Plum Property Great Western Highway Property Price Report

WHAT THE COMPLETION
OF THE GREAT WESTERN
HIGHWAY UPGRADE
MEANS FOR
BLUE MOUNTAINS
PROPERTY OWNERS.
Claire Schmidt-Rees, Principal & Licensed Sales Agent, Lic. No 20045232
T/A Plum Property Blue Mountains, ABN: 60 490 135 279
Mobile: 0434 105 201 Email: claire@plumpropertybm.com.au
Postal Address: PO Box 120, Hazelbrook NSW 2779
Sources for all Information and Images used within this document:
Roads & Maritime Services NSW (www.rms.nsw.gov.au), Domain Group & Domain Senior Economist Dr. Andrew Wilson (www.domain.com.au)
Claire Schmidt-Rees T/A Plum Property Blue Mountains (the agent) have endeavoured to show all statistics reported by and as listed on
publically available sources for the mentioned period. We believe this information to be accurate. Whilst all care has been taken, no
responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the whole or any part of this document. Individuals are directed to rely on their own enquiries.
Please disregard this publication if your property is exclusively listed with another agent. Data displayed is only that which has been made
publically available in the following sources: realestate.com.au, domain.com.au and rms.nsw.gov.au. We advise you seek independent advice
on your area statistics if you are thinking of buying or selling.
www.plumpropertybm.com.au

The Great Western
Highway Upgrade
Overview
The Great Western Highway Upgrade Program was a jointly funded initiative between the NSW
Government and the Federal Government, who initially committed a total of $460 million to upgrade
the Highway between Penrith and Orange. The goal of the upgrade was to improve road efficiency for
locals, tourists and long-distance freight travel, to reduce total travel times., as well as making the
road a safer, more efficient mode of transport whilst being sensitive to the Blue Mountains’ natural
environment, World Heritage status and local residents.
In 2014/2015, the Australian Government contributed another $40 million toward the upgrade,
completing the Woodford to Hazelbrook and Bullaburra to Wentworth Falls upgrades, as well as
commencing road works at Forty Bends and Hartley Valley. Maintenance funding for the Great
Western Highway of $21 million was also contributed.
In July 2015, the final section of the Great Western Highway upgrade between Ridge Street, Lawson
and Genevieve Road, Bullaburra was completed. This program of work now completes the upgrade of
the Great Western Highway to a four lane divided road between Emu Plains and Katoomba.
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Details of the Great
Western Highway Update
What the Update Involved
The upgrade of the Great Western Highway not only involved widening the highway to four lanes
between Emu Plains and Katoomba, but also undertaking highway safety improvements
between Katoomba and Mount Victoria; specifically targeting sections with poor accident
histories to provide a safe travelling environment along the Great Western Highway, reduce
travel times throughout the Blue Mountains, whilst embodying extensive consultation with the
local community to ensure impact on the environment was to a minimum. Wherever possible,
the Highway was upgraded to use the existing road corridor in place.
Completed Upgrade Features
Greater efficiency in transport tasks, a result of reduced fuel consumption due to shorter, less
steep and more direct alignments along the highway;
Reduced community impacts from a safer travelling environment due to the separation of
traffic flows, improved alignments and the separation of local and regional traffic;
Reduced community and environmental impacts by use of “best practice” technique, which
sought to limit environmental degradation, and improved maintenance programs.
The installation of a centre median and wider road shoulders, dedicated right turn lanes and
the realignment of intersections, resulting in faster travel times, reduced crash risk and
improved local access.
The building of off-road pedestrian and cycle paths to connect new pedestrian bridges
between railway stations and shops, improved bus stops and shelters to ensure a safer road
environment for all motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
Protected centre bays have been built for turning vehicles, improved drainage installed, new
full size bus stop bays built and landscaping for the full length of the project.
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Stages of the Great
Western Highway Update
The upgrade of the highway to a four lane divided road started with the bypass of Springwood in
1965, with other sections of the highway being upgraded over the past 35 years, all being
funded by both the Australian and NSW Governments.
An overview of the projects that have been completed over the last two decades include:
2000 Valley Heights: new pedestrian bridge & Warrimoo; four lane upgrade and pedestrian
bridge at railway station.
2001 Blaxland: parking improvements and pedestrian bridge to the railway station.
Faulconbridge: four lane upgrade and pedestrian bridge to the railway station.
2002 Mt Victoria: improved alignment and overtaking lane. Linden: four lane upgrade, new
bridges and pedestrian signals. Faulconbridge: parking, pedestrian and cyclist improvements.
Medlow Bath: improved alignment, replacement bridge and new signalised intersection.
2004 Katoomba: four lane upgrade, two new bridges, new traffic signals.
2005 Lapstone Hill: safety improvements, median barrier extended and wider shoulder for
cyclists. Wentworth Falls West: four lane upgrade between Falls Road and West Street, including
three improved intersections and a new off-road shared pedestrian/cyclist path.
2006 to 2009 Leura to Katoomba: four lane upgrade from Willow Park Ave, Leura to
Bowling Green Ave, Katoomba.
2010 to 2012 Lawson: four lane upgrade between Ferguson Avenue, Hazelbrook and
Ridge Street, Lawson. Wentworth Falls East: four lane upgrade between Emu Plains and
Katoomba, including the provision of service roads in some locations and direct access
driveways in others.
2014 Woodford to Hazelbrook: four lane upgrade from Station St, Woodford to Winbourne Rd,
Hazelbrook. Bullaburra West: four lane upgrade from 400 metres west of Genevieve Rd,
Bullaburra to Tableland Rd, Wentworth Falls.
2015 Bullaburra East: four lane upgrade from Ridge St, Lawson and 400 metres west of
Genevieve Rd, Bullaburra.
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What does the Great
Western Highway Upgrade
mean for Blue Mountains
Property Owners?
Blue Mountains house-price growth is strong on the back of the
highway completion!
House prices in the Blue Mountains have increased almost 20% over the past year, and
the new and improved highway in and out of the region is being credited for the growth spurt.
Wentworth Falls saw the biggest jump in prices with a 29.1% increase year-on-year.
Katoomba also saw a solid rise in prices over the last year at 21.1%. In Springwood, prices
increased 16.7% year-on-year, a house that sold for $480,000 in March 2013 was sold
again two years later for $638,000, a gain of $158,000.
One Year Growth
Blue Mountains Growth by Suburb
Median House Price
600
25
500
20
400
15
300
10
200
5
100
0
0
Wentworth Falls
Katoomba
Springwood
Winmalee
Hazelbrook
Blackheath
Blaxland
Leura
The price surge coincides with the transformation of the region’s main artery, the Great Western
Highway, from a two-lane road to a dual carriageway.
According to many local agents, the highway’s completion in July this year has resulted in an
influx of visitors to the area and interest in property has grown.
Domain Group senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson said the area would continue to grow
due to a number of factors, the main reason being affordability.
Claire Schmidt-Rees T/A Plum Property Blue Mountains (the agent) have endeavoured to show all statistics reported by and as listed on
publically available sources for the mentioned period. We believe this information to be accurate. Whilst all care has been taken, no
responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the whole or any part of this document. Individuals are directed to rely on their own enquiries.
Please disregard this publication if your property is exclusively listed with another agent. Data displayed is only that which has been made
publically available in the following sources: realestate.com.au, domain.com.au and rms.nsw.gov.au. We advise you seek independent advice
on your area statistics if you are thinking of buying or selling.
Wentworth Falls
Katoomba
Springwood
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Winmalee
Hazelbrook
Blackheath
Blaxland
Leura

