FAQs
Route Priority - Includes factors such as its proximity to pedestrian destinations, number of pedestrian crashes, concerns from community feedback, and general walkability deficiencies. After considering these factors and the location's proximity to a town centre or other pedestrian attractors, the priority is ranked from low to high.
Works Priority - The works priority framework incorporates both the route priority and the current safety conditions of the location. For a route to be prioritised as high, the location must have clear safety deficiencies and high levels of both vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic.
What is Active Transport?
Active transport is defined as any means of transport that does not involve the use of a motorised vehicle, this includes walking including with the use of walking aids, wheelchairs and mobility devices, cycling and riding, including e-bikes, pedal trikes, and children’s bikes with training wheels. It excludes registered vehicles, such as mopeds.
How are new path routes prioritised?
Council’s Active Transport Plan (ATP) guides the creation of new pathways and routes, that are prioritised using an assessment framework that considers a wide range of factors:
What is the Great Blue Mountains Trail?
The Great Blue Mountains Trail is a long-term vision for a walking and cycling trail across the Blue Mountains ridgeline. The Upper Mountains section is planned to eventually connect towns and key destinations from Wentworth Falls to Mount Victoria.
What is Council asking for feedback on?
Council is asking for feedback on the draft concept designs, including the proposed route, path types, crossings, rest areas, safety treatments, access, environmental considerations and over design approach. Feedback received during this consultation will help to refine the designs.
Is this the final design?
No. This is a draft concept design.
The design will be further refined following community feedback, additional technical investigations, approvals, cost planning and discussions with key stakeholders.
What area does the current project cover?
The current project covers four specific sections of the trail along Katoomba's eastern and southern escarpment, between Kiah Lookout and Narrow Neck Road. These sections link important local and visitor destinations, including Leura Cascades, Echo Point, Katoomba Falls Reserve, Scenic World, Cahill’s Lookout and Narrow Neck.
There is a planned section of the trail, between Violet Street and Glenraphael Drive, which is not currently funded as part of this project and Council is continuing to seek funding opportunities for that missing link.
Why is the project needed?
The project aims to improve safety and connectivity for people walking and riding in a busy and highly visited part of the Blue Mountains. The route connects residential areas, reserves, visitor destinations and existing paths.
The project is also part of Council’s broader Active Transport Links Program, which aims to provide safer and more sustainable links between key destinations across the Blue Mountains.
Council has received grant funding specifically to investigate the design and delivery of these routes.
Will the path be for walkers, bike riders or both?
The design includes different types of paths in different locations.
In some areas, a shared path is proposed for walkers and bike riders. In busier or more constrained areas, the design may include separated paths, dedicated pedestrian areas, cycle lanes or cyclists using the road environment.
The proposed treatments depend on the available space, safety, traffic conditions, environmental constraints and budget.
Why are shared paths proposed in some areas?
Shared paths are proposed where there is limited space or where a separated walking or cycling path is not practical, and where there is typically lower numbers of walkers and bike riders.
The route is constrained by the escarpment, roads, residential properties, vegetation, heritage areas and existing infrastructure, and the design uses a range of treatments to help make the path safer and clearer for all users.
Will traffic or parking change?
Some local traffic, road layout or parking changes may be needed in specific locations to improve safety and fit the trail within the road corridor. In certain locations, additional parking spaces may be added. Council is seeking feedback on the draft designs so these issues can be further considered as part of the next stage of design.
Will trees be removed?
The design aims to retain trees and vegetation wherever possible.
Arborist and ecological assessments have been used to help shape the proposed alignment and reduce impacts. Removal of a small number of trees assessed to be low-value is proposed in the draft design, but high-value and medium-value trees have been retained.
How is stormwater being managed?
The draft design includes water-sensitive drainage measures to help slow, spread and filter stormwater. This is important because the trail sit close to sensitive bushland and waterways.
The design aims to avoid concentrating stormwater flows into the surrounding environment.
How is the project being funded?
The current project is funded by the NSW Government, via the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program. The final scope and staging will depend on detailed design, approvals, site constraints and available budget.
What happens after consultation closes?
Council will review all feedback received and it will be used to inform the next stage of design.
An engagement summary report will be prepared and published on the project page. We recommend participants subscribe using your email address on the project page. This will ensure you receive notification as the project progresses to key milestones.