Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct upgrades

Date: Saturday 8 May

Venue: Main Hall, Wentworth Falls School of Arts, corner of Adele Avenue and the Great Western Highway

Time: Public Hearing by Independent Chairperson into the categorisation of the land 10:00 till 11:00

General information drop in session 11:00 till 2:00

Please note that if you would like to make a formal verbal or written submission to the Independent Chairperson you will need to do this at the public hearing between 10am – 11am.

Alternatively, you can come to the drop-in session at any time from 11am – 2pm where Council staff will be on site to answer your questions.

If you require any further information regarding the public hearing please see the attached document entitled 'Wentworth Falls Lake Reserve Public Hearing Background Information 23 April 21'.

Note that written submissions can be made to Council anytime during the exhibition period as outlined here.

Use the submission form here.

You can view the draft documents by clicking on the links here or going to the document library.

• Draft Plan of Management
• Draft Masterplan for Wentworth Falls Lake Park

A Masterplan is a more detailed plan that guides future design to improve function and access, facilitate social activity and amenity for residents and visitors while recognising, respecting and enhancing the existing character. Masterplans must be endorsed by Council.

The Masterplan for Wentworth Falls Lake Reserve considers upgrades such as a new, accessible walkway over the spillway, improvements to the dam wall, a new, accessible viewing platform, a community kick-about space, additional picnic facilities and a new multi-purpose shelter.

A Plan of Management is a legal document to guide how the park will be managed. The POM divides the park into high level management zones (categories) reflecting their current use. Each zone will be managed for a different purpose; bushland, picnic areas or waterways. It establishes permissible uses, developments and the level of maintenance of the land. These plans must be endorsed by Crowns Land and Council.

The changes permitted by the Plan of Management will enhance the space and the way the community uses it making it easier to get around, and protect the environmental values that make it so special.

Everyone Can Play

Final Design for Replacement Play Space

Thanks to the more than four hundred people that responded to our survey in December and January, we now have the final design for the replacement play space. Council secured $200 000 through the ‘Everyone Can Play’ grant which will top up Council’s contribution of $400 000 to make this place space happen.

It will be a fun, adventurous and fully fenced area suited to its district park status. There will be equipment from both options that went on display before Christmas, including a climbing tower, lots of swings, a giant slide and incorporating inclusive elements across the whole play space.

Construction to commence in March 2021.

Read more detail about the final design of the play space in the News feed below, plus you can download the design images on the right

This proposal includes an accessible walkway over the spillway, improvements to the dam wall, a new accessible viewing platform and a new multi-purpose shelter.

The project will be funded under the Western Parkland City Liveability Program, which is part of the Western Sydney City Deal (WSCD). The WSCD is a 20 year-agreement between the Australian and NSW governments, and the eight local Councils of the Western Parkland City.

Thanks to the hundreds of people that responded to our survey, we now have the final design for the replacement play space which will include:

• Sky climbing tower with a large tunnel slide.
• Double slide coming off an elevated platform which connects to the Sky Climber via rope climbing access.
• Triple bay swing set with infant seat, 2 x traditional sash swings, small nest swing and inclusive boat seat under a shade sail.
• Bushwood balance trails and climbing nets.
• Inclusive colourful carousel.
• Sensory equipment such as infinity mirror, musical instruments and tactile interactive tunnel.
• A communication board which is a helpful tool that uses symbols and images instead of words to help kids and their carers communicate.
• Fully accessible timber decking with seating, under the tree canopy facing out toward the lake.
• There will be areas for quiet play and downtime.
• The soft fall will be an earthy colour.
• Fencing around the perimeter of the play space.
• More than 25 trees planted throughout the Wentworth Falls Lake landscape.

To see the designs please click here

Construction to commence in early March 2021.

Council secured $200 000 through the ‘Everyone Can Play’ grant which will top up Council’s contribution of $400 000 to make this happen.

The temporary soft fall patching at the kids' play space is complete and the play space reopened!

Due to consistent rain in recent weeks, the soft fall had deteriorated quickly so a temporary fence was installed while works were undertaken to make it safe again. We will continue to monitor until the new play space is ready.

We are currently fine tuning the designs for the new play space in this area after receiving some great feedback from the community in December and January. We look forward to sharing these with you later this month!

The new playground is to be built in the coming months.

Due to consistent rain in recent weeks, the soft fall at the kids' play space at Wentworth Falls Lake has deteriorated quickly. A temporary fence has been put in place, while works are undertaken this week to make it safe again.

Soft fall patching will be laid as soon as possible. It will need time to dry, and this is expected to take only a few days (depending on the weather).

We are currently fine tuning the designs for the new play space in this area after receiving some great feedback from the community in December and January. We look forward to sharing these with you later this month!

The new playground is to be built in the coming months.

Choose your play space!

Council has secured funding through the 'Everyone Can Play' Grant to replace the senior play space near the toilets. The junior pirate-ship play space will remain, as it is still in good condition.

We need you to choose your preferred option for the play space, through our survey. Both options have a nature-based style with many adventurous and inclusive elements. Let us know which option you prefer and there is some scope for mix and match, so you can also let us know which are your favourite pieces.

View Design Option 1

• Climbing tower and cargo nets between platforms
• Giant nest swing and pair of traditional swings
• Slide off platform
• Shaded decking under trees
• Tunnel

View Design Option 2

• Climbing tower and climbing trail
• Triple bay swing set with a variety of 6 swings
• Slide off climbing tower and double slide off gazebo
• Shade sail over swing set and sensory elements
• Bungalow style cubby house

You can also view the Comparison Table to see what elements are common to both options. For more information about what an Inclusive Play Space is, please read our Frequently Asked Questions.

You can also download the colouring in sheet for the kids!

The final design will take into account your preferences as well as being within the capacity of the allocated funding.

The survey is open from 11 December 2020 to 17 January 2021.

Don’t miss the chance to have your say at this popular location!