Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct upgrades

Partial opening of new accessible walkway - Wentworth Falls Lake

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.

Stage 1 Upgrade works to commence

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.

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:

The Wentworth Falls Lake Precinct upgrade.

Council has been working to carefully enhance the upgrade plans for Wentworth Falls Lake, in order to deliver an expanded package of works that best support the community’s vision for this iconic recreational precinct:

Dam upgrades: upgrade of the spillways, upstream dam wall and weir infrastructure to improve control of water levels for fire protection and community resilience. An upgraded boat ramp, landscaping and staging area for emergency vehicles will also be delivered.
Accessible walkway and viewing platform: a new pedestrian bridge and viewing platform, and improvements to how visitors access the northern edge of the lake to Waratah Road.
Precinct walk: a walk around the lake and a link to Waratah Road.
Carparks: new carparks on Sinclair Crescent and Waratah Road.
Plus upgraded precinct seating, shelters and BBQ facilities.

Council is now positioned to deliver the best outcome for the community through a broad package of upgrades that not only enhance how the lake and its surroundings can be experienced, but provide increased protections from future flood and fire events.

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

Stay informed with updates on this project - click ‘Subscribe’ in the Stay informed box to the right.