Blackheath Village Centre Upgrade

7 December 2023

Upgrade work along Station Street, between Railway Avenue and Bundarra Street, is scheduled to commence on Monday, 11 December 2023 with an estimated completion date of Friday, 22 December 2023.

There will be a partial road closure and detour in place for traffic heading South towards Bundarra Street on Station Street. Traffic Control will be in place to assist in the movement of vehicles.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your co-operation during this time.

7 December 2023

Due to recent wet weather, completion of the Sutton Lane carpark upgrades has unfortunately been delayed.

The carpark will now be open on Saturday, 16 December.

The upgrade work includes:

• Resurfacing and repairing the carpark.
• Reconfiguring the carpark to provide more parking spaces.
• New line marking which will also clearly identify accessible parking bays and the turnaround bay.
• Installing improved signage.

We greatly appreciate the community’s patience as this work is completed. Please be assured we are working with our contractor to ensure the work is finished as soon as possible.

Sutton Lane Car Park upgrades - 13 November to 8 December 2023.

As part of the Blackheath Village Centre Upgrade Project, Sutton Lane Carpark will be closed from Monday, 13 November 2023 to Friday, 8 December 2023.

During this time, there will be no access to the carpark.

This necessary upgrade work is being prioritised to ensure it is completed as quickly as possible.

The upgrade work includes:

• Resurfacing and repairing the carpark.
• Reconfiguring the carpark to provide more parking spaces.
• New line marking which will also clearly identify accessible parking bays and the turnaround bay.
• Installing improved signage.

We greatly appreciate the community’s patience as this work is completed. Please be assured we are working with our contractor to ensure the work is finished as soon as possible.

August 2023

Updated designs for the village centre upgrade works are now available from the Document Library.

Blackheath Rail Building – Public Art EOI has now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted an EOI.

Council called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from sculptors and artists to develop a site-specific public artwork as part of the planned improvements to Blackheath Village Centre. This project is one part of a broader village upgrade project and is funded by the Build Better Regions Fund (BBRF), the Western Parkland City Liveability Program Fund (WPCLP) and Council’s contribution.

This project will deliver a new, site-specific sculptural artwork within the area around the Blackheath Rotary Clock and Neate Park. The purpose of the artwork is to visually screen the dilapidated rail building and add aesthetic interest to the Village Centre and arrival experience to Blackheath. The sculpture is to be a well-made work that is suitable for an outdoor public environment.

Council is looking for an artist to design the site-specific artwork consistent with one or more of the following key principles:

• Sensitivity to the aesthetic qualities of Blackheath Village
• Contextual responsiveness to Ngurra (Country)
• Potential to portray local and town stories
• Collaboration with local community members in the creation of the work

June/July 2023

The Blackheath Village Centre upgrade has progressed into a detailed design phase, including improvements to the Wentworth Street and Govetts Leap Road intersection. This option was the approved design to meet traffic engineering, pedestrian compliance and accessible outcomes. To see the design, view the information flyer.

The detailed design for the other work packages continues and more information will be shared with the community when available.

For an overview of the six work packages, please see the news feed below or view the documentation available on the right.

Project Update

April 2023

A project update presentation is now available, including:

• A project overview
• Progress update on the various work packages
• Consultation outcomes and design commentary

View or download the presentation.

Update 6 April 2023

Following community consultation on the upgrade in late 2022 and early 2023, the Blackheath Village Centre upgrade plans have progressed into a more detailed design phase. Consultation comments were reviewed and considered for the detailed design where practically suitable supported by Traffic Engineering and Heritage and Environment teams.

Below is a brief update on the progress of each package that makes up this important upgrade project:

Package 1 – Sutton Lane Carpark, Sutton Lane Crossing & Station St Carpark

• Preliminary design and internal review completed.
• Proposed layouts submitted for next stage approval such as the Local Traffic Committee for consideration at the mid-April meeting.
• Proposed layouts will be provided to external stakeholders such as the Access Advisory Committee in the coming weeks
• 50% detailed design is in progress.

Package 2 – Footpath Renewal and Hall frontage accessible parking

• Assessment of the existing footpath and ramps completed.
• Footpath renewal details are under review, including an arboricultural impact assessment to ensure tree viability.
• Proposed layouts will be provided to external stakeholders such as the Access Advisory Committee and BANC in the coming weeks
• Detailed construction design is in progress.

Package 3 – Govetts Leap Rd and Wentworth St crossings and the former Post Office corner Streetscape

• Layout option studies and analysis completed with various internal teams, supported by our engaged design consultancies.
• Preliminary set-out plan completed.
• 50% detailed design and cost plan is in progress.
• Proposed layouts submitted for next stage approval such as the Local Traffic Committee for consideration at the mid-April meeting.
• Proposed layouts will be provided to external stakeholders such as the Access Advisory Committee in the coming weeks

Package 4 – Neate Park and Rotary Clock Area Enhancements

• Options for the main elements of this component of the upgrade were explored and analysed, with input from internal experts and external consultants.
• Detailed surveys including location of underground services such as Sydney Water and NBN completed and design impacts/restrictions steering designs.
• Draft 50% detailed design completed for review.
• Expressions of Interest for the design of the screening feature in front of the railway building will be sought soon.

Package 5 – Govetts Leap Statue conservation

• Structural assessment of the Statue and condition assessment of the Statue exterior coating completed.
• The original construction method and material were investigated, and an initial cleaning and repair method is proposed as a starting point for engaging suitable artists/craftsmen.

Package 6 – Visitor signage and Heritage Trail

• The graphic design work for the detailed trail plaques is well progressed, along with draft specifications for manufacture and installation.
• A licensed website to host the trail map and interpretation content of the seven historical sites has been obtained.
• Draft historical background and interpretation content of the sites was completed and is under review.

The construction works are anticipated to roll out from late August to December 2023.

The consultation report summarising community responses to our survey on the plans for the first stage of upgrades for Blackheath Village Centre is now available The survey was open from 5 December 2022 to 9 January 2023.

Download the Blackheath Village Centre Community Consultation Report.

Survey now closed: Blackheath Village Centre upgrade plans

9 January 2023.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback through our online survey on the plans for the first stage of upgrades for Blackheath Village Centre. The survey was open from 5 December 2022 to 9 January 2023.

Community feedback will be collated and considered and a consultation report will be made available.

The plans follow previous community consultation as well as the community-endorsed Masterplan, that was endorsed by Council in 2018. The plans remain available for review below.

• Review the plans