Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct upgrades

19 February 2024

Construction on the first stage of upgrades at Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct has now commenced, providing key accessibility improvements for the community.

Stage 1 includes:

• Construction of a new accessible walkway and viewing platform will run along the eastern edge of Wentworth Falls Lake.
• Formalising the carpark on Waratah Road.

Impact on community access

Access along the eastern edge of the lake will be restricted throughout the project.

Stage 1 construction areas include:

• There will be no community access to much of the east side of the lake. Initially, there will be no access to the spillway bridge and walking tracks to Waratah Road, including paths from Bellevue Rd, Apanie Ln/Lake St. However, during the first stage of construction, visitors will still be able to walk along the dam wall up to the closed spillway. When work on the dam and spillway commences, the dam wall walk will also need to close.
• The boat ramp area will be inaccessible, as it is a designated site compound and construction material will be transported across the water.
• The Waratah Road carpark will be inaccessible as this will also serve as a construction compound, before work is done to seal the area, providing four parking spaces (including one accessible space) and link it to the accessible walking path.

These areas will also need to remain closed for work to take place on the dam and spillway, which is anticipated to commence in mid to late 2024.

As works progress, areas may be progressively reopened to the community.

Further information about the upgrades is available in the information sheets below or in the document library to the right of the page.

A map showing the Stage 1 work area is available here.

Read the media release about the start of construction here.

July 2023

Below is a current update on the progress of the major parts of the lake upgrade project. This will be kept updated as work to enhance the lake precinct continues to advance.

• Dam and spillway: A detailed Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is underway and will be finalised in the coming weeks.
• Accessible walkway and viewing platform: A closed tender process is currently being conducted.
• Loop walk: Feasibility stage, with route planning and investigation underway.
  
  

More information is available the News Feed below and a series of Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the right of this page.

The next stage of the upgrade project at Wentworth Falls Lake focuses on the design of an accessible bridge that will connect to a walkway and dual viewing platform on the north side of the lake. The design follows the same footprint as the current walkway and platform.

See a large artist's impression of the new accessible walkway on the north side of the lake.

This project is part of the Wentworth Falls Lake Masterplan and Plan of Management, adopted in 2021 after extensive consultation with the community.

Our survey for this current round of community consultation closed in March 2022. Thank you to all who provided feedback!

Read Council's media release.

Download the Community Consultation Report.

The upgrade follows the construction of a brand new play space at the lake foreshore in 2021 and will be accompanied by improved pedestrian access from Blaxland Road to the lake in 2022 (see more on this project here).

We are taking community feedback on the design of the new accessible walkway and bridge that will be built at Wentworth Falls Lake, and extending the online survey until Monday 7 March.

Join us at an on-site event:

• Date: Thursday 24 February, 2022
• Time: 5-7pm
• Where: Wentworth Falls Lake

The next stage of the Wentworth Falls Lake Park upgrade is about to begin.

The focus of this upgrade is the construction of a fully accessible bridge, extending across the top of the spillway to a walkway on the north side of the lake, and featuring a dual level viewing platform.

The bridge and accessible pathway, that will be around 2 metres wide and span about 56 metres, will deliver an impressive and enhanced viewing experience of the lake for locals and visitors.

Let us know what you think of the designs via the mini survey below, by 18 February.

The new bridge will make it possible for the whole community to access one of the best vantage points from which to enjoy views over the lake.

The upgrade follows the construction of a brand new play space at the lake foreshore in 2021 and will be accompanied by improved pedestrian access from Blaxland Road to the lake in 2022 (see more on this project here).

The bridge is part of the Wentworth Falls Masterplan and Plans of Management, adopted in 2021 after extensive consultation with the community.

District Parks are high quality parks that cater to the needs of the broader community and visitors, offering a wide variety of activities and settings. There are four district parks in the Blue Mountains: Glenbrook Park, Butttenshaw Park, Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park, and Wentworth Falls Lake Park. All have received, or will receive, a major upgrade as part of the Western Parkland City Liveability Program.

Take our survey by 18 February 2022

Wentworth Falls Lake Plan of Management and Masterplan adopted by Council on Tuesday, 29 June

On 29 June 2021, following an extensive public exhibition and consultation period, Council adopted the Wentworth Falls Lake Plan of Management and Master Plan. These plans were adopted with a minor amendment relating to events.

The Council resolved that events will be limited to 500 people at any one time and will follow the events booking process which will consider noise, parking and residential amenity.

Council also resolved to prioritise a parking precinct plan for the area around the lake and to seek grants to complete the loop walk.

You can view the final Wentworth Falls Lake Plan of Management and Master Plan by clicking on these links or by going to the Document Library to the right of this page.

Blue Mountains City Council would like to thank the community for your ongoing interest and input into this important community space.

The draft Plan of Management and draft Masterplan for Wentworth Falls Lake Reserve have been slightly modified as a result of comments received during the exhibition phase. The revised versions will be presented at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, 29 June for adoption.

The Plan of Management and Masterplan documents for adoption, can be viewed by clicking on the links (bolded) or by going to the document library.

Members of the public are welcome to address this meeting either for or against any aspect of the documents. Please note that this will be your last opportunity to have input into the overall management of Wentworth Falls Lake. Other opportunities for input will arise when funding is identified and the detailed design of components is underway.

If you wish to attend the meeting, you will need to register at the Council Chambers between 6.45pm to 7.20pm on 29 June or you can download and complete the registration form here. Registrations must be sent to council@bmcc.nsw.gov.au by 4pm on the day of the Council Meeting.

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.