Katoomba Charrette Outcomes Report - Blue Mountains City Council

Katoomba Charrette Report & Town Centre Strategy
7.9.2 Storm Water Quality
Katoomba lies at the head of the Warragamba Dam Water Supply Catchment, and above the
sensitive natural environment of the Blue Mountains National Park. Like most established
towns, there has historically been little control or management of urban storm water run-off.
Urban storm water run-off, especially flowing through construction that disturbs ground cover,
and/or during ‘first flush’ rain storms, can adversely affect downstream water quality and/or
erode stream beds if volumes become excessive. Concern was expressed during the Charrette
for the quality of the streams downstream of Katoomba’s Town Centre. It was agreed that, to
the extent feasible, downstream storm water quality should be maintained at its present state
or better, in terms of water-born pollutants (floating litter and dissolved contaminants),
turbidity (muddy water) and volume (to mitigate excess erosion).
The Urban Runoff Control Program, a major state initiative in this regard, is underway.
Action 7.9.2 - Take measures, to the extent feasible, to maintain storm water quality in
streams affected by the Town Centre, at its present state or better, in terms of volume
(minimise erosion), water-born pollutants (floating litter and dissolved contaminants) and
turbidity (muddy water).
7.9.3 Other Impacts on the Natural Environment
The Charrette was asked to focus on the urbanised Town Centre of Katoomba, and did not
have the opportunity to address other aspects of possible concern relating to the natural
environment of Katoomba and its surrounds. These issues should be picked up in the
preparation of BMCC Draft LEP 1997.
8. ACCESS, TRAFFIC & TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENTS
8.1 Introduction & General Strategies
This section covers all proposals specifically involving access, traffic and transport strategies, and
related action plans and specific designs. If these proposals are implemented comprehensively, the
Charrette Team propose that they will improve pedestrian, vehicular and public transport access,
efficiency, safety and amenity, while reducing congestion at key intersections.
8.2 Public Transport
8.2.1 A Dedicated Echo Point - Town Centre Shuttle System & Car Park
During the Charrette there was considerable debate over the notion of a dedicated shuttle
system between Katoomba’s Town Centre and Echo Point, so that Katoomba could capitalise
better on the high visitor numbers to Echo Point.
The hourly Sydney-Katoomba train service, combined with the central location of the station
provides a good basis for enhancing public transport use to the town and from it to Echo Point.
However, relatively few tourists presently use the train to visit the Mountains, and Echo Point in
particular. Increasing public transport usage by tourists would both reduce parking pressure
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