Political largesse continues, even after the Gazette’s last pre-election deadline.
Macquarie MP Louise Markus announced on Thursday that, if re-elected, the Coalition government will give Blue Mountains council $652,774 for a major tourism upgrade of Wentworth Falls Lake Reserve.
The funding will be used to improve the infrastructure at the Reserve to provide more modern facilities.
“This facility is of great significance to both locals and tourists in Wentworth Falls and the Upper Blue Mountains, and I am pleased this funding will enable the facility to be better utilised,” Mrs Markus said.
Lew Hird, vice-president of the Wentworth Falls Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the announcement.
“We’re very supportive,” he said. “Previously we had put a submission [to council] for a kiosk and educational facility and if this can contribute in any way to that, we endorse it completely.”
“Any way in which we can encourage more tourism to the area we think would be beneficial for jobs and the Blue Mountains economy.”
Mrs Markus said she believed the improvements would address access issues and also provide better facilities for commercial tourism operators as well as regional education institutions.
Cr Chris Van der Kley said the grant was part of council’s planned upgrades to some of the Mountains’ major parks.
“I want to thank Louise for obtaining the grant,” he said. “It’s really appreciated and it will be a fantastic improvement to the Wentworth Falls lake.”
A spokeswoman for council said there were four major priority areas for which the funds may be used. These were the walkway and boardwalk viewing platform, upgrade to the amenities block, traffic management (including car and bus parking, bus stops and pedestrian crossing) and educational interpretive signs.
