greenhill at the memorial honouring Private Harold Campbell, at Blaxland War Memorial Park.