Local Strategic Planning Statement Community & Stakeholder

BLUE MOUNTAINS CITY COUNCIL

Local Strategic Planning Statement Community & Stakeholder Engagement Report

PREPARED BY Project: Consultancy Services for Community Workshop Facilitation Client: Blue Mountains City Council

Revision Status Date By Checked

A Draft 8 April 2019 AD, MS, JK JK

B Draft 24 May 2019 AD, MS, JK JK

C Draft 31 May 2019 AD, MS, JK JK

D Final 04 September 2019 AD JK

PEO P L E P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP

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PLACE STRATEGIC COMMUNITY PLACE PLACE PLACE PLANNING FACILITATION ENGAGEMENT ACTIVATION TRAINING MANAGEMENT

We are passionate about connecting people to place and place to people to create long lasting change. Contents

Project Overview 4 Site Context 5 Engagement Timeline 6 Phase 2A Community Engagement 7 Workshop Sessions 8 Future Thoughts 10 Optimistic and Concerned 11 Liveability Priorities and Performance 13 Local Character 17 Sustainability Priorities 19 Sustainability Flagging 20 Future Scenarios 23

Productivity 26 Phase 2B Stakeholder Engagement 29 Workshop Session 30 Optimistic and Concerned 32 Liveability Priorities and Performance 33 Jobs Growth 37 Local Character 39 Sustainability Flagging 40 Future Scenarios 42 Ideas for the Future 44 Phase 2C Business Engagement 45 Business Survey 46 Business Operations: Key Findings 47 Blackheath 49 Katoomba 51 Wentworth Falls 54 Lawson 56 Hazelbrook 58 Springwood 60 Blaxland 63 Glenbrook 65 Key Conclusions 67

PEO P L E P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Project Overview Project Overview

Introduction Engagement Framework

Blue Mountains City Council is undergoing strategic planning Community and stakeholder engagement has been to prepare for the next 20 years of the LGA and as part of undertaken to inform the LSPS and help to shape priorities this project, are consulting direclty with the community and for the future local character, employment, infrastructure, key local stakeholders to understand their priorities, environment, housing and social landscape of Blue perceptions and ideas for the Blue Mountains. PPandP have Mountains City Council LGA. been engaged by Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) to undertake community and stakeholder engagement for the Community and stakeholder engagement is designed to preparation of the resulting document, the Local Strategic align to the LEP review and LSPS process and supplement Planning Statement (LSPS). further targeted studies being undertaken through Council. During the public exhibition period, community engagement will seek to gain feedback on the direction Background and priorities inherent in the draft LSPS and provide a framework of feedback for the ﬁnalisation of the The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 is Statement. requiring councils in the Greater Sydney Region to undertake a review of the local environmental plans following the making of a District Plan. The Western City District Plan was released in March 2018 and requires that all councils review COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN and update their LEPs and prepare a Local Strategic engagement Planning Statement (LSPS) to align with the strategic direction of the District Plans. The statements will act as a unifying document, which will include a 20-year vision of future land use for the entire LGA. LEP REVIEW The Statement speciﬁcally addresses: • The special characteristics which contribute to local identity and shared community values to be maintained !! and enhanced Community !! How change will be managed into the future • + Workshops Strategic Framework

The four key strategic areas addressed in the Western City HOUSING LOCAL CHARACTER District Plan include Infrastructure and Collaboration, Liveability, Productivity and Sustainability. Both the LEP review and LSPS engagement processes are structured around these four key priority pillars and across each area aim to understand the public perception of: DRAFT LSPS • Key priorities • Key opportunities • Blue Mountains’ local character • Blue Mountains’ vision for the future Public Exhibition

FINAL LSPS

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 4 Project Overview Site Context

Blue Mountains City Council LGA

The LGA covers a total land area of 140,377 hectares of mostly N forested landscape on a sandstone plateau, 60 to 180 kilometres inland from central Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle. MT WILSON The stunning natural location and World Heritage status of the Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) Local Government Area (LGA) presents unique challenges in balancing sustainable MT VICTORIA economic development with conservation, responsible urban BLUE MOUNTAINS development and appropriate community development and NATIONAL PARK access. BLACKHEATH

The Blue Mountains is one of the top five tourist destinations in SPRINGWOOD Australia and is the only World Heritage Area in Australia readily LAWSON accessible by public transport from a major capital and Sydney KATOOMBA airport, the main point of entry for most international visitors to BLAXLAND Australia, making tourism a key pillar of the local economy.

BLUE BLUE MOUNTAINS The City of Blue Mountains consists of 27 individual towns and MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK villages across four key wards, set on 100km sandstone ridge NATIONAL PARK line. The LGA contains key retail centres, which service the broader LGA and the tourist economy. The majority of the LGA is populated below 50 persons per hectare.

Ward Areas Ward Areas The Blue Mountains LGA is divided between four wards: Ward 1 Ward 1 Ward 3 Ward 1 is the largest ward and as well as including more established centres such as Mount Wilson, Mount Victoria, Cr Kerry Brown Cr Daniel Myles Blackheath and Katoomba. Cr Kevin Schreiber Cr Shae Foenander Ward 2 Cr Don McGregor Cr Mick Fell Ward 2 stretches from Wentworth Falls to Faulconbridge/ Springwood, featuring centres as Lawson and Hazelbrook. Ward 2 Ward 4 Ward 3 Ward 3 area includes Springwood to Valley Heights and Winmalee. Cr Brent Hoare Cr Mark Greenhill OAM Ward 4 Cr Chris Van der Kley Cr Brendan Christie Ward 4 is centred by Blaxland and includes Genbrook, Lapstone and Mt Riverview. Cr Romola Hollywood Cr Darryl Bowling In order to effectively engage with a cross section of the Blue Mountains LGA and provide a balanced output of community opinion between geographic regions and key centres, one community workshop was held in each of the Upper, Mid and Lower regions of the LGA during Phase 2 engagement.

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS P ART N E RSHIP 5 Project Overview Engagement Timeline

Engagement for this project is being carried out with community members and stakeholders across three main phases: Phase 1 Engagement Activities undertaken by BMCC: Digital Engagement • Have Your Say Blue Mountains Website • Social Pinpoint Interactive Map Phase 1 Engagement consisted of a digital engagement tool which allowed participants to add commentary to a map of the LGA across seven key categories: • Housing and character • Environment • Transport • Culture and the Arts • Employment and Education • Tourism • General The Social Pinpoint Interactive Map tool saw a total of 192 unique Phase 1: BMCC Social Pinpoint Interactive Map responses and included an online survey seeking to understand who the respondents were, what they value about the region, and key opportunities and challenges for the future. Phase 1 Engagement has been completed and digital engagement was ﬁnalised in February 2019.

Phase 2 Engagement Activities undertaken by BMCC with PPandP: Community Engagement • 3 x Interactive Community Workshops Stakeholder Engagement • 1 x Interactive Stakeholder Productivity Workshop Business Engagement • Business Surveys Community workshops were held in each of the three main Phase 2: BMCC Community Workshop, Katoomba regions of the LGA (Upper, Mid and Lower). The purpose of the workshops was to build on Phase 1 Engagement and generate deeper discussions on topics such as Infrastructure & Collaboration, Liveability, Productivity and Sustainability. A separate workshop was held to target the business and economic opportunities in the LGA and included industry stakeholders as well as local business operators and owners. A business survey was undertaken in 8 key centres in the LGA (Blackheath, Katoomba, Wentworth Falls, Lawson, Hazelbrook, Springwood, Blaxland and Glenbrook) to understand how businesses operate within centres, how centres are perceived, and opportunities to improve in the future.

Phase 3 Engagement Activities to be undertaken by BMCC: Public Exhibition • Public Exhibition of Draft LSPS The draft LSPS will be placed on public exhibition to gain Phase 2: BMCC Productivity Workshop, Katoomba feedback from community and stakeholders on the outcome of the statement.

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 6 PHASE 2A Community Engagement

1 Phase 2 | Engagement Workshop Sessions

Blue Mountains City Council hosted a series of three community workshops facilitated by People, Place and Partnership. The workshops comprised a series of interactive dynamic activities aimed at understanding what the community considers priorities and challenges for the future of the Blue Mountains LGA. Blue Mountains City Council invited community groups and local residents to attend a two hour workshop for each area of the LGA. • The Upper Mountains session took place at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba and was attended by 16 people. • The Mid Mountains workshop took place at the Mid Mountains Community Hub, in Lawson, and was attended by 9 community members. • The Lower Mountains session took place at the Blue Mountains Community Hub in Springwood with 24 people in attendance. Workshop Sessions Introduction An overview of the LSPS and LEP review process was provided by Will Langevad and Kim Barrett from Blue Mountains City Council and an overview of the workshop activities by Jo Kelly of People Place and Partnership. Individual Activities: • Future Thoughts • Optimistic and Concerned • Liveability Priorities and Performance Small Group Activities: • Local Character • Future Scenarios • Sustainability Flagging • Productivity Flagging Wrap Up and Workshop Close

UPPER MOUNTAINS MID MOUNTAINS LOWER MOUNTAINS

BLUE BLUE MOUNTAINS MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK NATIONAL PARK

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 8 Phase 2 | Engagement Workshop Sessions

Blue Mountains City Council has undertaken a thorough and robust engagement process to inform the creation of a Local Strategic Planning Statement which responds to local needs. The Greater Sydney Commission has required Council to prepare a document which responds to the four key themes identiﬁed in the Western City District Plan: Infrastructure and Collaboration, Liveability, Productivity and Sustainability, as informed by community and stakeholder engagement. A tailored workshop approach has been created in order to provide an insight into the feedback, priorities and ideas of the local community for each theme area. Each workshop activity is based around connecting to the themes of the LSPS and creating opportunities for discussion. Additional activities were included in the sessions to address local character and future thinking for the LGA as a whole as a way to better understand community priorities and perceptions.

