Boost to community infrastructure
Ten projects valued at more than $18.7 million will be completed over three years, providing a welcome boost to infrastructure and public spaces across the City. Among the projects is a $2.5 million redevelopment of Springwood Library transforming it into a contemporary and light-filled space, with funding from the Western Parkland City Liveability Program. Other projects include Stage 2 of Glenbrook Park, Blackheath and Springwood town centre rejuvenation, and a major upgrade of walking tracks at the Eastern Scenic Escarpment. There are also significant developments planned for Wentworth Falls Lake Park, the former Lawson Golf Course, Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park, Katoomba Sports & Aquatic Centre and Buttenshaw Park at Springwood. Find out more here
Photo: Artist’s impression of the proposed children’s area at Springwood Library

Trip Advisor commends our tourist parks
Trip Advisor has awarded its sought-after certificates of excellence to Katoomba and Blackheath tourist parks, the third consecutive year both parks received awards. The parks are immersed in beautiful bushland and make the ideal base for exploring our World Heritage Area. Katoomba Falls Tourist Park is only a short walk from stunning bushwalks and iconic landmarks, such as Echo Point and the Three Sisters. Blackheath Glen Tourist Park is popular with bushwalkers and families who love its secluded bush setting beside the wildlife haven of Pope’s Glen, yet only minutes from the centre of Blackheath village with its galleries, parks, and excellent cafés. Find out more here
Photo: Blackheath Glen Tourist Park

Blue Mountains Economic Statement
We're supporting aims for a strong and sustainable economy and increased local employment, in our Economic Statement 2019-2021. This summary of Council’s current actions and strategic direction for economic growth will be used in further consultation with community groups and organisations. This provides us with useful information about challenges and opportunities for the business community and strengthens links with industry representatives. We seek to achieve economic outcomes that simultaneously achieve good social outcomes, such as training and employment options for young people encouraging them to stay in the region.
Read the Blue Mountains Economic Statement

Have you seen a koala in the Blue Mountains?
If you’ve seen a koala or other selected wildlife in the Blue Mountains, you can share your sightings in a new online survey from the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH).
Whether you see a possum on your way to school, a wombat while out working, or a koala during a bushwalk, every sighting provides valuable information.
The survey is part of the NSW Koala Strategy that will help secure the future of koalas in the wild, by tracking their movements, and follows increased sightings of koalas in various spots throughout the Blue Mountains.
The OEH survey only takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete. Click here to take part 
You can also support the Blue Mountains Koala Project by reporting any koala sightings at the Science for Wildlife website.

Improving management of Crown lands
We're adapting how we manage public lands, following recent legislation changes. Our Crown lands review will run until June 2021 and has been prompted by changes under the Crown Land Management Act 2016 and Crown Land Management Regulation 2018, which came into effect on 1 July 2018. There will be no change to the current use of land in the Blue Mountains, but the legislation seeks to improve the governance and management of Crown land across NSW. Among other things, it authorises Councils that are appointed to manage dedicated or reserved Crown land, to plan for it as if it were public land under the Local Government Act 1993. There is a significant volume of work for all NSW councils associated with implementing this change.  Get more information and maps of crown lands