Echo Point Reserve Plan of Management

Our survey, live from Wednesday 24 March until Sunday 18 April 2021, is the first stage of stakeholder engagement for the Echo Point Reserve Plan of Management.

Click here to take the survey.

A further opportunity for comment will be available once the draft Plan of Management is on public exhibition.

Information captured through this survey will be used to inform future master planning works for Echo Point and the wider Southern Escarpment area which includes major visitor destinations on the escarpment between Katoomba and Wentworth Falls.

We welcome you to attend a second drop-in session to provide feedback into the development of the new Plan of Management for Echo Point Reserve.

Date: Friday 9 April, 2021

Time: 1 - 3 pm

Location: Outside Echo Point Visitor Information Centre, Katoomba

The Plan of Management will capture the values and uses of the place and confirm what use and activities can occur at Echo Point into the future.

The drop-in session and associated survey is the first stage of stakeholder engagement. A further opportunity for comment will be made available once the draft Plan of Management is on public exhibition.

We welcome you to attend a drop-in session to provide feedback into the development of the new Plan of Management for Echo Point Reserve.

Date: Friday 26 March, 2021

Time: 9 - 11am

Location: Katoomba Projects Office Shop 2 Civic Arcade, Katoomba (lower level)

The Plan of Management will capture the values and uses of the place and confirm what use and activities can occur at Echo Point into the future.

The drop-in session and associated survey is the first stage of stakeholder engagement. A further opportunity for comment will be made available once the draft Plan of Management is on public exhibition.

What is a Plan of Management?

A Plan of Management (POM) is an important document which consolidates the values and significance of a place while describing what may be permitted in the future, ensuring these activities align with the values of the site.

Why do we need a POM?

The current POM for Echo Point Reserve was adopted in September 2000 and a new POM is required in line with the Crown Lands Management Act 2016 and the Local Government Act 1993.

Echo Point Reserve is of high significance and sacredness to the Gundungurra and Dharug Traditional Owners. This importance is recognised through the Three Sisters Aboriginal Place, protecting this highly sacred part of Ngurra (Country). The Plan of Management provides an opportunity to convey the cultural and spiritual significance of this special place.

Echo Point is also a critical piece of visitor infrastructure for the Blue Mountains and NSW.

Is this different to the Katoomba Masterplan?

Yes, the Katoomba Masterplan process includes three distinct investigation areas:

• Retail Centre
• Southern Tourism Area (which includes Echo Point Reserve), and
• Northern Area.

While the Echo Point Reserve POM provides a legal framework for permissible activities and land use, the Katoomba Masterplan will provide further detail (through site specific design) on the future use and development.

There is also a third upcoming distinct project, the Southern Escarpment Masterplan, which covers the visitor destinations and associated facilities for the southern side of Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls.

What information is Council seeking through this survey?

As we are drafting a values-based POM, we are seeking information on what is most important to people, e.g. recreational activities, nature-based activities, Aboriginal culture, sustainable tourism, etc. We are also trying to ascertain what the community would support as a suitable activities and uses for the site into the future and how the community currently uses the site: how frequently, for how long, etc.

What happens to information captured through the survey?

We will use the information to help us determine the values and future uses of the site. It will also be used to inform other projects that relate to this site.

After the survey is closed, will there be opportunities to comment on the POM?

There will be a further opportunity to comment once the draft POM is on public exhibition, later this year.

You can stay informed on the process and sign up for updates at: yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/echo-point-pom

When will the POM be complete?

Following the first round of consultation via the survey and direct consultation with stakeholder groups, the POM will go to Crown Lands for approval. Following that, the document will go on public exhibition, later this year.

How can I take part in the survey?

You can take part in the survey which is open until Sunday, 18 April 2021. Click here to take the survey.