Upper Mountains | 03.13 Lower Mountains | 03.14 Mid Mountains | 03.16 Key Objectives • Gain a deeper understanding of issues and local needs • Explore opportunities and ideas for the LSPS

ACTIVITY A ACTIVITY B ACTIVITY C ACTIVITY D ACTIVITY E ACTIVITY F THOUGHTS LIVEABILITY LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY FUTURE OPTIMISTIC PRIORITIES AND CHARACTER FLAGGING AND SCENARIOS PRODUCTIVITY AND CONCERNED PERFORMANCE ASPIRATIONS

• Obtain a broad • Identify how • Provoke a • Understand key • Provoke • Understand the understanding core aspects of conceptual sensitive areas conversation growth potential of issues and liveability are conversation and places for about future of different business opportunities performing in around local protection change and types • Provide a medium the LGA and character • Understand potentially divisive • Understand more to express opportunities or • Examine local opportunities issues about centres and pressing ideas to build on character laterally and priorities for • Understand where the opportunities comments that these areas using metaphors sustainability participants stand inherent in tourism were not directly • Understand which and visual aids on key issues and • Explore potential in related to the areas are of a • Providing an how open they locations and workshop themes higher priority, opportunity to were to change industries for and whether the reﬂect on the innovation in the importance of qualities and future each area physicality of correlated the LGA with its current performance

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 9 ACTIVITY A.1 Phase 2 | Engagement Future Thoughts

At the beginning of each workshop, participants were asked to share their thoughts about the Blue Mountains LGA for the next 20 years. They were asked ‘When thinking about the future of the Blue Mountains, what comes to mind?’. This broad exercise was used as a ice breaking activity and gave participants an opportunity to initiate thinking about the Blue Mountains now and into the future, as well as how it may change. The diagram below represents an overview of the most consistent ideas raised by participants when considering the future of the Blue Mountains.

• Enhance the unique character of the Mountains • Stating environment as the key priority for the LGA • Vibrant, engaged community with a deep • World Heritage Area sense of place Environment • Pro-active against climate • Relaxed and safe feel change and pollution Local Character

• Balance local lifestyle • Aiming at carbon neutrality with tourism • Renewable energy

• Capitalise on and manage • Waste management tourism growth Tourism Sustainability

• Development of sporting Transport and recreational facilities / Access • Improved tracks and • Alternative and improved Infrastructure community areas road network • Increased public transport • Concerns about impact of Housing future airport / Development Economy / Centres • Concerns about changes to built form character

• Focus on local businesses • Need to attract younger that align with local population character Population Growth • Concerned about over development Governance

• Community consultation is • Addressing population promising ageing as a priority

• Concerns about population growth

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 10 ACTIVITY A.2 Phase 2 | Engagement Optimistic and Concerned

At each community workshop participants were asked what they were most ‘optimistic’ and ‘concerned’ about for the future of the Blue Mountains. The activity provided an opportunity to share their broader thoughts on the future of the LGA. Identiﬁed below is an overview of the 3 most consistent issues for each of the workshop locations.

Upper optimistic concerned Mountains Environment Housing Care for the bush Affordability Beautiﬁcation Overdevelopment Most people are optimistic about the protection of the Community Infrastructure environment and the sense of Enthusiastic Senior services community. Many participants Gathering for heritage are concerned about Tourism Environment overdevelopment, tourism Innovative tourism Water run off impacts and climate change. Capitalisation Pollution

Mid Governance Housing Mountains Master planning Poor quality development Environmental initiatives Lack of housing choice Participants are very optimistic about the community’s love for Community Environment the environment and a Young population Warragamba Dam balanced outcome for future Strong connection Bushﬁre hazards growth. People are concerned Environment Transport about the impacts of climate Biodiversity Increased freight transport change, and planning for the Trafﬁc issues future.

Lower Mountains Community Environment Climate change Most people feel positive about Community spirit Natural disasters (bushﬁres) the Council’s role in protecting Pride in the LGA the environment and the local Environment Infrastructure sense of community. Loss of amenities Participants feel concerned Awareness and passion about potential development in about the environment Growth the LGA and its impacts on Standardised planning infrastructure and environment.

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 11 ACTIVITY A.2 Phase 2 | Engagement Optimistic and Concerned

The summary below represents the key ﬁndings from the ‘Optimistic and Concerned’ activity. Most community workshop participants were optimistic about the protection of the environment and the sense of community in the LGA. Many people, however, were concerned about overdevelopment, growth and its impacts on the surrounding environment, and the LGA’s current and future infrastructure.

Community Environmental

• Engaged community • Damage to the natural environment

• Pride in the Blue Mountains • Climate change

• Pollution

Environment Housing and Development • Connection to nature as a • Affordability issues

feature of the LGA’s lifestyle • Aged housing

• Prioritisation of the environment • Lack of housing diversity

• World Heritage status • Overdevelopment

Governance Infrastructure and Transport

• Council considering local needs • Services for ageing population

• Advocating for the environment • Degradation to walking tracks

• Community facilities

• Public transport

• Road infrastructure

Tourism

• Sustainable tourism

• Economic opportunities

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 12 ACTIVITY B Phase 2 | Engagement Liveability Priorities and Performance

Participants were given a coloured worksheet with key liveability themes and asked to rate each according to how high of a priority they are and their current performance. For each liveability theme, participants were asked to specify key priorities and ideas for improvement. The liveability activity is designed to reﬂect to priorities and ideas for the future and perceive gaps in provision and need.

performance priority ofDiversity housing 12 7 choice 7

8 10 14 11 4 5 Many participants felt that 13 LOW diversity of housing choice HIGH Very Poor Poor Average Good Very should be improved to Good accomodate community • The current performance of housing • The priority for diverse housing needs while maintaining choice is considered average to good choice was deemed by the built form character of • Participants considered there to be a participants as medium to high the LGA. lack in diversity of housing choice • Some people felt that medium currently density housing should be a • Restrictions such as land availability priority and height limits are suggested as • Most participants felt the need for cause for the lack of diversity housing options for aged population, low income and young families • People also felt that built form should align with local character

performance priority Diversity 11 of housing 11 7 afordability

9 6 15 6 6 2 11 Housing aﬀordability in LOW HIGH the Blue Mountains was Very Poor Poor Average Good Very considered to be Good performing average and is • Participants were consistent in rating • Housing affordability is a medium directly inﬂuenced by a housing affordability performance as to high priority for Blue Mountain perceived lack of diversity average, while a number also felt that it residents was 'very poor’ of housing choice. • Most participants feel the need • Compared to Sydney region housing for cheaper housing options, affordability, the LGA’s is considered however some felt that there is a affordable good range of housing prices

• Participants reﬂected that there has recently been an increase in housing prices

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 13 ACTIVITY B Phase 2 | Engagement Liveability Priorities and Performance

performance priority Connections 12 within the LGA 4 15

0 7 13 16 6 0 8 Many people felt that LOW HIGH connectivity within the Very Poor Poor Average Good Very LGA is essential to avoid Good villages from becoming • Connections within the LGA are felt to • Participants grade connection isolated, and that this be performing average to good as within the LGA as a medium to ranked by participants high priority needs improving at the • • local level. Public transport was considered a key Public transport within the LGA issue in managing connectivity and and improved walkability are the especially tourism growth key priorities for connectivity • The road network within the Mountains was considered to be important

performance priority Connections 11 into the LGA 6 14

0 2 10 19 7 2 4 Connections into the LOW HIGH LGA are perceived by Very Poor Poor Average Good Very participants as medium Good to good, both for • Connections into the LGA were felt to • Participants felt that connections performance and priority. be performing well, especially the into the LGA are of a medium to Great Western Highway high priority

• Some people felt that the geographical • People felt that the accomodation characteristics of the LGA cause of tourism ﬂow through public connectivity restrictions transport should be a priority

performance priority Local 5 character 4 18 in centres

0 3 10 20 9 1 11 Local character in centres LOW HIGH is performing well and Very Poor Poor Average Good Very participants feel it should Good • Approximately 50% of the workshop • The majority of participants be considered and participants rated the performance of considered local character to be a prioritised when planning local character as good medium to high priority for the future. • People feel that the character of each • Local character in centres was felt village is different and the atmosphere to be highly important to the LGA’s of the Blue Mountains is unique economy due to its role in promoting tourism and local businesses

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 14 ACTIVITY B Phase 2 | Engagement Liveability Priorities and Performance

performance priority Arts 6 & cultural 4 16 ofering

0 3 8 24 9 0 15 The current performance LOW HIGH of the arts and cultural Very Poor Poor Average Good Very oﬀering is felt to be good Good and aligns to the rating of • Most participants agree that arts and • Arts and cultural offering is its importance as a cultural offering is performing well considered a high priority for the community medium to high priority for • The majority of people considered that the LGA. the Blue Mountains LGA is very well • Participants consider the LGA to serviced regarding infrastructure for the be an artistic community and that arts this characteristic should be

• People also felt that there are currently continuously added to in the a high range of options future

performance priority

6 opportunitiesRecreation for all age groups 2 15

3 7 10 15 8 0 16 Recreation opportunities LOW for all age groups was HIGH Very Poor Poor Average Good Very considered one of the Good highest priorities for the • Recreation opportunities were felt to be • Participants felt that recreation Blue Mountains. performing average to good as rated opportunities should be by workshop participants prioritised in the future

• Some people reﬂected that current • Particular emphasis was placed infrastructure needs upgrading and on opportunities that maintenance accomodate aged population as

• Similarly, some participants felt that well as the needs of children and tracks and play areas should be teenagers upgraded

• Swimming pools and sporting facilities were considered important to be maintained

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 15 ACTIVITY B Phase 2 | Engagement Liveability | Ideas and Actions

Participants considered ‘local character in centres’ and ‘recreation opportunities for all ages’ as the highest priorities for the future of the Blue Mountains LGA. The lowest performing area - with the highest number of participants rating it as ‘very poor’ - was housing diversity. However, this area is also considered relatively low priority, having the most participants rating its priority below medium. Participants provided thoughts and ideas for how each liveability theme could be improved and key speciﬁc ideas have been outlined below.

• Smaller block sizes to decrease costs Diversity • Low income housing options $ of housing afordability • Sustainable housing

• Improved housing choice will attract younger population • Greater concentration of aged housing in centres Diversity • Lack of supply of one-bedroom options of housing • Urban consolidation around towns choice • Accomodate different needs • Support granny ﬂats • Maintain built form

• Improved walkability - suggestion of a walking path loop in each village • Improved train service - timetables and weekend frequency • Improved road network around the mountains + • Alternative roads structure into the LGA • Greenways from centres to bushland withinConnections the LGA • Alternative public transport • Tourist oriented transport • Encourage cyclists

• Master plans to ensure local character is maintained • Development should balance growth and heritage characterLocal • Support local business to retain local character in centres • Unique character boosts economy and tourism • Concept of a city in a World Heritage Area

• Focus the identity of the Blue Mountains as an artistic hub • Provide free advertisement of cultural offerings &Arts cultural • Art opportunities for the disabled ofering • Create annual events - festivals

• Highlight the character of the mountains: connection with nature opportunities • Increase range of options, for example encourage mountain bike tracks • Connect walking paths throughout the Mountains Recreation • Maintenance of facilities and play areas opportunities • Walking paths for children for all age groups • Cater for aged population • Maintain swimming pools • Indoor recreation facilities

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 16 ACTIVITY C

Phase 2 | Engagement Local Character

Individuals were asked to select a dessert card and explain why it represented the Blue Mountains LGA. By choosing one dessert and explaining why it represents the Blue Mountains, this activity provided deep insights into how participants perceive the LGA’s current and future character. The key themes for each workshop can be found below with dessert images associated by participants to the same concepts.

