Footpath upgrade for Wentworth Falls Village

Blue Mountains City Council is renewing the Station Street footpath at Wentworth Falls Village, to improve access and safety.

The works include replacing the existing claret ash trees on the western side of the street, with 10 lipstick maple trees. The claret ash trees have been there for about 25 years, but are causing damage to pavers and creating a potential hazard as they have no room for growth.

Council is also replacing the driveways in grey asphalt, to provide a visual clue to drivers.

Mayor Mark Greenhill said: “This is another important project that is helping to improve the accessibility and safety of our village centres, for our community and visitors to the area.”

The project commenced this month and the work is estimated to take up to ten weeks, weather permitting. The project has been delayed from earlier this year, due to weather.

Council is taking measures to ensure minimum disruption to parking and pedestrians on Station Street, including staging the project over four sections and conducting driveway work during the night.

There will still be access to shops and businesses throughout the project, with pedestrian bridges from the road. Some car spaces will be temporarily out of action, along with the bus stop, but each section will be reopened as work is completed. 

The new lipstick maples trees are an ideal street tree and a better long-term solution for the location, being more tolerant of various soil conditions and unlikely to cause drainage issues or pavement damage. 

They will grow at a fast pace, to the scale of the current trees, at around eight-ten metres. They are also deciduous, providing shade in summer and allowing winter sun in, and display more vibrant autumn colours.

For more information: bmcc.nsw.gov.au/wentworth-falls-footpath.

Photo: Renewal works begin at Station Street, Wentworth Falls.