South Lawson Park

27 January 2023

South Lawson Park will be temporarily closed from: MONDAY 30 JANUARY TO 5PM THURSDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2023.

This is to allow the final stage of the new path to be completed safely and to ensure that dogs can also be kept away from where pre-seal treatment will be applied along the path route.

This will be the last park closure as the upgrade work enters its final stages. Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience.

8 December 2022

Visitors to South Lawson Park will have noticed a minor readjustment to the installed fence line, on the south eastern end of the park, from the original design.

This adjustment has occurred due to the requirement to avoid a registered Aboriginal heritage site. This change was made following advice from a consulting archaeologist and according to state regulation.

While the fence line has been adjusted to avoid this culturally important area on the south eastern end of the dog off-leash area (marked A in image - approx. reduction of 283m2), it has also been further extended at the southern end to counter for this (marked B in image - approx. increase of 174m2).

This extension occurred as best as the designed and approved pathway (shown in yellow in the image) would allow, and follows feedback from the community in the last round of engagement.

Council appreciates that the adjustment may appear to be significant given the planned alignment was to run along the tree line, dividing the original two fairways. However, the final adjustment is only marginal (approx. 109m2). This is 0.2% of the new fenced off-leash area, that is still 43,290m2.

Fencing is also being installed as per the original plan to support the rehabilitation of the sensitive riparian zone, to exclude users and their animals, and to protect wildlife.

This fence formalises the environmental rehabilitation zone and will be reviewed in two years, to determine if suitable rehabilitation has occurred in this area and is sustainable. Once the upgraded park is operating as normal, we would expect the creek side of the fence to become a sanctuary for wildlife.

We are pleased to say that this project is still on track to be completed early in 2023, following earlier delays due to extreme weather.

The current upgrade of the park will create a significant recreational space that balances the needs of a wide cross-section of the Blue Mountains community. It will also ensure improved protections of the creek line, swamp and wet areas.

4 November 2022

As a long-held part of the South Lawson Park upgrade design plans, a small number of trees were removed this week on the north side of the site. The six trees (plus one dead tree) were identified for removal in 2019, as part of the upgrade design, and were felled under the close supervision of an independent arborist to ensure the work was completed safely and without damage to other nearby trees.

The six living trees that were removed will be replaced with 15 new native trees

Once the upgrade work is completed, a total of 48 new native trees will have been placed across South Lawson Park, part of over 35,000 new plantings, with an emphasis on improving protection of the creek line, swamp and wet areas.

While Council always looks at every option to reduce the impact of our activities on the natural environment, in this case a small number of trees have had to be removed.

Other locations were considered for the route of the shared path that would avoid the trees on the hill behind the old clubhouse, but there are significant and quite shallow underground sewer services running close by which made other path alignments unsuitable.

We are also working to increase accessibility for people within a particularly steep part of the park, and this presents a range of challenges in regards to the angle of paths and where they need to be located. Necessary changes to ground levels as part of the upgrade earthworks would also effect the structural root zone of some of the removed trees, making them unsafe.

An unhealthy gum tree was also removed from the nature play area as it was significantly leaning over this space being designed for children to gather.

Removal of these trees was always part of the upgrade plans and was included in the Part 5 Environmental Approval for the project.

Read the full media release.

From Monday, 31 October 2022 there will be no access to South Lawson Park from Ferris Lane. This entrance will be closed for the remainder of the upgrade works, reopening once the upgrade has been completed.

Entry into the site will be completely blocked and unsafe for pedestrian and dog access. There will also be truck deliveries down Ferris Lane to support the construction of the nature play space, terraced lawn and the final stage of the shared path.

Park users are requested to use the southern section of South Lawson Park, which has been completed.

Access to the southern section of the park remains unchanged from Wilson Street, Adelina Falls and bushwalking tracks south of Lawson Cemetery.

Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience as we complete this upgrade project.

UPDATE: Saturday, 15 October 2022

South Lawson Park has reopened now that the next stage of work for the asphalt path has been completed.

UPDATE: Monday, 10 October 2022

South Lawson Park has been temporarily closed so that the next stage of the shared path can be completed and dogs can be kept away from where pre-seal treatment has been applied in dog on-leash areas along the path route.

Council hopes this stage of works will be completed this week (weather permitting).

Park visitors may recall the pre-seal treatment, a standard part of preparing for asphalt paths was used during the construction of the first 800 metres of path in July this year. The pre-seal, while not harmful, helps the asphalt layer to adhere to the compacted road base.

Despite signage at main entry points to the park warning of the works, and the area being cordoned off with flag bunting, off-leash dogs are regularly entering the works zone in the current on-leash area. Council has received reports dogs have had to be treated over the weekend to have the pre-seal removed from their paws.

