Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct upgrades

2 October 2024

The new accessible viewing platform and pedestrian walkway on the eastern bank of Wentworth Falls Lake is now partially open to the community, providing serene views over the water and surrounding landscape.

Community Information Sessions

The Community Consultation Outcomes report is available here.

Thank you to everyone who came along to one of our community information sessions in November 2023.

The information and design materials that were presented and discussed at the events are available below:

• An overview of the Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct upgrade work.
• The accessible walkway and viewing platform upgrade.
• Dam and spillway upgrades.
• Boat Ramp upgrades.
• The Precinct Walk.
• Parking area upgrades.
• Citywide visitor paid parking.

29 November 2024

Results from water samples taken on Wednesday, 27 November at Wentworth Falls Lake show a much reduced level of bacteria (enterococci) at the lake jetty area, meaning temporary signage advising against swimming has now been removed.

Please note that our standard advice against swimming for three days after rain still applies.

Temporary signage has been positioned at Wentworth Falls Lake to advise against swimming at this time. This is because a high bacteria (enterococci) reading was recently taken from the jetty area at the lake.

Water tested from the other side of the lake was very good.

The water testing results are not a cause for alarm but high enough to advise against swimming in the lake at the moment.

Further water samples have been taken from the lake with results expected later this week.

Blue Mountains waterways are generally healthy, and we are proud of the unique and spectacular waterholes, creeks, jetties and lakes the Blue Mountains has to offer, and we look forward to everyone enjoying a safe swimming season this summer.

Council has monitored recreational water quality in the Blue Mountains since 2002. As part of a partnership with the NSW government's Beachwatch program, the results of council’s testing program are accessible via the Beachwatch website.

Council’s monitoring allows people to access the latest weekly water quality rating so they can make informed decisions and enjoy our waterways safely.

Monitoring during spring and summer includes testing for the presence of bacterial contamination, salinity, water temperature, oxygen levels and other site observations such as stormwater drains, rubbish, leaf litter and water clarity.

Regular monitoring helps inform people about potential risks within the water and plays an important role in detecting emerging pollution problems, enabling effective stormwater and wastewater management and assessment, and highlighting areas where further work is needed.

More information about Council’s recreational water quality program is available at: bmcc.nsw.gov.au/waterquality

6 September 2024

The new accessible pathway running along the eastern edge of Wentworth Falls Lake is now partially open to the community.

From its entrance at Waratah Road, about 290 meters of the accessible path that winds along the lake shore is open for use. The path currently ends at the construction area of the new viewing platform, close to the spillway and dam.

Walkers will then need to return along the path back to Waratah Road or take the walking track up to Apanie Lane.

Please keep out of the construction area.

It’s always been the plan to progressively open parts of the lake upgrades as they’re completed and we’re thrilled to be able to invite the community to check out this section of finished work.

Thanks to the community for your patience while the work has been underway – we appreciate that it’s been inconvenient.

Work on the viewing platform and pedestrian walkway is ongoing and is currently anticipated to be completed in early October, as is the new carpark on Waratah Road.

16 May 2025

Construction on the first stage of upgrades at Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct is progressing well and work to deliver a section of the shared path (Active Transport Link) along Sinclair Crescent is set to start. Below is an update on Stage 1 of the project.

Upgrades to the shared path along Sinclair Crescent:

Construction work on a new section of the shared path (Active Transport Link) along Sinclair Crescent, parallel to Wentworth Falls Lake, will start on Monday, 20 May 2024.

This is an important piece of work that will continue the shared path along Sinclair Crescent and provide increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Construction of the shared path will be undertaken in stages. Please see the map below.

At times, construction will require one lane of Sinclair Crescent to be closed along the work area. Traffic controls will be used to help minimise disruption during these times.

The previous length of shared path running along Sinclair Crescent (to the west of the lake precinct) was completed in 2022.

Work on this new section of the path is expected to be completed in July 2024 (weather permitting).

Above: location map for shared path construction, Sinclair Crescent.

Accessible Pedestrian Walkway and Viewing Platform:

The complex work to build the new accessible pedestrian walkway and viewing platform, along the eastern edge of the lake, is well progressed and has involved materials being transferred to the construction area via barge, from the boat ramp.

The steel components of the raised pedestrian walkway and viewing platform are currently being fabricated off-site and are anticipated to arrive on site in late May/early June. To provide the necessary support for the walkway and viewing platform, the drilling and installation of 15 concrete piers has now been completed.

Environmental protection has been front of mind since construction work started and is actively being monitored as the work continues.

Currently, construction of the accessible pedestrian walkway and viewing platform is scheduled for completion in August 2024 (weather permitting).

Accessible Walkway to Waratah Road and Waratah Road carpark:

Construction of the accessible pathway that will link the accessible pedestrian walkway and viewing platform to Waratah Road and a new carpark is 50% completed. Currently, a handrail for the pathway is being manufactured off-site and two additional concrete pours for the pathway will occur during May and June.

Work on the new Waratah Road carpark is also scheduled to start in June.

As with all the lake precinct upgrade works, effective environmental controls have been put in place to reduce impact on adjacent vegetation while the work is completed, which is anticipated to be finished in August 2024 (weather permitting).

Above: 50% completed accessible pathway to Waratah Road.

Stage 2 Works - Dam, Spillway and Boat Ramp upgrades

The Request for Tender (RFT) for the dam, spillway and boat ramp upgrades at Wentworth Falls Lake is currently open and closes on Monday, 17 June.

25 July 2024

A new design solution has recently been confirmed that will address the high level of underground water that has caused flooding at the Waratah Road carpark construction area, following the recent heavy rainfalls.

Work will start back on site at the carpark by Monday, 29 July 2024 to implement the changes which will better prepare the area for future heavy rainfall events.

16 July 2024

Work on the first stage of upgrades at Wentworth Falls Lake is in full sail with another section of the shared path along Sinclair Crescent almost complete.

On Friday 19 July sandstone edging will be installed along the path (weather permitting). 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟓𝐦 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚, 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝟕𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑.𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦. Traffic controllers will be on-site to reduce disruption.

Other parts of the upgrade project at the lake are also moving ahead:

• The main steel structure for the accessible walkway and viewing platform (pictured) is being constructed with the steel posts and beams already installed.
• Concreting of the accessible walk to Waratah Road has been finished and handrails are currently being installed. This will be followed by electrostatic painting – which is weather and temperature dependent.

Both of the above upgrades are scheduled for completion at the end of August (weather permitting).

9 July 2024

Work on the eastern section of the Sinclair Crescent shared path at Wentworth Falls Lake is nearing completion.

Weather permitting, work on this part of the precinct upgrade should finish by mid-next week.

Constructing the path has involved changed traffic conditions along Sinclair Crescent and we continue to appreciate the community’s patience while the work is completed.

28 May 2024

One lane of Sinclair Crescent (in a small area parallel to Wentworth Falls Lake) will temporarily close from tomorrow morning (Wednesday, 29 May 2024).

This will allow work to continue safely on the new section of shared path, currently being constructed.

A simple traffic light system will be in place to help regulate vehicle flow. View a map of the work area here.

Constructing this piece of shared path is an important part of the Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct upgrade and will provide increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

The lane closure is expected to be in place for around five to six weeks as the path is constructed ahead of the school holiday period.

We apologise for any disruption caused and thank you for your patience.