Katoomba Charrette Outcomes Report - Blue Mountains City Council

Katoomba Charrette Report & Town Centre Strategy
its rear, between the elevated highway retaining wall and the building itself. This
unfortunate exposure to the highway may have come about during the highway
construction. This blank wall and empty space function as a ‘hole’ or missing face of
this key corner of Katoomba’s Town entry at Katoomba Street.
Ownership Disposition
No consultation occurred with the Gearin’s ownership about its north facade during
the Charrette, although it is understood that they are currently considering some
refurbishment and expansion.
Stakeholder Input
There was general support during the Charrette for improving the north facade of the
Gearin’s.
9.3.2 Project Design Briefs
9.3.2.1 SRA Depot Site
Development of the SRA Depot Site should comply with the following conditions:
Development should not totally eclipse deeper views to the Town Centre from the
highway, although some of the site should form an important foreground ‘entry
statement’ whose image and use is supportive of the Town Centre. Ideally this
entry statement should front right up to the corner at the Katoomba Street
intersection, so that the new building frames the deeper view of Town, and so that
it makes that intersection seem more urban by its presence and character, instead
of the present blank highway feeling (see sketch below).
This corner development should contribute in its use/s to the Town Centre, should
be related to Katoomba in some way/s, and may be two or three storeys. Uses
might include but not be limited to offices, overnight accommodation overlooking
the valley, or public meeting spaces related to the Council offices.
The building should be detailed to complement and respect historic buildings in
the Town Centre visible from the Highway in front of this site, of a high quality
worthy of its prominent site, and will all building masses (or components thereof)
and openings detailed to appear taller than they are wide.
The remainder of the site, past which people on the highway can see the Town,
should not be developed to block the view, and should ideally optimise itself for
car parking capacity, for the site occupants and/or for the other car parking uses
noted above.
The further eastern extremity of the site, where the present depot buildings sit,
may take advantage of the spectacular distant views, and could be developed to
more than one storey without compromising views from the highway, so long as
its use and construction can deal with the railway noise, and provide adequate car
parking.
9.3.2.2 Gearin’s North Facade
Improvements to the presently blank north facade of the Gearin’s Hotel should comply
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