Katoomba Charrette Outcomes Report - Blue Mountains City Council

Katoomba Charrette Report & Town Centre Strategy
very soon, as other revitalisation initiatives for the Top End of Town depend on the certainty of
this system being already in place or at least forthcoming by a specific date.
Joint Management and Marketing of the Echo Point/Katoomba Public Transport Link
To strengthen the public transport linkage between Katoomba and Echo Point, the Charrette
recommended that the following measures should be implemented:
provide managed parking for Shuttle patrons in the Town Centre, so visitors unfamiliar with
the parking arrangements can easily use the system;
provide themed signage for the Shuttle system;
market the Shuttle service in both the Blue Mountains and from origin points in Sydney;
link the management of parking infrastructure for both Katoomba and Echo Point,
including parking fees, to optimise the interaction between them;
promote the use of themed and interpretive public transport vehicles to add value to the
tourists’ experience.
Action 8.2.2A - Coordinate with local bus operators to provide a frequent and regular shuttle
bus service between Echo Point, the Clairveaux Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the Scenic Railway
the Katoomba town centre and Frank Walford Park. The route of this bus should provide for
visitors and consider drop-off points including the train station and the shopping precinct for
local users. This bus service should be integrated with other transport services including the
train and tour buses from Sydney.
Action 8.2.2B - Council should will work with bus operators and City-Rail to address public
transport issues including improved weekend and after-hour train and bus timetabling and
services.
8.2.3 Better Bus Stops, Especially at the Carrington Hotel
Katoomba’s weather makes comfortable bus stop shelters quite important, especially en route
between Echo Point and the Town Centre/Station, for use by locals and tourists alike.
The present bus shelter in front of the Carrington Lawn obscures viewing of the Carrington
from Katoomba Street and should be replaced with a more comfortable transparent one.
Action 8.2.2 - Redesign and reconstruct a new transparent bus shelter at the front of the
Carrington Lawn, and provide additional shelters in association with improved public
transport to Echo Point and coach and shuttle drop-off areas in the Town Centre.
8.3 Pedestrian Access & Cycle Facilities
8.3.1 ELECTRONIC PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT THE RAILWAY STATION
The railway acts as a barrier to north-south access across it for pedestrians, despite the
historic underpass, as it is seen by many as unsafe, especially at night. An electronic
pedestrian gate crossing should be installed at grade at where Katoomba Street used to cross
the railway, with good night lighting, to connect better the Town Centre to points north of the
railway. Such an improvement would likely cost less than about $200,000, which is certainly
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