Continued wet weather has delayed covering the pre-sealing treatment with asphalt and we are hopeful this work can be completed this week.

The decision to close the park until the asphalting work can be completed is a necessary precaution and allows us to get the job done as soon as site conditions allow.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused to park users, or any stress that has been caused to dog owners. But we do need dog owners to follow signage at the park and to be mindful of any cordoned off areas in the future, or the park may have to close until the project is completed entirely.

Given the ongoing wet weather, Council has also reinforced sediment control measures and installed floating absorbent booms to contain any potential run-off from the pre-sealing treatment.

Update: Wednesday, 27 July

The first 800m of shared accessible path at South Lawson Park has now been laid.

The newly laid part of the path is cordoned off with flag bunting, so please continue to keep clear of that area.

Once again, thank you to the community for your patience while this work was completed.

Activity continues at the park with a range of plantings taking place.

PARK CLOSURE RESCHEDULED TO WEDNESDAY, 27 JULY

Persistent wet weather means that asphalting work on South Lawson Park’s new shared accessible path will not take place on Tuesday 26 July, and the park will now remain open.

The full park closure will take place on Wednesday, 27July (7am - 5pm, once again, weather permitting) to allow this work to be done.

Unfortunately, a break in the rain is needed for this part of the upgrade to be completed and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by this necessary change in plans.

What's being done during the park closure?

One of the key upgrades planned for South Lawson Park is about to get underway with the first stage of the new accessible path almost ready to be laid.

The park needs to be fully closed to the public to allow around 800m of the path to be constructed quickly and safely along the southern side of the site.

The decision to close South Lawson Park for one day is a necessary safety precaution as hot asphalt will be laid and machinery will be in operation. This would pose a significant risk of injury to an overly enthusiastic dog who ran into the work area.

A one-day closure is the safest and fastest way to see this part of the upgrade work completed.

It is anticipated that at least one further closure will be required in the future to finish what is more than 2km of accessible path in and around the park.

A pre-sealing treatment has been applied along the path route (pictured). While the work area is cordoned off with flag bunting, visitors are advised to not walk on this material. It is a little sticky, but not harmful.

The work follows additional community consultation about the park upgrades in March which showed that a majority of residents support the vision for the park and the current plans and are eager for the project to be completed.

In addition to the path, the current project at South Lawson Park will also provide:

• A fenced dog off leash area
• A nature exploration play area
• Grass terrace seating
• Water refill stations and seating throughout the park, and
• Improved protection of the creek line, swamp and wet areas by extensive bush regeneration.

An extension for the current upgrade is currently being sought from the grant body, to deliver the project by June 2023 given delays due to additional consultation and unprecedented rainfall.

Work has recommenced at South Lawson Park, following additional community consultation.

The project was paused earlier this year to seek further feedback from the community. Consultation showed that a majority of residents support the vision for the park and the current plans, and are eager for the project to be completed.

Meanwhile, stakeholders could not agree on the type of fence to be used for the dog off leash area. Respondents were split down the middle, over the two fencing options provided.

Council has decided to install the PVC chain wire fence at the site as it is viewed as more likely to be visible to wildlife in the area, with less chance of animals inadvertently running into the fence. Many from the local dog walking community also indicated a preference for this type of fencing.

The project will deliver:

• More than 2km of shared pathway – that will provide greater accessibility and amenity to the park for a wider range of people
• A fenced dog off leash area
• A nature exploration play area
• Grass terrace seating
• Water refill stations and seating throughout the park, and
• Improved protection of the creek line, swamp and wet areas by extensive bush regeneration.

Following the consultation results, Council will:

• Relocate the fence at the southern end of the park, around the bunker near the ‘Esky’ tree.
• Investigate adding an extra water station at the southern end of the park. As this would require more ground disturbance than originally proposed, the idea needs to be tested with Traditional Owners and Council’s environmental scientist. The community will be notified once this occurs and a decision has been made.
• Relocate telegraph pole seating near shade, and
• Reconfigure the proposed agility mounds so that they replicate the high point of the tee, which needs to be bisected. .

An extension for the project is currently being sought from the grant body, to deliver the project by June 2023 given delays due to additional consultation and unprecedented rainfall.

This summer, a number of intense storms and persistent wet weather presented significant challenges to the sediment control measures at South Lawson Park.

Council continues to closely monitor and assess current robust sediment controls, to ensure they are maintained. Controls were under pressure, but effective, during the natural disaster in early March.

The Environment Protection Authority earlier investigated the site, after complaints from the community, but were satisfied with Council’s sediment and erosion controls.

