A vital cog in the wheel which is the Blackheath master plan has fallen into place with council last week awarded a $1.5 million grant to move the proposal along.
Council will have to match the federal government funding and has already set aside $300,000 in its draft delivery program for the 2018-19 financial year.
Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Marise Payne, said revitalising the Blackheath centre has been a key issue in the town for some time.
“Blackheath has a wonderful village atmosphere, and the town centre project will enhance this unique character whilst also helping to increase business vitality which is essential to support residents and visiting tourists,” Senator Payne said.
The funding is earmarked for a number of projects, a council spokeswoman said.
They include: Traffic calming and pedestrian safety in town, an upgrade to the footpath outside The Gardens on the highway along with improved parking, loading dock arrangements for the community hall and tree planting, both in the town centre and around The Gardens.
As well as town improvements, funds will help pay for more visitor facilities at Mt Blackheath (pit toilet, furniture and hang gliding infrastructure), Pope’s Glen (viewing platform, track upgrades) and Hargraves Lookout (accessible pit toilet and handrail).
Money will also go towards the surfacing of the Blackheath to Mt Victoria section of the Great Blue Mountains Trail, a matter of some contention in the town, about whether the route could follow the railway line on the western escarpment or whether it follows a path on the eastern side beside the highway.
Michael Paag, spokesman for the Blackheath Alliance, said the funding was good news for locals.
“The Blackheath Area Community Alliance welcomes this funding announcement,” he said.
“It will be a big boost to the township of Blackheath, provided Blue Mountains City Council continues to work constructively with our community to ensure the community’s priorities are fulfilled for the benefit of residents and local business.”
The mayor, Mark Greenhill, also welcomed the funding news, saying it would see “the revitalisation of infrastructure in Blackheath, which simultaneously seeks to meet the needs of local residents and enhance the tourism offering.”
Council’s general manager, Rosemary Dillon, recently wrote to the state government about commuter parking in Blackheath. Mark Coure, parliamentary secretary, replied that Transport for NSW was reviewing how it prioritised, located and funded commuter car parks.
