Threefold boost for Katoomba Town Centre

Council has secured three grants for upgrades to Katoomba Town Centre. All will improve the overall look and functionality of the town, while boosting business and the arts.

The first project is the revitalisation of Katoomba Civic Centre, funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Building Better Regions Fund, to reactivate this area. The project includes external repainting, new lighting, improved security and toilet facilities, public art and improved connections to Council’s Cultural Centre. Artwork and architectural design works are currently in the process of being commissioned.

The second project is the continued improvement of the town centre footpaths with $870,000 funding from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. This follows footpath improvements delivered at Bathurst Road to the Carrington Hotel in 2012 and near the post office and Pioneer Place in 2014.

This new project will see delivery of new footpaths, kerbs and gutters from the southern side of the pedestrian crossing on Gang Gang Street, continuing up the eastern side of Katoomba Street. Tree plantings will remain and Council will refurbish any impacted street furniture. This upgrade will start early 2021 and is expected to take approximately four months.

The third upgrade, funded with a $145,000 Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grant will deliver, in partnership with TOOLO, art installations to five laneways across Katoomba with artworks selected through an expression of interest process in early 2021. The semi-permanent artworks, valued up to $20,000 each, will be exhibited between two to 10 years. Council will soon be undertaking an assessment of the laneways and seek approval from relevant property owners.

“These major improvements to the busy town centre of Katoomba will help provide a welcome economic boost to the area. They will benefit both locals and tourists to our region,” Mayor Mark Greenhill said.

“The upgrade of the Civic Centre will inject a new lease of life into this under-used area. Art installation will enhance the Blue Mountains as a City of the Arts destination and is in line with our goals of supporting the local arts industry and artists, as well as local business, after a prolonged difficult period.”

Council will take all the necessary measures to ensure that there will be minimal disruption during these works, to businesses, community groups and organisations who operate in these areas, and to locals and visitors to the town centre.

Find out more at www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au