Upper Mountains

• Upper Mountains participants characterised the uniqueness of the Blue Mountains based on the connection to Nature, its friendly • Connection to the • Specialty shops • Unique character community and the dynamic LGA’s natural of the villages • Natural specialty shops environment handmade food • Colourful • Connection to • Cafe and food • Accepting and bushland culture friendly • Red colour of the community sunset

• Pure air

Mid Mountains

• Workshop participants highlighted the unique geographic character of the LGA and its importance to the community lifestyle of the Blue Mountains • Creative cluster • Earthiness and • Multi-layered, connection to the unique • Some people felt that the LGA was • Engaged environment geography characterised by a creative market of community artisans and specialty shops • LGBT friendly • Simple, • Unique character wholesome between villages • People also reﬂected on the friendly community lifestyle and inclusive nature of the • Social layers community • Traditional

Lower Mountains

• Participants felt that the common thread in the Blue Mountains character is the strong landscape identity • Balance between • Connections of • Strong landscape • Many participants mentioned the indulgence and villages with identity multi-layered character of the Blue health different Mountains: the geographic layers of • Biodiversity • Community vibe - character the landscape, the uniqueness of markets, co-op • Traditional every village and the community mix organic food • Ownership - • Variety of common love of experiences the community

• Intergenerational for the Mountains

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 17 ACTIVITY C

Phase 2 | Engagement Local Character | Key Themes

Key themes that were raised during the Local Character activity are outlined below. Consistent themes have a tendency to complement each other to link to the strong identity of the Blue Mountains. The unique character is felt to arise from the different towns and shops, the distinctive landscape and the passionate community, while the healthy lifestyle is a combination of the pure environment, the friendly community and local handmade production.

Uniqueness

Variety of experiences on oﬀer throughout the diﬀerent layers of the Mountains

Discovering the unique and authentic secrets of the Blue Mountains, and the diﬀerent character of all its villages

Speciality retail and places with individual personality

Creativity

Creative and friendly community, accepting diﬀerences and varied interests, merging ages and cultural experiences

Creative shops, businesses and artistic hubs throughout the LGA

Community

Engaged community that is proud of living in the Blue Mountains

Relaxed and safe environment, where everyone knows each other - a simple and traditional lifestyle

Sense of ownership from the community towards the surrounding natural environment

World Heritage Area

Everything is connected to the Mountains and the environment with a strong sense of natural identity

Unique geographic features and biodiversity, providing pure air and healthy lifestyle

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 18 ACTIVITY E Phase 2 | Engagement Sustainability Priorities

As part of a mapping exercise focused on sustainability and environment, participants were asked to provide one ‘Sustainability Priority’ for the LGA. The graphic provided below outlines the key priorities reﬂected by participants across all three workshops.

cture ho tru us as in fr g Infrastructure Housing

in • Improve aged care • Medium density

t t infrastructure housing r o

a u • Provide cycling • Balance between n r

i infrastructure urban development s

p m • Sustainable and the World o development Heritage Area r development t • Sustainable housing - / a Transport energy, water run off c c e e n • Alternative road Tourism vi ss ro infrastructure in and ib n • Sustainable tourism ili m out of the LGA

ty e

c n • Alternative transport

l t i

m • Encourage cyclists

a and walkability

sustainability y t

e g r • Public transport c h e a n n e g e Environment Climate Change te as • Water management • Adjust infrastructure y w t i • Retain biodiversity • Planning to cope with n u and tree canopy climate change

o Energy Waste c society e • Zero carbon • Waste management g n in tourist locations a • Self-sufﬁcient using h c n renewable energy • Zero waste tio popula Community Population Change e

m growth y • Healthy slower living • Limiting population p m growth l o • Sustainable community o n y o c • Gardening workshops • Attracting younger m e en generations and t families Employment Economy • Encourage job creation • Prioritise economic growth

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 19 ACTIVITY E Phase 2 | Engagement Sustainability Flagging | Key Places

Workshop participants were asked a series of questions Q1 Important landscapes Q3 Scenic Views and around sustainability and asked to pin their responses onto and waterways Corridors a base map of the LGA. The map below highlights the locations that participants considered key to sustainability in Q2 Access to Q4 Environmental the Blue Mountains. open space Hazards

Upper Mountains

Landscapes and Access to Open Waterways Space

• Coxs River • Springwood

• Warragamba Dam • Glenbrook

• All waterways • Faulconbridge

• World Heritage National • Catalina Park

Park • Wentworth Falls • Wentworth Falls

• Narrow Neck Environmental Hazards Scenic Views and Vulnerable Places Corridors • Prince Henry Walk

• Megalong Valley • North Katoomba

• Echo Point • Waterways • Grose Valley Environmental Risks • Govetts Leap • Western Sydney Airport

• Sublime Point • The highway

Mid Mountains Lower Mountains

Landscapes and Access to Open Landscapes and Access to Open Waterways Space Waterways Space

• Wentworth Falls • Lincoln’s Rock • Grose Valley • Wentworth Falls

• Whole LGA • Lawson golf course • Blue Mountains National • Whole National Park

• Kedumba Creek Park • Grose River

• Waterways at Glenbrook • Wentworth Falls • Megalong Valley

• Katoomba airstrip Environmental • Megalong Valley • Yeaman’s Bridge Hazards • Warragamba Dam • Walking tracks Katoomba Scenic Views and Vulnerable Places • Springwood Creek Corridors • Bedford Creek • Glenbrook Gorge Environmental • Eastern escarpment • Water catchment Hazards • Sublime Point Road Mt Victoria Scenic Views and Vulnerable Places

• Bell’s Line of Road • Bush from illegal dumping Corridors • National Park area Mt Victoria • Three Sisters • Winmalee • Echo Point Environmental Risks

• Faulconbridge Lookout • Railway Springwood

• Hawkesbury Lookout • Blaxland waste facility • Lizard Rock

• Martin’s Lookout

• Pulpit Rock

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 20 ACTIVITY E Phase 2 | Engagement Sustainability Flagging | Key Findings

Workshop participants were asked a series of questions around sustainability and asked to pin their responses onto a base map of the LGA. The key responses to each of these questions are summarised below.

Which landscapes and waterways are important to protect? Why?

• Many participants felt that the protection of the LGA’s waterways should consider the system as a whole

• The revitalisation of some areas, such as Wentworth Falls Lake, Minnie Haha Falls and Narrow Neck, was considered vital to provide recreation and swimming opportunities and leverage tourism potential

• Maintenance of the wild features of the landscape was prioritised

• Some people suggested the provision of a landscape interface for people arriving in the area

• The role of the Blue Mountains water catchments and their provision of drinking water for the Sydney area was reﬂected alongside the need for protection and water quality control

• Protecting waterways against urban run-off, management of the Warragamba Dam and the revitalisation of Springwood Creek were also considered important

Which scenic view corridors and landscapes are valuable? Why?

• Some people felt that the Warragamba Dam wall rising could lead to loss of unique landscapes and points of interest from the Three Sisters across to Mount Solitary

• Escarpments were considered priorities to be preserved and housing should be limited in these areas

• Some people felt that a sense of connection to nature can be improved if vegetation enclosure is kept along the highway Some of the most unique and valuable views considered by participants included:

• Faulconbridge Lookout

• Cliff Drive

• Sublime Point

• Narrow Neck

• Jamison Valley

• Grose Valley

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 21 ACTIVITY E Phase 2 | Engagement Sustainability Flagging | Key Findings

Where should access to open space be improved? Why?

• Many people raised the maintenance of walking and cycling paths across the LGA

• Improved accessibility was suggested around the Wentworth Falls Lake and in Catalina Park

• The creation of walking paths adjacent to the highway and in town centres was raised

• Disability access in parks and sporting facilities was prioritised

• Signage in bushwalking tracks was also considered an important priority

Which areas are exposed to environmental hazards? Where and why?

• Participants raised general awareness to environmental hazards across the whole LGA as a priority, especially bushﬁre, urban run-off into the National Park, weeds, pollution and waste

• Warragamba Dam was raised as a latent environmental hazard

• Most participants brought attention to potential hazards that need to be considered in planning for the future including pollution caused by the airport and coal mining

• Blaxland was considered by some participants an area that needs attention regarding waste management

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 22 ACTIVITY F

Phase 2 | Engagement Future Scenarios

Participants were given a ‘paddle’ with ‘I could see that here’ on one side and ‘Not for us’ on the other, then presented with hypothetical future scenarios and asked to indicate whether they think these scenarios should happen in the Blue Mountains. Isee Could that here This activity aims to provoke discussion around the community’s key issues and see that here priorities in future challenges. A summary of the key themes that people felt that they I Could could see in the LGA is outlined below, organised by each workshop session.

Upper Mountains • Participants were receptive about most future scenarios Colbusinessaborative precincts Ageingpopulation • All participants agreed on the need for As people begin to live to 100 With the growth in popularity of the or older, should we start to plan education precincts in the LGA to cater for sharing economy and more mixed use services and connectivity in this medium density neighbourhoods, will the younger population - participants region specifcally for seniors? shared economic workspaces and suggested university satellite campuses and businesses be suitable for the LGA? the reuse of existing facilities • Youth employment is also highly welcomed for the future of the Blue Mountains and employment was considered a priority for the overall population Pedestrianstreets SustainableTourism Mid Mountains As a City of the Arts, should As the LGA continues to be a national • ‘Fresh local food’ was welcomed by we open our streets and roads to destination, can sustainable tourism people for temporary events and initiatives be a key feature of the participants who considered that it was celebrations? tourism industry here? Council’s role to provide land for this use, even if it meant giving up public space

• Participants felt ‘shared facilities’ would beneﬁt the Blue Mountains community, and that sporting facilities and libraries should be shared YouthEmployment SharedFacilities • ‘Sustainable tourism’ was welcomed by all As young people look for In response to a greater participants as a potential future scenario, opportunities for work locally, demand on facilities, should would a school-to-work program we plan shared facilities which as it provides a valuable economic partnering with local industries provide for mixed uses, such as opportunity, however, people felt that it be of interest here? community groups using rooms in schools? needs strict planning as large scale accommodation could put pressure on local businesses and impact on common property

• Some people felt that accomodating Car different types of communities may not lead Educationprecincts to positive outcomes Sharing With fewer young people With a major road network choosing to live in the LGA, already in place in the area, should tertiary education Lower Mountains could car sharing and ride sharing precincts be introduced here? become more useful here? • The future scenarios that received the highest number of support were facilities for ‘ageing population’, ‘collaboration precincts’ and ‘pedestrian streets’ • ‘Collaboration precincts’ was considered a Climate scenario that could beneﬁt the community by sharing employment and providing Heat& climate change Emergencies With growing threats caused facilities for home based businesses, With extreme temperatures and by climate emergencies like partnered with improved technology weather conditions arising from bushfres, should facilities and climate change impacts, do we services for climate emergencies • Opportunities for ‘fresh local food’ were want purpose built rooms or be planned for? spaces in public areas? accepted by participants, with some suggesting hydroponic production as an efﬁcient solution for fresh food production

