The first accessible bushland track in the Lower Mountains has opened for Easter.
A range of accessibility upgrades to the Lapstone Zig Zag Track and Top Points Lookout are now complete and the popular walk is open.
The upgrades include:
- Transforming the Zig Zag track into an accessible, shared, asphalt pathway of approximately 850 metres running out to Top Points Lookout.
- An accessible, elevated platform at the Top Points Lookout at the northern end of the pathway, which will provide views over the Cumberland Plain.
- A formalised parking area in the Knapsack Street cul-de-sac providing five angled parking spaces, and including two accessible parking spaces, for the community.
- Improved landscaping next to the parking area and trail head, including a small rain garden for stormwater treatment.
- Seating at intervals along the pathway.
While council has worked to ensure the Zig Zag Track and Top Points Lookout can reopen for Easter, there remain some minor landscaping improvements to be made in the weeks ahead.
Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill said: "These extensive improvements to the track and lookout reflect the importance council places on providing better access for everyone in our community to the natural beauty and significant heritage features of this area.
"Upgrading our walking tracks and making them accessible in key places is an important priority for council, so that our whole community can enjoy our unique natural areas. Why not take some time over the Easter long weekend to do just that?"
David Tritton, President of Ride Blue Mountains Inc, said: "Ride Blue Mountains supports providing more choice for active travel and recreational cycling for people of all levels of skill and capability in the Blue Mountains through safer infrastructure.
"The shared path to the new viewing platform overlooking Knapsack Creek and the Viaduct ticks that box for us and it is a great start to improving accessibility to the entire historical Zig Zag rail corridor, including a cycling connection to the viaduct."
Mr Tritton said the scenic eastern escarpment has "huge potential to be a significant regional recreational and tourism precinct and a destination choice for locals and visitors".
"Ride Blue Mountains looks forward to seeing this vision realised through the development of seamless walking and cycling connections between destinations and activities including the upgraded scenic lookouts, the Lapstone Hill Tunnel, the Viaduct, Tramway, new rail heritage displays, mountain bike and bushwalking trails, a new youth bike skills area, more seating and resting places, picnic areas and active travel connections to Emu Heights, Leonay and the River walk."
Access to some beautiful spaces across the Scenic Eastern Escarpment has been dramatically improved recently. The enhancements to the Zig Zag track and Top Points Lookout are the latest in a suite of walking track and lookout upgrades throughout Knapsack Reserve, including:
- Marges and Elizabeth Lookouts
- Elizabeth Lookout Track to Knapsack Bridge
- Marges Lookout Track to Lennox Bridge
- Lovers Walk to Mitchells Pass (Whitton Memorial Place)
"And it doesn't stop here," Cr Greenhill continued. "Council is also currently calling for the community's input on works to be undertaken at the nearby Lapstone Hill Tunnel, which will ultimately be another exciting destination for walking, cycling and recreation," he said.
Mr Tritton said Ride Blue Mountains is looking forward to working with council on finalising a precinct plan for the Lapstone Hill Tunnel "which we hope will demonstrate how all the elements of the Scenic Eastern Escarpment will be brought together over the medium term".
The latest work is part of the $2 million upgrade made to almost two-and-a-half kilometres of walking track along the Scenic Eastern Escarpment, funded under the Western Parkland City Liveability Program, which is part of the Western Sydney City Deal (WSCD). The WSCD is a 20 year-agreement between Australian and NSW governments, and the eight local Councils of the Western Parkland City.