Download the South Lawson Park Staging Plan

Download Council's media release

Download the Community consultation report

SOUTH LAWSON PARK UPDATE – 25 February 2022

South Lawson Park Upgrade

We are seeking community feedback on the current project at South Lawson Park - until 14 March 2022.

Download our consultation fact sheets

The current works include:

• More than 2km of shared pathway – from both Ferris Lane and Wilson Street towards the new fenced dog off leash area – that will continue around as a loop walk, so all members of the community can enjoy the park
• A fenced dog off leash area that is significantly larger than the current dog off leash area, with several tracks and play zones
• A nature exploration play area
• Grass terrace seating for informal gatherings and small community events
• Water refill stations and seating throughout the park.

The Community-endorsed South Lawson Park Masterplan states the vision for South Lawson Park is to create: “A significant public resource where recreation is integrated with protection of the natural environment, community values are reflected and needs are met sustainably.”

We want to know – do you support the current vision for South Lawson Park?

That is, to create a significant recreational space that balances the needs of a wide cross-section of the community and improves the protection of nearby waterways.

We are also asking for feedback on:

• The type of fencing for the dog off leash area
• Placement of the fence line, along the southern edge of the dog off leash area
• Placement of water stations and relocated log seating.

Have your say at on-site consultation events, near the Ferris Lane entry, on:

• Friday, 4 March 11am-2pm
• Saturday, 5 March 11am-2pm
• Friday, 11 March 11am-2pm
• Saturday, 12 March 11am-2pm

Or you can also have your say online, by completing our survey below.

Please read our fact sheets about the current project before completing our survey.

Consultation fact sheets

• South Lawson Park – Community Consultation Notification
• South Lawson park – Upgrade Overview
• South Lawson Park – Community Consultation
• South Lawson Park – HAVE YOUR SAY on the Vision
• South Lawson park – Increasing the Riparian Zone
• South Lawson Park – Shared Path for all
• South Lawson Park – Dog Off Leash Area
• South Lawson Park – HAVE YOUR SAY on the Dog off Leash Area Fencing and Water Stations
• South Lawson Park – Additional Features
• South Lawson Park – Protection of the Environment

Download our consultation fact sheets

Have your say online, by completing our survey below.

SOUTH LAWSON PARK UPDATE – 10 February 2022

Sediment control works

Over recent days, Council has continued to work closely with a range of experts to ensure any issues around the preparatory earthworks at South Lawson Park are identified and addressed.

Our contractor has been busy installing extra lengths of jute mesh to restrict any further erosion around the areas prepared for the shared accessible path. All impacted areas, except where the path will be laid (a strip approximately 5 meters wide) is now covered with strips of jute mesh. This mesh has also been applied to other excavated areas along the creek perimeter and the exposed areas have been grass seeded as well.

These measures have proven very effective and there is no longer any sediment escaping the immediate area. But additional measures will be installed over the next few days to further improve the sediment management within the site, in case we receive further severe weather and rain in the coming weeks.

The mesh is designed to be left in place once laid, as it naturally and safely decomposes and leaves no trace.

Remediation of historic swampland area

During site analysis with bush regeneration and ecological professionals, it has become apparent that the muddy conditions in some parts of the site are due to a groundwater flow which has been exposed by the earthworks to level for the shared accessible path. This was not previously observable, as the design for the site was developed in 2019, at the end of an extended period of drought. The shallow groundwater conditions were not able to be predicted at that time when the ground was dry and not impacted by any visible shallow groundwater.

To effectively remediate this area, Council will work with specialist contractors who are highly experienced in operating within sensitive environmental areas.

The soft condition of the ground in these areas also requires some changes to the alignment of the shared accessible path. Council will be working through these changes in the coming days.

Supporting documentation – Review of Environmental Factors

Please see the following additional documentation, relating to the assessment of this site as part of the Review of Environmental Factors (and Part 5 Assessment):

Review of Environmental Factors

https://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/33840/widgets/192992/documents/224890

Flora and Fauna Assessment

https://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/33840/widgets/192992/documents/224889

Arborist Report

https://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/33840/widgets/192992/documents/224891

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report

https://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/33840/widgets/192992/documents/224893

Lawson Masterplan Drawings

https://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/33840/widgets/192992/documents/224893

Part 5 Assessment

https://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/33840/widgets/192992/documents/224888

Upcoming community consultation

Council officers are currently planning to run four community consultation sessions on site asap, regarding this project. The dates for these events will be publicised next week, once confirmed.

Council, like other businesses, is currently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Staff having to isolate, due to contracting COVID (or having family members who have contracted COVID).

We thank you for your patience while we finalise the dates and times for these consultation sessions.

There will be opportunities for the broad and local community to make submissions about this project at this time, either on-site or online.