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 23 ACTIVITY F

Phase 2 | Engagement Future Scenarios

A summary of the key themes that people felt were not suitable for the LGA is outlined below, organised by each workshop session. fornot us fornot us

Fresh Upper Mountains Alternanivetransport Local Fod • Most participants agreed that If alternative solutions to local Responding to a need for more ‘alternative transport’ methods were public transport needs were local fresh food, could community provided which used existing farming and localised gardens not for them infrastructure such as driverless provide fresh food for people in buses, would they be popular in the LGA? • The most controversial future this LGA? scenarios were paying for waste collection and technology like bookless libraries • Participants considered that waste Climate management should start with community education on waste, Waste Emergencies As more people advocate for recycling and composting, as well as With growing threats caused by climate emergencies like a waste free future, should Council increasing the recycling collection bushfres, should facilities and take the lead and consider limiting services for climate emergencies the amount of rubbish collected from be planned for? residents and businesses in order to reduce waste? Mid Mountains

• Paying for waste collection was a deﬁnite ‘not for us’ for some Middle Mountains participants as they felt it Car should not be up to residents to take & climate change on the role of managing waste and Sharing Heat With extreme temperatures and With a major road network that there is no current strategic weather conditions arising from already in place in the area, policy. Some participants suggested climate change impacts, do we could car sharing and ride sharing want purpose built rooms or become more useful here? that the tip should be free even if spaces in public areas? Council needs to allocate more money for this area

Lower Mountains YouthEmployment • Most participants responded negatively Technology As young people look for As technology becomes more to ‘alternative transport’ methods, opportunities for work locally, advanced, can you see the LGA preparing facilities for ’climate would a school-to-work program being home to bookless libraries partnering with local industries and facilities run by technology or emergencies’ and ‘car sharing’ be of interest here? artifcial intelligence? • The most controversial future scenario was ‘alternative transport’. Participants proposed that it would relate to the quality of road conditions and interrelate to density issues

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 24 ACTIVITY F

Phase 2 | Engagement Future Scenarios | Key Themes

The majority of participants were in favour of many proposed scenarios - outlined below are the key themes arising from the ﬁndings and discussions during this activity.

Strongly Supported Scenarios

Ageing Population Providing facilities and infrastructure for the ageing population had 100% support throughout all workshops and was considered a very high priority for the future which also has implications for areas such as housing and transport.

Collaboration Precincts Collaboration precincts had a positive response by all community workshop participants especially due to the beneﬁt that it could offer to home based businesses.

Pedestrian Streets The closing of streets for pedestrian usage was felt to be something that should happen more often in the Blue Mountains LGA, provided events are for the community instead of just one group. An example of open streets that was raised was the Winter Magic event in the Blue Mountains.

Sustainable Tourism Participants welcomed sustainable tourism as a scenario that aligns with the LGA’s priorities, however the issue brought out the need for things like a housing strategy to prevent environmental issues resulting from short term accomodation. Planning and governance were considered the key to sustainable tourism in order for it to be economically viable and to reduce potential negative impacts.

Youth Employment Participants agreed on the need for youth employment through certain avenues as an excellent future scenario for the LGA, and also raised the need to cater for the local indigenous population.

Less Supported Scenarios

Alternative Transport Alternative transport was a divisive hypothetical scenario across community workshops as people felt that it would lead to higher density in the area and cause a range of issues alongside infrastructure needs. Participants were reluctant to adopt this scenario, especially when the idea of a driverless bus running in Leura was raised, as it is not aligned to the character of the area. Fresh Local Food Fresh local food received some resistance as people felt that it potentially poses the need for Council to provide land and reduce the amount of public space.

Climate Emergencies The provision of facilities for climate emergencies was unsupported by some participants, as they felt that the best response to hazards like bushﬁres is to leave the area. Some people also felt that as the Red Cross already has contingencies in place for climate emergencies, Council’s role in this area should be directed to supporting the community rather than providing facilities. Waste Waste management was a controversial scenario for all workshops as people felt that education was needed in the area to promote recycling and composting of waste. Some people also felt that the frequency of waste collection should be increased, that tips should be made free to avoid illegal dumping and that generally there is a lack of strategic policy in place regarding waste management.

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 25 ACTIVITY G Phase 2 | Engagement

Productivity | Centres

Participants were asked to consider the economy of the LGA and identify what was missing from, and where business types had growth opportunities, in and around centres. The map below outlines the key locations in which participants felt that there was potential for business types to grow alongside speciﬁc ideas raised. Many participants acknowledged that the dynamic local businesses in centres beneﬁted from the lack of major retailers.

HEALTH

• Improve hospital

TOURISM MT WILSON

• Supporting infrastructure - transport, parking, public toilets

• Sporting tourism - RETAIL mountain biking and ENTERTAINMENT MT VICTORIA extreme sports

• Accomodation supply

• Road management RETAIL BLACKHEATH in tourist areas ENTERTAINMENT COMMERCIAL RETAIL EDUCATION AGRICULTURE RETAIL SPRINGWOODENTERTAINMENT KATOOMBA ENTERTAINMENT COMMERCIAL LAWSON EDUCATION ART&CULTURE EDUCATION RETAIL RETAIL EDUCATION HEALTH TOURISM BLAXLAND • Higher education ENTERTAINMENT facilities COMMERCIAL RETAIL COMMERCIAL • Independent schools in the Upper Mountains BLUE • University campus MOUNTAINS BLUE NATIONAL PARK MOUNTAINS • Daycare options NATIONAL PARK

AGRICULTURE

• Community gardens

• Food co-ops

COMMERCIAL ART & CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT RETAIL

• Small shared ofﬁce • Retirement activities • Youth entertainment • Sustainable retail

space (dancing) plan • Higher density • Improved technology • Live performance venues • Night time economy commercial spaces

for home based • Entertainment facilities • Extreme sports - • Vintage retail business • Big venues for hire bungee jumping, skiing • Pop up shops • Co-working spaces • General artworks • Al fresco dining • Supermarkets • Business centres and workshops • Local crafts

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 26 ACTIVITY G Phase 2 | Engagement

Productivity | Tourism

Participants were asked where were the opportunities for business types to support tourism. The map below outlines the key locations in which participants felt that there was potential for business types to grow alongside speciﬁc ideas raised. Many participants considered that supporting infrastructure, such as information centres and transport would leverage business and tourism opportunities.

HEALTH

• Health facilities

TOURISM • Multi-day holiday experiences linked to MT WILSON conservation volunteering

• Marketing lesser known areas

• Captive transport for MT VICTORIA tourists

• Accomodation diversity

• Sustainable facilities BLACKHEATH

• Sustainable tourism TOURISM HEALTH • Aboriginal presence HEALTH SPRINGWOOD TOURISM • Information on local KATOOMBA ART&CULTURE fauna and ﬂora TOURISM COMMERCIAL LAWSON TOURISM • Transport linking BLAXLAND touristic spots ENTERTAINMENT

• Visiting fees TOURISM

ENTERTAINMENT TOURISM BLUE MOUNTAINS BLUE NATIONAL PARK MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK EDUCATION

• Tourist education - tourism based on the city in a World Heritage Area concept

AGRICULTURE

• Bio dynamic agriculture ART & CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT RETAIL

• Children story time • Local live music in the Boutique retail about the Blue streets COMMERCIAL Mountains • Night time economy

• Conference venues • Aboriginal local history • Extreme sports - skiing, bungee jumping, swinging ridges

• Bike hire

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 27 ACTIVITY G Phase 2 | Engagement

Productivity | Innovation

Participants were asked where were the opportunities for innovation in business types. The map below outlines the key locations in which participants felt that there was potential for business types to grow alongside speciﬁc ideas raised. Many participants reﬂected on further innovation opportunities to build on current initiatives in the LGA.

HEALTH

• Online medical assistance

• Hospital supply

• Improve existing hospital facilities

• Aged care MT WILSON

TOURISM HEALTH TOURISM MT VICTORIA • Longer stay experiences TOURISM • Boutique accomodation

• Information centres BLACKHEATH EDUCATION TOURISM • Conference and ENTERTAINMENT accomodation centres HEALTH RETAIL EDUCATION SPRINGWOOD • Ecotourism EDUCATION KATOOMBA HEALTH TOURISM HEALTH Wentworth Falls LAWSON EDUCATION ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT TOURISM EDUCATION AGRICULTURE BLAXLAND ART&CULTURE RETAIL ART&CULTURE RETAIL EDUCATION EDUCATION TOURISM ENTERTAINMENT • Aboriginal culture BLUE AGRICULTURE BLUE education MOUNTAINS TOURISM NATIONAL PARK MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK • Education focus on the Blue Mountains heritage

• Environmental research

• University campus

AGRICULTURE

• Permaculture and building on the existing Pluriversity (alternative education

model for permaculture) ENTERTAINMENT RETAIL ART & CULTURE • 'Farm gate' selling network • Live music venues • Specialty food retail • Slow food movement • Art Deco town • Bee keeping • Sporting facilities • Boutique retail • Food production with • Bike parks indigenous leadership • Cinema • Sustainable agriculture • Theatre

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 28 PHASE 2B Stakeholder Engagement

1 Phase 2 | Engagement Workshop Session

Blue Mountains City Council hosted a targeted stakeholder workshop facilitated by People, Place and Partnership. The workshop comprised a series of interactive dynamic activities aimed at understanding the current productivity of the LGA from an industry perspective, as well as priorities and challenges for the future. Blue Mountains City Council invited local businesses and industry representatives to attend a two hour workshop at Katoomba Cultural Centre on March 27th 2019. The session was attended by 16 participants.

Introduction An overview of the LSPS and LEP review process was provided by Will Langevad and Kim Barrett from Blue Mountains City Council and an overview of the workshop activities by Jo Kelly of People Place and MT WILSON Partnership. Individual Activities: • Optimistic and Concerned MT VICTORIA • Liveability Priorities and Performance

Group Activity: BLACKHEATH • Jobs Growth SPRINGWOOD Rotating Small Group Activities: KATOOMBA

• Local Character LAWSON • Future Scenarios BLAXLAND • Sustainability Flagging BLUE BLUE MOUNTAINS MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Individual Activities: NATIONAL PARK • “In the future it would be great if…" • Brand Blue Mountains Wrap Up and Workshop Close

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 30 Phase 2 | Engagement Workshop Session

As part of the engagement undertaken to inform the creation of a Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS), Blue Mountains City Council held a stakeholder workshop which was separate to the community sessions, focusing on the productivity and economy of the LGA. The workshop was designed to examine the existing local economy and identify opportunities and priorities for the future through this lens. A tailored workshop program was created based around connecting to the themes of the LSPS and applying them to business and industry in the LGA.

