Independent candidate for Ward 1 Robert Stock at the old Katoomba goods yard site last Friday.
Independent candidate for Ward 1 Robert Stock said if elected he would put redevelopment of the old Katoomba railway goods yard site bordering Main Street back on council’s agenda.
Mr Stock said the site was a key part of the Katoomba Charrette consultative planning process completed 14 years ago because the land was surplus to State Rail’s (now Railcorp’s) requirements and community groups suggested it could be cleaned up and used by the general public as a park or a car park.
“State Rail came to the party and offered the site to Blue Mountains City Council for $1 but since then nothing’s happened. Council has sat on its hands and allowed a site that is critical to the appearance and economic viability of the town to simply lie idle and become a mess.”
Running mate Jenny Ross said the issue showed “a lack of drive in council to set an agenda and get things done. All we’ve had is a flurry of reports to council, but no action.
“At little cost council should take over this site, give the old buildings a coat of paint, add a bit of landscaping and in a short time we’d have a great site for a farmer’s market or any number of other community uses,” she said.
“Let’s get it done.”