Katoomba Charrette Outcomes Report - Blue Mountains City Council

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Katoomba Charrette Report & Town Centre Strategy 7.2.2 Housing Diversity and Affordability Katoomba’s Town Centre would flourish better with more local custom from a larger local population, if the population gain were compatible with existing development and could access the Town Centre easily. Furthermore, population gains should be diverse in household size, income and backgrounds. Presently, Katoomba’s population has more low income, more unemployed or under-employed, and more transient households than the rest of the Blue Mountains. While existing community members should not be substantially displaced, new residents should be composed more of higher income earners, who will spend more on the local shops and start new businesses, generating more jobs for the rest of the community. This employment strategy is explained much further in Section 12 of this Report. Action 7.2.2A - Revise the regulatory context to encourage a diversity of housing types and costs (including individually owned as well as short-term accommodation) within the Town Centre, including in ‘vertically mixed use buildings’ within the ‘Village Zone’ heart of town. Action 7.2.2B - Liaise with the NSW Housing Department to provide additional public housing in the town centre, particularly as a component of future redevelopment projects. Action 7.2.2C - Work with the Department of Housing and private developers to ensure an appropriate provision of affordable housing in the town centre. Action 7.2.2D - Undertake a study with residents in Katoomba to ensure the continued provision of opportunities for low cost housing. There are a many properties where these incremental improvements may take place; every property can and should do its appropriate part, according to its context and capacity. There are several key sites, many of which can accommodate residential development upstairs or in other mixed use contexts, for which the Charrette produced specific designs. Those sites are shown in the drawings in Sections 9 - 1. 7.3 Townscape Improvements 7.3.1 Private Building Facade Improvements The decline in the upkeep of building facades is significant, particularly along Main and Katoomba Streets in the Town Centre. To reverse this decline, the Charrette proposed a Private Building Facade Improvement Scheme, wherein both skilled crafts persons/painters and volunteers (especially youth) would work together to teach and learn how to refurbish the historic building facades to their original splendour. Expert advise for building owners and tenants is imperative generally to getting a successful facade upgrade for the Town Centre. During the Charrette a group of buildings, at the Top End of Town, was briefly studied. The study referred to historic photographs and other material, and proposed facade restorations and other approaches to enhancement. An approach was devised where the Council would potentially offer design advice, funding, a discount paint scheme, technical support and reference to skilled trades people and possible youth volunteers who might provide labour in return for being taught the trades. Examples of proposed facade improvements are shown below. 28
Katoomba Charrette Report & Town Centre Strategy Heritage Improvements that could occur at the top of Katoomba Street Action 7.3.1A - Encourage the restoration of heritage facades and original verandahs. A facade improvement program will be initiated to provide professional heritage and architectural advice with the potential for seed funding to assist building owners in undertaking improvements. Action 7.3.1B Support the establishment of training programs for citizens (especially youth) to develop skills in renovation and painting of heritage buildings. 7.3.2 Public Streetscape & Maintenance Improvements, Including Public Art & New Bins The Town Centre’s streetscape and maintenance have room for improvement. The existing triangular street tree planters, left over from an earlier and abandoned one-way system for Katoomba Street, have insufficient trees in number and size. Reportedly, there is not enough public seating, especially for people who have some difficulty climbing the slopes. Street lighting is reported to be insufficient, particularly in several of the adjoining lanes. The existing concrete-covered bins do not have enough capacity for the collection frequency, rubbish blows out of them when they are overfilled, and some have even been thrown through shop windows! Charrette stakeholders urged the input from local artists in Katoomba’s streetscape. The whole Town Centre will benefit if its ‘Townscape’ image can improve itself, and if these improvements can celebrate the character of the place, as interpreted through input from local artists and other stakeholders. 29
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Katoomba Charrette Outcomes Report - Blue Mountains City Council

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