What does the Great
Western Highway Upgrade
mean for Blue Mountains
Property Owners?
560
540
520
500
480
460
440
420
400
380
House Prices in the Blue Mountains
360
20
September 2010
March 2011
September 2011
March 2012
September 2012
March 2013
September 2013
March 2014
September 2014
March 2015
September 2015
“The Blue Mountains is an option for people who have been priced out of the Sydney market,”
Wilson said. “Because of the upgraded highway, which cost the NSW government $569 million,
inner-city buyers didn’t have to worry as much about the commute” he said.
As Sydney continued to grow west, the Blue Mountains was becoming more attractive.
“There’s also increased economic activity in the west and south-west suburbs, such as
Parramatta, and growing work opportunities those areas,” Dr. Wilson said.
House prices across the entire Blue Mountains region increased 19.4% over
the past year, not far off the 21.7 per cent surge Sydney experienced in the same period.
“The prices that have been achieved for some Blue Mountains
properties are unheard of - and well above the highs of the last Real
Estate boom in 2003/2004”.
Claire Schmidt-Rees T/A Plum Property Blue Mountains (the agent) have endeavoured to show all statistics reported by and as listed on
publically available sources for the mentioned period. We believe this information to be accurate. Whilst all care has been taken, no
responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the whole or any part of this document. Individuals are directed to rely on their own enquiries.
Please disregard this publication if your property is exclusively listed with another agent. Data displayed is only that which has been made
publically available in the following sources: realestate.com.au, domain.com.au and rms.nsw.gov.au. We advise you seek independent advice
on your area statistics if you are thinking of buying or selling.
www.plumpropertybm.com.au

Blue Mountains
Average Market Demand
800 people
806
700 people
669
707
700
600 people
591
500 people
462
400 people
300 people
200 people
100 people
0 people
NSW Katoomba Springwood Lawson Hazelbrook Woodford
Claire Schmidt-Rees T/A Plum Property Blue Mountains (the agent) have endeavoured to show all statistics reported by and as listed on
publically available sources for the mentioned period. We believe this information to be accurate. Whilst all care has been taken, no
responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the whole or any part of this document. Individuals are directed to rely on their own enquiries.
Please disregard this publication if your property is exclusively listed with another agent. Data displayed is only that which has been made
publically available in the following sources: realestate.com.au, domain.com.au and rms.nsw.gov.au. We advise you seek independent advice
on your area statistics if you are thinking of buying or selling.
www.plumpropertybm.com.au