ACTIVITY B ACTIVITY A ACTIVITY D LIVEABILITY ACTIVITY C OPTIMISTIC PRIORITIES AND JOBS GROWTH LOCAL AND CONCERNED PERFORMANCE CHARACTER

• Obtain a broad • Identify how core aspects • Identify which industries and • Provoke a conceptual understanding of issues of liveability are performing in locations hold potential for conversation around and opportunities the LGA and opportunities or industry growth and local character increased jobs • Provide a medium ideas to build on these areas • Examine local character to express pressing • Understand which areas are • Understand the current role laterally using metaphors comments that were of a higher priority, and of centres, as well as the and visual aids industries needed to support not directly related to whether the importance of • Providing an opportunity to the workshop themes each area correlated with growth in and around each reﬂect on the qualities and its current performance physicality of the LGA

ACTIVITY E ACTIVITY F ACTIVITY G SUSTAINABILITY FUTURE IDEAS FOR THE FLAGGING SCENARIOS FUTURE

• Understand key sensitive • Provoke conversation about • Obtain a broad understanding areas and places for future change and potentially of future priorities for planning protection divisive issues • Provide an opportunity • Understand opportunities • Understand where to reﬂect on the distinctiveness and priorities for participants stand on key and proﬁle of the Blue sustainability issues and how open they Mountains LGA were to change

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 31 ACTIVITY A Phase 2 | Engagement Optimistic and Concerned

Participants were asked what they were most ‘optimistic’ and ‘concerned’ about for the future of the Blue Mountains. The activity provided an opportunity to share their broader thoughts on the future of the LGA. Identiﬁed below is an overview of the most consistent issues raised during the session. optimistic concerned Most people were concerned Most participants felt positive about business support about business growth which infrastructure and constraints is supported by the tourism to small business, as well as industry, in a sustainable the ability of infrastructure and manner that leverages the transport to keep up with the environment and local area’s growth. The balance character of the area. between urban development in the World Heritage Area was also highlighted.

Business Business • Opportunities for growth • Limitations to small business development • Niche industries • Lack of supporting infrastructure

Tourism Infrastructure • Tourism growth boosting employment • Failure to maintain current infrastructure and provide for • Opportunity to plan for tourism growth future infrastructure needs • Need for transport connections and transit

Local Character Population Growth

• Liveability in the LGA • Overdevelopment of built form and housing

• Community engagement • Integration of development with the environment

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 32 ACTIVITY B Phase 2 | Engagement Liveability Priorities and Performance

performance priority Diversity 1 of housing 1 7 choice

4 2 4 0 0 1 1 Diversity of housing choice LOW HIGH was felt to be the poorest Very Poor Poor Average Good Very performing area with the Good highest disparity, as it was • The current performance of housing • The priority of diverse housing considered by participants choice was considered average to very choice was deemed by to be a medium to high poor participants as medium to high priority. • Participants felt that there was not • Most participants feel a need for enough diversity of housing choice in housing options that especially the present to accomodate the accomodate the young and the community needs elderly

• Lack of housing choice was identiﬁed by one participant as a reason for the youth population to leave the Mountains

performance priority Diversity 0 of housing 2 4 afordability

3 4 3 0 0 1 3 Housing aﬀordability in the LOW HIGH Blue Mountains is Very Poor Poor Average Good Very performing poor to Good average and is considered • Participants are consistent in rating the • Housing affordability was a one of the highest performance of housing affordability as medium to high priority priorities for the LGA’s average future. • Geographic features of the area and lack of land availability were cited as reasons that participants considered housing affordability to be poor

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 33 ACTIVITY B Phase 2 | Engagement Liveability Priorities and Performance

performance priority Connections 1 within the LGA 2 6

3 5 2 1 0 1 2 People felt that LOW HIGH connectivity within the Very Poor Poor Average Good Very LGA needs improving at Good the local level as it is • Connections within the LGA are • Participants grade connection deemed as poor, but still performing poorly as ranked by within the LGA as a medium to participants high priority constitutes a medium to • • high priority. Public transport was cited as a key Public transport within the LGA issue in managing connectivity, was linked by participants to particularly the lack of inter-town opportunities in youth transport services employment

performance priority Connections 3 into the LGA 1 5

1 5 4 1 0 1 2 Connections into the LGA LOW HIGH were perceived by Very Poor Poor Average Good Very participants as average to Good poor while being a medium • Connections into the LGA were felt to • Participants felt that connections to high priority. have a an average to poor into the LGA are a medium to performance high priority

• Public transport was consistently • One participant also raised considered a key connectivity issue internet connectivity as an issue in the area

performance priority Local 1 character 2 4 in centres

1 2 3 7 1 0 6 Local character in centres LOW HIGH was felt to be performing Very Poor Poor Average Good Very well and participants Good reﬂected that it should be • Local character in the centres was one • The majority of participants of the best performing liveability areas considered local character to considered a high priority • The character of each village is cited as be a high priority as a tourism driver. different and the atmosphere of the • The prioritisation of ‘local Blue Mountains as unique character in centres’ aligns with its current performance, considered by participants to be vital for liveability and the visitor economy

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 34 ACTIVITY B Phase 2 | Engagement Liveability Priorities and Performance

performance priority

Arts 2 & cultural 1 ofering 9

1 3 0 10 1 0 2 The current performance LOW HIGH of arts and culture Very Poor Poor Average Good Very performance is good and Good aligns to the rating of • Arts and cultural offering has the • The area was rated as a medium participants as a medium highest rating performance in the to high priority for the community liveability activity to high priority for the LGA. • Participants consider the Blue • The majority of people felt that the Blue Mountains to be an artistic Mountains LGA has a good range of community and that existing arts and culture options talent should be leveraged and supported

performance priority

1 opportunitiesRecreation for all age groups 1 8

1 2 3 6 1 0 2 The performance and LOW priority of recreation HIGH Very Poor Poor Average Good Very opportunities align, as it is Good a medium to high priority • Recreation opportunities are • Participants felt that recreation currently performing well. considered to be well supplied, as opportunities should be rated by workshop participants prioritised in the future

• People felt that the current • Particular emphasis on infrastructure needs upgrading and supporting infrastructure and maintenance amenities to improve recreation

• Aged population and teenagers were experiences was placed the groups that participants felt needed more tailored recreation opportunities

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 35 ACTIVITY B Phase 2 | Engagement Liveability | Ideas and Actions

‘Diversity of housing affordability’ as well as ‘connections’, both within and into the LGA, were felt to be under performing areas that need improving, as they are considered to be causing issues regarding employment and accessibility. Participants provided thoughts and ideas for how each liveability theme could be improved and key speciﬁc ideas have been outlined below.

Diversity • Lack of medium density, affordable housing $ of housing afordability • Lack of housing supply

• Medium density and multiple dwellings are suggested by participants

• Accomodate the youth population to avoid it leaving the LGA ofDiversity housing choice • Improve aged housing supply

• Improve train service with more frequent services + • Need for inter town public transport services • Improve road infrastructure withinConnections the LGA • Poor internet connectivity • Parking issues

• Alternative entertainment solutions to improve centres character • Enhance the unique character of each village characterLocal • Katoomba centre needs upgrading in centres • Bigger investment in town centres

• Leverage the artistic community available in the Mountains Arts • Regulation is constraining cultural offerings & cultural • Supporting infrastructure for the arts (theatre, ofering convention space, indigenous museum)

• More relaxation areas, such as parks and tracks

• Cater for teenagers and senior groups opportunitiesRecreation for all age groups • Multiple uses for sporting areas

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 36 ACTIVITY C Phase 2 | Engagement Jobs Growth Participants were asked to pin different-sized image tiles representing different industries into a base map of the Blue Mountains LGA, identifying areas for growth in jobs. Participants pinned smaller tiles where they could see some growth and larger tiles where the industry could have larger growth. The following information represents where participants from the productivity workshop see opportunities for growth in jobs.

KATOOMBA TOURISM + HOSPITALITY

Vocational training and education for young people MT WILSON Beautifying streets and supporting small businesses Events and conferences

LAWSON MT VICTORIA HEALTH Health sector

Well located to BLACKHEATH Lower, Upper and Mid Mountians

SPRINGWOOD SPRINGWOOD KATOOMBA COMMERCIAL + OFFICE LAWSON Take advantage of airport Create a different kind of experience BLAXLAND BLAXLAND COMMERCIAL + OFFICE BLUE Revitalised centre MOUNTAINS BLUE NATIONAL PARK MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK OVERALL LGA Home-based businesses Creative businesses looking to grow Film industry

Key Factors for Jobs Growth During group discussion around jobs growth in the LGA, a number of key factors were raised which were seen to have an impact on the provision of jobs. Connectivity Infrastructure

• Connectivity in the LGA would attract • Infrastructure needs to be sustainable to business and a younger population represent the ecological identity of the • Housing choice is important for LGA, as well as support communities connectivity opportunities Business Tourism

• The look of surrounding shops affects businesses • Multi-day experiences should be promoted to • Business opportunities need to be supported extend the tourist spend by infrastructure and centres ambience • Leveraging the airport opportunity important • Vacancies in town centres detract from the appeal • Tourist attractions spread of centres across the Blue Mountains will further tourism Youth Employment Niche Industries

• The tourism industry promotes youth employment • Conference and events infrastructure can be • The LGA is losing young population due to a lack expanded in the LGA of connectivity and employment opportunities • Collaborative spaces for businesses • TAFE and education providers need to share facilities and resources were supported to support youth employment • Support for niche businesses was identiﬁed such as the ﬁlm industry and home based businesses

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 37 ACTIVITY C Phase 2 | Engagement Jobs Growth Participants were also given coloured notes on which they answered speciﬁc questions regarding centres, and located their responses onto the Blue Mountains LGA base map.

What is missing from centres? What is the identity of the centre and where are there opportunities

• Across all centres in the LGA, a need was identified for business types to support this? for a centre strategy, as well as the promotion of creative industries • Lawson was described by participants as funky, trendy • Connectivity was consistently raised as an overall issue: people felt that tracks need maintenance and signage and with high potential, given its high functionality and public transport needs improving • Springwood was considered a local town with a functional, growing vibe and night life supported by cafes and the Hub • In Katoomba, a need was identified for recreation - for retail and entertainment such as theatre, eco village • Katoomba was perceived as an Art Deco town and an attractions and indigenous attractions interesting village where people come to escape the city • Co-working and business centres were felt to be needed • Leura was deemed by participants as a pretty, quaint village in Katoomba and Blaxland with a high number of day trippers. However, some participants felt that foot traffic does not necessarily translate to sales • Parking was a key issue in centres, especially in Katoomba and Blaxland • Blaxland was felt to have a busy identity benefiting from the centre’s accessibility • People felt that Springwood lacks accommodation

From the point of view of the economy, what is working well in centres?

