Leura Cascades upgrade and precinct plan
Council is creating a plan for the Leura Cascades precinct to guide future upgrades that will protect the environmental and cultural values of the site, meet current and future demand, improve the experience of both residents and visitors, meet current safety and accessibility standards, improve residential amenity, and support local economic development.
Part of the Blue Mountains Southern Escarpment, the Leura Cascades precinct is a popular place for residents and a major destination for visitors. This scenic spot includes inviting waterfalls, magnificent views and a family friendly picnic area.
Nearby bushwalks includes the Fern Bower circuit walk, a track down to Bridal Veil Falls, and the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.
The Leura Cascades Recreational Precinct in undergoing an upgrade including improvements to walking tracks and accessibility.
The Leura Cascades precinct is located within the Country of the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples. We recognise that the Dharug and Gundungurra Traditional Owners have a continuous and deep connection to their Country and this is of great significance to Aboriginal people, both locally and in the region.
The $5 million Leura Cascades Recreational Precinct upgrade project is funded by the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) Program in association with the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program.
Leura Cascades Recreation Precinct upgrade works commence
Update: 13 August 2024
Work to improve the accessibility and amenity of the Leura Cascades Recreation Precinct is now underway..
The upgrades to the precinct will provide a range of enhancements, including:
- The new amenities building, with four cubicles which includes one accessible cubicle.
- An accessible picnic shelter with picnic setting and a double electric BBQ.
- Paths, ramps, steps and signage to provide access from two new accessible parking spaces.
- A new carpark will be constructed in the Upper Cascades area to consolidate parking from around the precinct and to support access to the improved facilities.
- Lighting and electrical design for the Cascades precinct, including lighting for the amenities building, parking area and track head, renewed night lit walk including under rail lighting, feature lighting of Chelmsford Bridge and other landscape features.
- Walking track upgrade in concrete, with sandstone steps, and new handrails, from the track head to the NPWS Boundary, including a new bridge across the creek.
- Stormwater management and environmental protection works including the planting of 15 new trees.
Before construction works begin, a number of identified trees have been recommended for removal, following investigations from a qualified arborist.
Following the tree work, construction of a new amenities building in the upper Cascades area will start.
With strong community support shown during the precinct planning process, Chelmsford Bridge will remain closed to public vehicle traffic after the upgrades are complete.
As an unreinforced concrete arch bridge, designed in 1912, it is of state heritage significance and reopening would require consideration of a range of risk mitigation measures that would have a negative impact on the bridge.
The $5 million Leura Cascades Recreational Precinct upgrade project is funded by the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grant Program.
The grant also partially funded the upgrade of Leura culvert in 2023, helping to better manage stormwater within this environmentally sensitive precinct.
Work on the amenities building and new picnic shelter is expected to be completed by February 2025 (weather permitting) and will be followed by construction of the new carpark and linking pathways.
The walking track and lighting upgrades will follow in due course, with specific timelines to be communicated once work programmes are finalised.
Access to the walking tracks within the Leura Cascades precinct will remain open during the construction of the amenities building. During the walking track upgrades next year, some closures will be required and communicated to the community once requirements are confirmed.
Stay up-to-date
This webpage will be progressively updated throughout the life of the project.
To keep up-to-date on the Leura Cascades Precinct Plan, please subscribe for project updates on the right of this page.
Photo credit: Ian Brown