Katoomba Charrette Outcomes Report - Blue Mountains City Council

Katoomba Charrette Report & Town Centre Strategy
View of the Goldsmiths Place Spa and Health Centre, in context with the station
Action 9.2 - Implement the proposed Charrette design or another development in compliance
with the Project Design Brief.
9.3 State Rail Authority (SRA) Depot Site & Gearin’s Hotel
Improvements
As drivers round the bend on the Great Western Highway from Sydney en route to Katoomba
and points beyond, their important first view of Katoomba includes in its foreground the
Gearin’s Hotel and the State Rail Authority’s (SRA) Depot site. Therefore, it was important for
the Charrette to consider this key entrance and how it might be enhanced.
9.3.1 Site Description and Influences
9.3.1.1 SRA Site, Image And View Issues
SRA Depot buildings, at the furthest eastward extremity of the site, are surplus to its
needs and can be removed or re-used. These buildings are not visible from the
highway, as they sit down below the highway cutting and can be seen over; plus trees
line the south side of the highway on a small ridge at this point. The much more
visible west end of the site is vacant and slopes more gently away from the highway,
dropping away not much more than a metre. While the absence of any buildings at
this end allows a deeper view into the Town Centre, the broad highway at this first
intersection seems to sweep drivers past Katoomba rather than encouraging them to
slow down and enter the town.
Along with having a position as an important entry statement, the site is very well
positioned to contribute as a development to the Town Centre. The site is between
the City Offices to the north and the station and Top of Town to the south. While
Katoomba Street no longer connects directly to the Town Centre for vehicles, the
traffic light and easy left turn south into Katoomba Street for cars and buses gives this
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