• The local character of the different villages was considered by participants to be working well in the different centres • The heritage and village atmosphere, with a sustainable and natural backdrop was felt to be working for Blackheath MT WILSON • Springwood Town Centre and the Hub were seen to be working well for this centre • The retail industry was considered to be working well across the LGA MT VICTORIA • People felt that community enthusiasm supports the centres • Katoomba was seen to beneﬁt from the night time BLACKHEATHBLACKHEATH economy, while at Leura, tourism is leveraging the centre ALTERNATIVE SPRINGWOOD WITH A COMMUNITY FUNCTIONAL SPIRIT COMMUTER SPRINGWOODCENTRE KATOOMBAKATOOMBA What is holding centres back? LAWSONLAWSON CBD OF THE MOUNTAINS + BLAXLANDBLAXLAND DESTINATION SMALL AND FUNKY WITH POTENTIAL • Across the whole LGA, ineffective planning is perceived WITH A MIXED ACCESSIBLE, BUSY IDENTITY CENTRE ON THE WAY by participants as a key issue delaying growth in centres UP THE MOUNTAINS • Housing and accommodation supply was raised as a BLUE MOUNTAINS BLUE consistent problem, especially in Springwood, Blaxland NATIONAL PARK MOUNTAINS and Katoomba NATIONAL PARK • Connectivity was seen to hold multiple centres back, particularly Blackheath and Katoomba • Some people felt that Blaxland needs a business precinct to attract employment opportunities • People raised issues in Katoomba with transport, housing and land owners

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 38 ACTIVITY D

Phase 2 | Engagement Local Character | Key Themes

Individuals were asked to select a dessert card and explain why it represented the Blue Mountains LGA. By choosing one dessert and explaining why it represents the Blue Mountains, this activity provided deep insights into how participants perceive the LGA’s current and future character. The key themes for the workshop can be found below with dessert images associated by participants to the same concepts.

Diversity Each village has its own character and provides diﬀerent experiences

Quirky and art deco towns compose 26 villages full of authentic surprises - the ethos of the villages can be interconnected

Vibrant Community

The status of the World Heritage Area provides a vibrancy from the diﬀerent cultures who come to visit the Mountains

The local community has eccentric layers of diﬀerent people who enjoy indulgence, and the great outdoors

Natural Beauty The area beneﬁts from an incredible natural beauty based on the escarpments and ridges of the landscape, the organic lifestyle and the total immersion in the surrounding environment

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 39 ACTIVITY E Phase 2 | Engagement Sustainability Flagging

Workshop participants were asked a series of questions around the Q1 Opportunities for Q4 Tourism impacts relationship between sustainability and tourism, and asked to pin innovation in tourism on environment their responses onto a base map of the LGA. The map below Q2 Challenges for highlights the locations that participants considered key to Q3 Sustainability innovation in tourism innovations sustainability in the Blue Mountains. beneﬁting tourism

Where are there opportunities for innovation in tourism?

• Participants considered that the majority of opportunities for innovation in the tourism industry exist in the sustainability and eco-friendly concept such as eco-camping, native based tourism and sustainability parks

• Around key centres, such as Katoomba and Springwood, tourism based on conferences and events was considered an innovative way to leverage tourism opportunities

• Alternative transport to connect key tourism attractions was considered a much needed innovation

• Hands on experiences, such as ‘agritourism’ and ‘pick and cook types’ of tourism were suggested, particularly for Megalong Valley and from Leura to Blackheath

• Mountain bike trails were considered by some participants as an opportunity for tourism as it is popular in similar natural areas and takes advantage of the unique topography

Where are there challenges for innovation in tourism?

• The main challenges for innovation were considered to be infrastructure and regulations which are delaying growth

• The relationship between the Blue Mountains City Council and the NSW National Parks was seen to cause issues regarding management boundaries

• Informed and unbiased decision making by Council was seen to be needed by some

• Participants also reﬂected that residents push back against tourism, leading to insufﬁcient private investment

• Infrastructure was felt to be needed to keep up with the tourism increase, particularly road networks

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 40 ACTIVITY E Phase 2 | Engagement Sustainability Flagging

Where are the biggest impacts on the environment from tourism?

• The biggest impacts on environment were felt to come from the increasing ﬂow of tourists and the need for supporting infrastructure to accomodate their needs

• Waste management was felt to be needed, particularly in Blaxland, Blackheath and around touristic attractions

• Participants felt that transport and parking amenities need improving

• Improvements to public toilets were also seen to be needed across the whole LGA

Where can innovations in sustainability beneﬁt and connect to the tourism industry?

• An electric tram network was suggested by participants as a sustainablity innovation to mitigate transport issues around tourist attractions in the area - Leura and Katoomba were areas suggested by participants

• Accessibility based in sustainability with alternative transport modes was raised as a potential innovation - shuttles, e-bikes and car share options were examples provided by participants

• Participants also felt that businesses should be assisted to become more sustainable

• Some participants also felt that interaction with the World Heritage Area is key to its maintenance and survival

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 41 ACTIVITY F

Phase 2 | Engagement Future Scenarios Participants were given a ‘paddle’ with ‘I could see that here’ on one side and ‘Not for us’ on the other, then presented with hypothetical future scenarios and asked to indicate whether they think these scenarios should happen in the Blue Mountains. Isee Could that here This activity aims to provoke discussion around the community’s key issues and see that here priorities in future challenges. A summary of the key themes that people felt that they I Could could see in the LGA is outlined below.

Tertiary Education Education • All participants agreed that ‘tertiary education’ would Tertiary be a positive future scenario for the LGA, particularly As the LGA seeks to retain more young people, could a large scale university campus with a specialist campus student accommodation and precincts be introduced here?

Bushﬁre Impacts Bushfre • The large majority of participants agreed that the Blue Mountains would recover from large bushﬁres, Impacts In the event of widespread infrastructure or commenting that work is being done to mitigate risks property damage from bushfres, could the LGA’s economy respond to the impact of such damage?

Accommodation • Most participants agreed on the possibility of a large scale hotel in the LGA, with some mentioning that it Accomodation may be disadvantageous With a continuing upward trend in tourist to boutique industries, while attracting bigger scale visitation, should we prioritise new large events and conventions scale hotel in the LGA?

Collaboration Precincts

• Business collaboration precincts were largely favourable for workshop participants, due to the ColaborationPrecincts need to be social work environments and the With a high number of people working supporting infrastructure such as wiﬁ that is provided from home or independently, could mixed in those spaces use shared economic workspaces be suitable in the LGA?

Sustainability

• All participants could see the Blue Mountains as an international sustainability leader, with some describing Sustainability it as an ‘inevitable’ scenario to the area With unparalleled natural attractions, should local business be expected to be • Regulations were seen as important to the realisation established as an international leader in of this idea sustainability and climate change?

Youth Employment Employment • School-to-work programs were welcomed by all YouthWith many young people leaving the LGA, productivity workshop participants as a scenario that would a school-to-work program which is already happening in the LGA requires local businesses to partner with schools/students work here? • Considering the small population of the LGA, niche based education programs were suggested

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 42 ACTIVITY F

Phase 2 | Engagement Future Scenarios

fornot us fornot us

International Tourism International • The concept of the Blue Mountains experiencing a drop- off in ‘International Tourism’ was the future scenario that Tourism got the highest number of negative reactions as people As one of Australia’s key attractions for felt it may have a strong impact in the area’s economy international tourists, could the economy of the LGA support a drop-of in interest from international visitors?

Major Supermarkets

• The introduction of further major supermarkets was a divisive scenario Supermarkets • While some participants felt that there could be Major As people seek more convenience and a need for bigger supermarkets, others defined it as choice in their shopping habits, could unnecessary additional large scale supermarkets being to operate in the LGA? • Some participants reflected that a major supermarket could benefit local employment

Business Cooperatives cooperatives • The majority of participants rejected the idea of business Busines As consumers grow more accustomed to cooperatives at the expense of the main street decline as one-stop-shop experiences, could joint they felt both could coexist cooperative business operations work for the LGA at the expense of main street trading?

Ageing Support Industries

• Ageing support industries divided participants as many were indecisive about whether it would be preferential to have aged services over education precincts AgeingSupport Industries

• It was largely accepted as a niche industry that is needed As people begin to live to 100 or older and the in the area ageing population increases, should the LGA prioritise becoming an innovator in aged care • Education was considered by some to be better for services at the expense of an education facility? social infrastructure and have the potential to support aged care services in one facility

Technology Industry Industry • Even though the majority of participants supported the Technology introduction of technology company headquarters, many With an economic boost often occurring participants rejected the idea as a result of the establishment of large companies, is the LGA an appropriate location • The need for infrastructure was seen as a constraint to for the the headquarters of a major tech this scenario, while some felt that liveability could also be company? affected

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 43 ACTIVITY G Phase 2 | Engagement Ideas for the Future

Participants were asked to individually complete the following statement about the next 20 years in the Blue Mountains: ‘It would be great if… in the future’.

ucation ed Sustainability

• World leader in sustainability carbo • Carbon neutrality n n eu Infrastructure t • Zero waste ra l it Entertainment and Tourism y • Multi-day walking track that links towns and attractions

• Night economy t en m Community y lo Sustainability • Holistic approach to the Blue Mountains towns and p

e differences m t e s a h Infrastructure

t w u o • Creative industries

o r

y Comercial ze • Education b u Business and Commercial s i n • Business hub es s n h i Entertainment • Youth employment u g b h m t is e r c u o to no my

Participants were also asked to individually answer ‘What will be the brand of the Blue Mountains in the next 20 years?’.

ness lder Sustainability wi • Accessible wilderness • Sustainable living • Ecological with a fun or sophisticated spin eative se cr ns Sustainability or Colourful l y i v • Great food in g • Quirky towns • Sensorial • Creative Colourful • Exciting Pure • Slow down g n ti • ci Boutique Pure ex • Untouched m e d • Meaningful a e n h in c • Clean g ou ful unt

PEO P L E P L A CE & Engagement Report P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 44 PHASE 2C Business Engagement

PEO P L E P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Phase 2C | Business Survey

Business Survey A business survey was conducted by People, Place and Partnership aimed at understanding key centres across the Blue Mountains LGA and how businesses operate within them. A total of 193 responses were gathered from main street business across 8 centres over 4 days (2nd-4th April 2019 and 15th May 2019). Businesses were asked to respond to four broader questions about the centre on a short feedback form, while 64 businesses conducted a longer digital survey regarding their business operations, business history and their relationship with the centre. Over the 2nd-4th April, a total of 34 businesses in Blackheath, 47 businesses in Katoomba, 16 businesses in Wentworth Falls, 22 businesses in Lawson, 39 businesses in Springwood, 23 businesses in Blaxand and 12 businesses in Glenbrook were surveyed. On the 15th May, an additional 15 businesses were surveyed in Hazelbrook.

