Council invites input and expressions of interest for a new cowork space at Katoomba

Blue Mountains City Council is inviting input from the community, via a short survey, on a cowork space at Katoomba Civic Centre.

It is also currently seeking expressions of interest from cowork space providers to operate the facility.

The cowork space will be established at the site of the old library in Katoomba, providing a communal working space for locals. It is part of a broader revitalisation and beautification of the Katoomba Civic Centre that includes artworks by local artists, landscaping, repainting and improved seating.

It comes after Council secured a $750k grant through the Building Better Regions Fund in June 2020 and will be matched by Council to a total investment of $1.5m.

“The Civic Centre has the potential to be a vibrant hub at the heart of Katoomba,” Cr Mark Greenhill said. “Our research shows that now more than ever, working habits are changing and this work space will provide our community with a connected, flexible and convenient way of working.

“Many in our community are increasingly disinclined to travel to Sydney for work and the creation of this space will attract workers to remain in the Mountains, injecting revenue and achieving a more sustainable local economy. This allows locals to spend more time with their families rather than commuting.

“I urge anyone who is interested in using a cowork space to get involved by taking this short survey. Let us know what you would like to see, whether it be training rooms, meeting rooms, networking events or digital production facilities. This will be enormously helpful as we develop a space that’s right for our community.

“I also encourage appropriately experienced cowork space operators to look at the space at 81-83 Katoomba Street and submit their expression of interest process before the deadline.”

Planning and design for the Civic Centre revitalisation is underway, with construction expected to commence by mid-2022 for completion by December 2022.

Please take part in the survey to shape the cowork space by 26 September 2021 here: yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/katoomba-cowork-space-survey.

Expressions of interest are being received until Monday 30 August 2021 at 8.30am. Get more information here: bmcc.nsw.gov.au/public-notices.