Blue Mountains
Median House Prices
$500k
LAWSON
$400k
$300k
$200k
2007 2008
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
HAZELBROOK
$500k
$400k
$300k
$200k
2007 2008
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
$600k
WOODFORD
$500k
$400k
$300k
$200k
2007 2008
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
$500k
KATOOMBA
$400k
$300k
$200k
2007 2008
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
SPRINGWOOD
$500k
$400k
$300k
$200k
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Claire Schmidt-Rees T/A Plum Property Blue Mountains (the agent) have endeavoured to show all statistics reported by and as listed on
publically available sources for the mentioned period. We believe this information to be accurate. Whilst all care has been taken, no
responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the whole or any part of this document. Individuals are directed to rely on their own enquiries.
Please disregard this publication if your property is exclusively listed with another agent. Data displayed is only that which has been made
publically available in the following sources: realestate.com.au, domain.com.au and rms.nsw.gov.au. We advise you seek independent advice
on your area statistics if you are thinking of buying or selling.
www.plumpropertybm.com.au

Great Western Highway
Update Fast Facts
About 24,000 vehicles a day travel on the Blue Mountains
section of the highway. Heavy vehicles make up about 12 per cent of the traffic with more than
half the road freight transport between the central west and Sydney using the Great Western
Highway.
Community Involvement
The upgrade of the Great Western Highway in the Blue Mountains was developed
with discussions between local councils, transport and road safety associations and
community representatives. This community involvement ensured the effective planning and
decision-making of the upgrade, as well as providing the RMS with important information
on road development and maintenance proposals.
Pedestrians and Cyclists
The upgrade of the Great Western Highway will improve travel times for motorists as well as
provide a safer road environment for all users including pedestrians and cyclists.
Pedestrian safety improvements include:
New or upgraded pedestrian signals in towns.
Pedestrian refuges along some sections of the highway.
Pedestrian over or underpasses where appropriate.
Off road shared (cyclist/pedestrian) paths where appropriate.
New pedestrian bridges have been installed at Blaxland, Warrimoo, Valley Heights,
Faulconbridge, Hazelbrook, Leura and Katoomba. Cyclists benefit from all road safety
improvements along the Great Western Highway upgrade, including reduced speed limits in
towns. Other features to benefit cyclists include:
The widening of the highway.
Provision of additional overtaking lanes.
Improvement of traffic facilities at intersections crossing the highway in townships.
Provision of bicycle facilities along the highway.
Turning lanes to allow safer turns between the highway and local roads.
Elimination of dangerous bends by realigning or widening the highway.
Extra lanes and separation of opposing traffic flows.
Consistent line-marking and signposting.
The widening of bridges.
In some areas, the progressive upgrade works and maintenance will result in sealed shoulders
for cyclists, as well as connections with local cycleways in towns.
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Meet...
C laire Schmidt-R - ees
Born and raised in the Blue Mountains,
and living in Hazelbrook, Claire started
her Real Estate career in 2012, and has
since gained experience within all
aspects of the industry.
Claire established Plum Property Blue
Mountains in July 2016, with the idea
of bringing a new and fresh approach
to Real Estate in the Mountains. Her
local knowledge and strong passion
for her industry is a true asset to both
existing residents who wish to sell
their home, and those looking to move
into the area.
Claire’s genuine interest in her clients,
and her clear focus on customer
service is reflected within the diligence
with which she follows up and
communicates with her clients,
ensuring that every sale experience
not only rewarding, but as stress-free
as possible.
Claire firmly believes that the
combination of her creative and
contemporary marketing strategies,
including social media, will ensure that
she achieves exceptional results in the
sale of your most important financial
asset - your home.
So, if you’re interested in what is
happening within the local Real Estate
market, and what this means for the
value of your home, Claire would
love to hear from you!
Principal & Licensed Sales Agent
Mobile: 0434 105 201 Email: claire@plumpropertybm.com.au
www.plumpropertybm.com.au

If you’re interested in what is happening within the
local Real Estate market, and what this means for the value
of your home, Claire would love to hear from you!
Claire Schmidt-Rees, Principal & Licensed Sales Agent, Lic. No 20045232
T/A Plum Property Blue Mountains, ABN: 60 490 135 279
Mobile: 0434 105 201 Email: claire@plumpropertybm.com.au
Postal Address: PO Box 120, Hazelbrook NSW 2779
Sources for all Information and Images used within this document:
Roads & Maritime Services NSW (www.rms.nsw.gov.au), Domain Group & Domain Senior Economist Dr. Andrew Wilson (www.domain.com.au)
And Australia’s No. 1 Property Site (www.realestate.com.au)
Claire Schmidt-Rees T/A Plum Property Blue Mountains (the agent) have endeavoured to show all statistics reported by and as listed on
publically available sources for the mentioned period. We believe this information to be accurate. Whilst all care has been taken, no
responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the whole or any part of this document. Individuals are directed to rely on their own enquiries.
Please disregard this publication if your property is exclusively listed with another agent. Data displayed is only that which has been made
publically available in the following sources: realestate.com.au, domain.com.au and rms.nsw.gov.au. We advise you seek independent advice
on your area statistics if you are thinking of buying or selling.
www.plumpropertybm.com.au