• Business name, location, type and sector • The role of the respondent • Employee numbers • Leasing/ownership arrangement • The duration of the business in its current location, reason for choosing that location and whether they expect to remain there for the next 3 years • The origin of their typical costumer • Business performance in the past 3 years, as well as in the future 3 to 5 years - regarding business turnover, profit, employment numbers and footfall • The biggest barriers to growth the business is expected to face in the future • The centre’s character in one word, both by day and by night • The level of satisfaction with the centre • The centre’s business mix and the sufficiency BLACKHEATH of different business types • Various aspects of the centre and how these impact on the business, such as footfall, SPRINGWOOD stream of new costumers, public transport, KATOOMBA premises and parking LAWSON • The centre’s current performance regarding attractiveness, public domain, sense of HAZELBROOK community and safety, offer for visitors, special BLAXLAND events and parking provision WENTWORTH • Ideas to improve the town centre FALLS GLENBROOK BLUE • Local Chamber membership and awareness of BLUE MOUNTAINS MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK the Council’s business resources NATIONAL PARK • Interest in joining Council’s business database A total of 142 feedback forms were completed where businesses were asked: • What are you optimistic about in the future of the centre? 15 Businesses • What are you concerned about in the future of Surveyed 39 Businesses the centre? Surveyed • What does the region needs to improve in the 16 Businesses business environment? Surveyed • In this centre it would be great if… 47 Businesses 22 Businesses 12 Businesses A summary of business responses is outlined on Surveyed Surveyed Surveyed the following pages. Information relating specifically to business operations and performance summarises the data provided by all 34 Businesses 23 Businesses respondents, while information relating to specific Surveyed Surveyed centres has been organised according to location.

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 46 Phase 2C | Business Survey Business Operations: Key Findings

4.8% OTHER 1.6% TOURISM 4.8% PUB OR NIGHTCLUB 8% HEALTH & BEAUTY

14.5% RESTAURANT /CAFE

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• Specialist retail and convenience retail make up E SECTOR

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• There is a trend for independent stand alone A 19.3 E AL SS R

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• More than 85% of businesses employed a NUMBERNUMBER OFOF EMPLOYEESEMPLOYEES OWN | LEASE maximum of 10 employees • Most businesses leased their properties with local 58.658.6%% 29.329.3%% 88%% 1.31.3%% 2.6% real estate agents 26.3% own • Most businesses are well established in centres - approximately 42% have been in the same location for more than eleven years • Most respondents felt that there has been some business growth in the last 3 years, with around 72.2% 25% of businesses new to centres lease • For most respondents, the last 3 years has seen a small positive change in business turnover, profit 0-5 6-10 11-20 21-30 +30 and footfall 0-50-5 6-106-10 11-2011-20 21-3021-30 +30 • Most business see no change in employment numbers in the past and do not expect it to HOWHOW LONGLONG HASHAS THETHE BUSINESSBUSINESS LEASING AGENT change in the future BEENBEEN ININ THETHE TOWNTOWN CENTRECENTRE • Most respondents predict a small significant 20.520.5%% 21.921.9% change in business profit and turnover in the next 20.5% 21.9% 3 to 5 years 1616%% 1717%% • Many respondents expected a significant positive 57.4% change in footfall in business in the future 13.613.6%% locallocal realreal estate agent • Many respondents felt their biggest barriers to 9.59.5%% growth to be the high cost of overheads and 9.5% metropolitan commercial rents, the accessibility of the centre they are in 23% commercial 23 agent and a lack of staff <1<1 1-31-3 3-53-5 6-106-10 11-2011-20 +20 19% owner 19% managed yearsyears

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 47 Phase 2C | Business Survey Business Operations: Key Findings

WHY THIS LOCATION?

• Many respondents chose their business location for its convenience, whether they IN A $ lived locally or saw the premises as an BUDGET available opportunity locally • Size and budget also had an impact on NO COMPETITION BIGGERlive location choice premises OPPORTUNITY location + availability

CUSTOMERS COME FROM....

SYDNEY - WIDE % Mainly Local • For most businesses, around 75% of typical .7 7 49 costumers were either local or from across the Blue Mountains NATION - WIDE % %

. • Many participants also stated that their 6 customers contained a well balanced mix of INTERNATIONAL tourists and locals 9 %

ACROSS THE % MOUNTAINS 24.6

REMAINING IN THE PREMISES (for the next 3 years)

• Almost 90% of businesses stated that they 87% yesnot planning on moving did not intend to move from the premises • Of those planning to relocate, the majority were planning to close their business 5.4% planning to close business 4.1% other/unsure 2.6% expanding premises or downsize NO

LOCAL CHAMBER MEMBERS

31.8% yes no 68.2% • A higher majority of participants were not members of their local business chamber nor were they aware of Council’s business KNOWLEDGE ABOUT COUNCIL RESOURCES resources

31.9% yes no 68.1%

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 48 Phase 2C | Business Survey

BLACKHEATH 34 Businessi Surveyed Daytime Night Described as a friendly, busy and safe centre, the centre could be Friendly Quiet improved with better parking, more nightlife, business diversity and Comunity Dining shops Safe Busy Business Mix

• There was seen to be a good mix of ‘food shops’ and ‘restaurants’ by almost all respondents in Blackheath

How satisﬁed are you with • A desire for increased business diversity in Blackheath was the Town as a Place to raised by some respondents, along with bank services and do Business? music venues

VERY SATISFIED SATISFIED Centre Performance • Most respondents were either ‘satisﬁed’ or ‘very satisﬁed’ NEITHER UNSATISFIED with Blackheath as a location for their business

• Respondents were consistent in considering Blackheath an attractive centre with good amenities, community and events

• Parking provision was considered an issue and it is not adequate for the centre Agree or Disagree?

SENSE OF IDENTITY/COMMUNITY Business Mix

ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO SPEND TIME FOOD SHOPS GOOD TOO MUCH COMPREHENSIVE OFFER FOR CUSTOMERS

OTHER RETAIL PROVIDES A SENSE OF SAFETY GOOD NOT ENOUGH

GOOD SIGNAGE/WAYFINDING FACILITIES BUSINESS SERVICES GOOD SPECIAL EVENTS NOT ENOUGH

GOOD QUALITY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN PERSONAL SERVICES GOOD NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH ADEQUATE PARKING PROVISION RESTAURANTS GOOD TOO MUCH

CULTURE & RECREATION GOOD NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH EVENING LEISURE GOOD NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 49 Phase 2C | Business Survey

Ideas for improvement

Parking & Traﬃc Streetscape & Public Space

• Better road structure • Tree cover improved and diversiﬁed

• Improved parking provision • Public seating Beautification Disabled parking Maintenance of public domain + MAINTENANCE • • • New parking bays and lines • Facilities for tourists

PARKS • Pedestrian crossing and safety • Beautiﬁcation

improve FOOTPATHS PARKING LIGHTNING more BUILDINGS EVENTS festivals Entertainment Business markets • LGBT events • Promote the area BANK services • Diversity in cafes and restaurants • Business mix diversiﬁcation DIVERSITY Restaurant • Specialty shops • Supermarket MORE Shops + MUSIC

What are you concerned about Centre Impacts for the future of the centre? Parking provision Parking Pedestrian safety All respondents considered Impacts of trucks and the ‘high level of footfall’ and road works ‘loyal customer base’ to be GROWTH beneficial aspects for business Decreasing population downtown Blackheath’s businesses and absence of change Council planning and communication Governance STREETSCAPE &PUBLIC SPACE The ‘steady stream of new Public spaces not maintained customers’, ‘links to business and community networks’ and ‘good transport links were also considered What are you optimistic about for the future of the centre? beneficial by most respondents Village feel Friendly community Comunity Promote tourism The lack of availability in the centre of suitable premises and TOURISM parking issues were seen Public Transport to negatively impact on Promotion of BUSINESS shopping destination Blackheath’s businesses PARKING Variety of business and prices & TRAFFIC Improved parking and traffic flow

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 50 Phase 2C | Business Survey

KATOOMBA 47 Businessi Surveyed Daytime Night Katoomba was felt to have Touristy Quiet a good mix of services and Diverse Empty restaurants and local Dead businesses felt satisﬁed with Busy how the centre was performing

Participants felt the need How satisﬁed are you with the Town as a Place to for enhanced nightlife and do Business? opportunities for the young

VERY SATISFIED SATISFIED population

NEITHER UNSATISFIED

Character Business Mix • While characterised as very dynamic during the day, Katoomba was perceived by respondents as a dead and quiet centre at night Business Satisfaction FOOD SHOPS GOOD • Most respondents were satisﬁed or very satisﬁed with Katoomba NOT ENOUGH as a place to do business in TOO MUCH Business Mix

• ‘Business services’, ‘food shops’, ‘restaurants’ and ‘culture and OTHER RETAIL recreation’ are considered by participants to be well represented GOOD business types NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH • ‘Evening leisure’ was felt to be underperforming and ‘nightlife’ was considered by many respondents to be lacking in Katoomba BUSINESS SERVICES • Music and entertainment venues were suggested to improve GOOD Katoomba’s business mix NOT ENOUGH • Youth-focused businesses are also felt to be needed TOO MUCH

PERSONAL SERVICES GOOD NOT ENOUGH LOW QUALITY

RESTAURANTS GOOD NOT ENOUGH

CULTURE & RECREATION GOOD NOT ENOUGH

EVENING LEISURE GOOD NOT ENOUGH

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 51 Phase 2C | Business Survey

Katoomba is perceived as an Agree or Disagree? attractive, community-focused SENSE OF IDENTITY/COMMUNITY and safe centre that needs beautiﬁcation and maintenance ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO SPEND TIME to ensure that its appearance aligns with its unique local COMPREHENSIVE OFFER FOR CUSTOMERS character

PROVIDES A SENSE OF SAFETY New Ideas

• Respondents gave ideas for the centre consistently based around enhancing its visual character and GOOD SIGNAGE/WAYFINDING FACILITIES improving infrastructure

• Catering for the youth population in Katoomba was frequently referred to as a much needed idea for the ADEQUATE PARKING PROVISION centre

• Respondents felt that parking should be improved and provision supplied for those who work in local SPECIAL EVENTS businesses

• Public seating, bins and public communal spaces were prioritised to be upgraded

GOOD QUALITY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN • Respondents felt that events and markets would be a drawcard for the centre

• Beautiﬁcation of the main street and town centre buildings to align with Katoomba’s unique character was also proposed

NEW Centre Performance NEW IDEAS IDEASMost respondents agreed with statements about Katoomba’s character,Beautification sense of community and + MAINTENANCEoffering beter ACCESS Many respondents disagreed with statementsPUBLIC SEATING Beautification + MAINTENANCE regarding the quality or supply of infrastructurePARKING beter

andIMPROVE ‘special events’ provisionOPEN SPACE ACCESS PUBLIC SEATING BINS Buildings POTS PARKING OPEN SPACE LIGHTNING IMPROVE Centre Impacts BINS more Buildings POTS LIGHTNING EVENTSThe most beneficial aspects of Katoomba for beter respondentsnightlife were the loyal costumer base along more SUPPORT withmarkets a steady stream of new costumers, links to EVENTS networks and a high levelBUSINESS of footfall nightlife beter ENGAGEMENT SUPPORT focus markets Parkingentertainment issues, transport disruptionsyouth and the cost BUSINESS COMMUNITYand suitability of premisesevents were considered to be ENGAGEMENT detractors by some entertainment youth focus COMMUNITYevents

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 52 Phase 2C | Business Survey

What are you optimistic about for the future of the centre?

