Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct upgrades

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.

A draft Review of Environmental Factors (REF) regarding construction of the dam and spillway upgrades at Wentworth Falls Lake is now available.

The REF, included in the public tender documentation for the upgrades, is a draft version, based on the construction method that would have the most impact on the lake (a water drawdown). It is only provided for the purpose of capturing the risk and cost implication from procurement activities.

Council has not made a determination on what construction method will be used in the upgrade of the dam and spillway.

• View the REF here.

The REF appendices are also available at the links below:

• Appendix B - NorBE Assessment.pdf
• Appendix E1 - Biodiversity Assessment.pdf
• Appendix E2 - Addendum Report - Biodiversity Assessment Report.pdf
• Appendix F - Aboriginal Heritage Due Diligence Assessment.pdf
• Appendix G - Heritage Impact Statement.pdf
• Appendix H - Noise and Vibration Assessment.pdf
• Appendix I - Geological Assessment.pdf
• Appendix J - Traffic Impact Assessment.pdf

A note on the appendices:

• A summary of consultation feedback with relevant public agencies (Appendix D) is included within the REF.
• Appendix F2 and K are provided to tenderers on request.
• Appendix C is provided to tenderers only.

18 December 2023

Thank you to everyone who completed our feedback survey and provided their thoughts on the information and design materials presented at our recent community information sessions (and below).

All feedback will be reviewed and considered and a summary report will be provided in the new year.

27 November 2023

On Monday, 20 November 2023 the Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct Stakeholder Advisory Group convened for their first meeting.

The Advisory group is made up of nine community representatives and a number of Council’s project team who are working to deliver this important program of upgrades.

One of the key roles of the Advisory Group is to provide another channel of communication between Council and the wider community about the lake precinct upgrade process. The group acts in an advisory capacity and represents a diversity of skills, experience and interests.

Members represent the broader community and can be contacted about the lake precinct upgrade for the purpose of raising questions to Council through the Stakeholder Advisory Group meetings.

Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct Stakeholder Advisory Group members:

• Clancy Matthews: clancy@ovomalley.com
• Patricia Cree: pcree@bigpond.net.au
• Paul Grimson: pgrimsonwf@gmail.com
• Paul Robilliard: probilliard@tpg.com.au
• Ricky Spencer: r.spencer@westernsydney.edu.au
• Robert John Walters: Robert.john.walters@gmail.com
• Robin Shreeve: shreeverobin@yahoo.com.au
• Steve Hart: stevehart12@bigpond.com
• Susan Spooner: sue@spoonerwright.net

The next Advisory Group meeting will occur in the new year and a date will be communicated in advance.

Closed: Expression of Interest – Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct Stakeholder Advisory Group

27 October 2023

Thank you to everyone who submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) to join the Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct Stakeholder Advisory Group. EOI's have now closed.

We have received a very strong response.

Each EOI will now be reviewed and once the Stakeholder Advisory Group membership is finalised, those invited to join will be contacted. This will occur by 13 November 2023.