Katoomba’s business sector has welcomed a council decision to replace footpaths in the town centre identified as a risk to the public.
The council accepted a tender by Anewtec Civil Pty Ltd for $483,549 last week to reconstruct the footpath on the western side of Katoomba Street beside Froma Lane to the intersection with Bathurst Road, continuing along the southern side of Bathurst Road to the corner with Parke Street.
The job will commence within a fortnight after the Winter Magic Festival in the second half of June.
The only other tender submitted had a price tag of almost double at $942,940.
Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and Community (KCCC) president Mark Jarvis said members were pleased the council had opted to fund prompt replacement of footpath sections with the most problems rather than pursue a strategy to replace all the town centre’s footpaths if up to $3million could be secured from the State and Federal Governments.
Mr Jarvis said the section between Froma Lane and the driveways of the Carrington Hotel had the most problems including missing, loose, uneven or tarred over bricks.
“We’re delighted because structurally you can see the paving is coming apart, it’s loose and quite dangerous — it really needs to be fixed. I don’t think all of Katoomba Street needed to be done yet.”
According to a council report, meetings will be held with KCCC members and local business owners and operators in the areas affected and signs will be posted prior to the work commencing to advise of the project details and estimated completion date.
The footpath upgrade will be funded through the capital works program and $186,000 from development contribution levies.