Promote tourism growth Potential as tourism destination Maintain Katoomba’s unique character Tourism Natural surroundings Village, artisan feel CHARACTER Vibrant, artistic culture Comunity Growth Small business support BUSINESS Business growth Food culture ENTERTAINMENT

Festivals Winter Magic

What are you concerned about for the future of the centre?

Lack of business diversity Decreasing footfall numbers More major chains Busines Lack of employment Businesses closing down GROWTH Growth decrease

Increasing rent costs affordability

Maintenance of Katoomba’s feel and look PARKING character & TRAFFIC Traffic around bridge and roundabout Parking provision and monitoring

Ideas for improvement

Parking & Traffic Tourism Streetscape & Public Space Business • Parking provision, especially • Attract tourism to • Building beautification • Cooperation between near train station town centre • Public seating, bins provision, business and community • Parking for workers public toilet and footpaths • Enhance shopfronts • Enhanced traffic flow, maintenance • No food chains especially around the railway • Parks for families • Health and beauty services bridge • Upgrade whole town centre • More diverse businesses • One way streets to avoid • Signage for main points of traffic congestion interest and parking

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 53 Phase 2C | Business Survey

WENTWORTH FALLS 16 Businessi Surveyed

Daytime Night Wentworth Falls is described as a busy and eclectic centre, needing Busy Quiet more entertainment opportunities, Slepy especially at night, as the centre Eclectic becomes a quiet and sleepy place Diverse Fod Focused

Business Mix How satisﬁed are you with • All respondents felt that there is a good mix of food shops, the Town as a Place to while many felt that more of all other business types were do Business? needed • Specialty, diverse shops and nightlife businesses, including VERY SATISFIED SATISFIED restaurants and pubs were considered by respondents to be lacking in the centre NEITHER UNSATISFIED Centre Performance

• All respondents agreed that a ‘comprehensive offer for costumers’, ‘sense of safety’ and ‘good quality of public domain’ were present in Wentworth Falls Agree or Disagree? • All survey respondents were either ‘satisﬁed’ or ‘very COMPREHENSIVE OFFER FOR CUSTOMERS satisﬁed’ with Wentworth Falls as a place to do business • Special events and parking were not considered to be adequately provided in the centre by many respondents PROVIDES A SENSE OF SAFETY Business Mix

GOOD QUALITY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN FOOD SHOPS GOOD

SENSE OF IDENTITY/COMMUNITY OTHER RETAIL GOOD NOT ENOUGH ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO SPEND TIME

BUSINESS SERVICES GOOD GOOD SIGNAGE/WAYFINDING FACILITIES NOT ENOUGH

SPECIAL EVENTS PERSONAL SERVICES GOOD ADEQUATE PARKING PROVISION NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH

RESTAURANTS GOOD NOT ENOUGH

CULTURE & RECREATION GOOD NOT ENOUGH

EVENING LEISURE GOOD NOT ENOUGH

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 54 Phase 2C | Business Survey

Ideas for improvement

Parking & Traﬃc Tourism

• Improved parking • Improved signage

• Limited period parking • Tourist information centre

• Tourism parking • Tourist board RESTAURANTS + • Promote tourism PUBS nightlife PARKING Entertainment Business cafe's • Markets • Restaurant diversity SHOPdiversity • Nightlife • Enhance shop visibility SPECIALTY • Events

What are you concerned about Centre Impacts for the future of the centre? Lack of support for Busines All respondents considered small business ‘good public transport links’ and a ‘loyal customer base’ GROWTH as beneficial aspects of Wentworth Falls Accessibility to older people AgedPOPULATION

PARKING & TRAFFIC The ‘steady stream of new Parking provision near train station costumers’, ‘complementary businesses located nearby’ and ‘availability of suitable What are you optimistic about premises’ were also seen for the future of the centre? to benefit businesses Business diversity Local and village feel Busines All respondents considered Entertainment parking issues to have Night markets CHARACTER Buskers a negative impact on businesses in Wentworth Promote development and tourismGROWTH Falls STREETSCAPE &PUBLIC SPACE Public domain provision

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 55 Phase 2C | Business Survey

LAWSON 22 Businessi Surveyed Lawson is described as Daytime Night an eventful centre with potential Friendly Quiet Respondents were satisfied with Lawson’s local character and Eventful Cold business scene Potential Closed Business Mix • Lawson was felt to be missing ‘other retail’ in its mix of How satisfied are you with business types - all respondents agreed there was not the Town as a Place to enough provision of specialty retail do Business? • Respondents also felt that there could be an increase in evening leisure and restaurants VERY SATISFIED SATISFIED • Respondents suggested that Lawson could be enhanced NEITHER UNSATISFIED if it had a deli, more cafes, health and community services such as a daycares, as well as a bigger supermarket Centre Performance • Most respondents agreed with statements related to Lawson’s local character, such as its attractiveness, sense of community and safety Agree or Disagree? • Around 75% of respondents were satisfied with Lawson as a place to do business ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO SPEND TIME • Most respondents felt that parking provision was insufficient PROVIDES A SENSE OF SAFETY

Business Mix SENSE OF IDENTITY/COMMUNITY FOOD SHOPS GOOD GOOD QUALITY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN NOT ENOUGH

OTHER RETAIL GOOD SIGNAGE/WAYFINDING FACILITIES NOT ENOUGH

BUSINESS SERVICES

COMPREHENSIVE OFFER FOR CUSTOMERS GOOD NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH LOW QUALITY SPECIAL EVENTS PERSONAL SERVICES GOOD ADEQUATE PARKING PROVISION TOO MUCH NOT AFFORDABLE

RESTAURANTS GOOD NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH

CULTURE & RECREATION GOOD NEW NOT ENOUGH IDEAS TOO MUCH EVENING LEISURE GOOD better NOT ENOUGH NOT AFFORDABLE centre PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N EmoreRSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 56 cafe's HEALTH comunity EVENTS more longterm + MUSIC PARKING + for workers Phase 2C | Business Survey

Ideas for improvement

Parking & Traﬃc comunity Community EVENTS • Improved parking better • Youth leisure opportunities + MUSIC • Parking for longer periods SHOPPING • Community events • Parking spaces for workers • Live music and busking centre • Monitor parking time limits more longterm more PARKING Business + for workers cafe's • Cooperation between the centre’s HEALTH businesses

What are you concerned about Centre Impacts for the future of the centre? Lack of business diversity Busines All respondents considered Businesses closing down public transport connections to be beneficial for PARKING Accessibility & TRAFFIC businesses in Lawson Parking for workers

Decreasing footfall GROWTH Increasing rent

populationaged Complementary businesses Housing for elderly Accessibility being located in the centre was also considered by most respondents to benefit the What are you optimistic about centre’s businesses for the future of the centre? Growth area Increasing population Growth

Parking issues were

consistently seen to have Business mix to attract footfall BUSINESS a negative impact on Food culture businesses in Lawson Family vibe CHARACTER Local talent`

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 57 Phase 2C | Business Survey

HAZELBROOK 15 Businessi Surveyed Daytime Night Hazelbrook is described as a busy, sometimes chaotic and congested Busy Stil busy centre with a high retail turnover, that is friendly and engaged Chaotic Dark

Friendly Quiet Business Mix • Overall services, nighttime economy and entertainment opportunities are perceived by respondents as good How satisﬁed are you with the Town as a Place to • There is potential for more food shops and do Business? other retail Centre Performance VERY SATISFIED SATISFIED • Respondents agree that Hazelbrook is an attractive NEITHER UNSATISFIED centre that offers a comprehensive mix for customers • Respondents somewhat agree that the centre provides a sense of identity and safety

• Signage and parking are not considered to be performing well in the centre Agree or Disagree?

SENSE OF IDENTITY/COMMUNITY

PROVIDES A SENSE OF SAFETY Business Mix

FOOD SHOPS GOOD SIGNAGE/WAYFINDING FACILITIES GOOD NOT ENOUGH

GOOD QUALITY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN OTHER RETAIL

ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO SPEND TIME NOT ENOUGH LOW QUALITY

ADEQUATE PARKING PROVISION BUSINESS SERVICES GOOD

COMPREHENSIVE OFFER FOR CUSTOMERS PERSONAL SERVICES GOOD SPECIAL EVENTS NOT ENOUGH

RESTAURANTS

GOOD NOT ENOUGH

CULTURE & RECREATION GOOD

EVENING LEISURE GOOD

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 58 Phase 2C | Business Survey

Ideas for improvement

Parking & Traﬃc Entertainment • Improve carpark • More entertainment Renovation • All day parking for employees • More restaurants Busines PROMOTION variety entertainment Streetscape & Public Space Business CINEMAS • Beautiﬁcation • Renovation markets CCTV • Clean area • Variety streetscape cameras • Footpaths • Promotion clean beautification • Public domain • Advertising public • CCTV cameras domain • Improvements

What are you concerned about for the future of the centre?

All day parking for Employees Centre Impacts Fines for workers Upgrade carparks Parking More carparks Improve parking

Police Presence SECURITY Respondents feel the high More cameras level of footfall, the loyal CCTV cameras customer base, the transport High Rise Rent Business can’t afford high rents Rent GROWTH links and the availability of suitable premises are the Population Growth most beneficial aspects of Hazelbrook for their business What are you optimistic about for the future of the centre?

All day parking for employees More parking Parking' and 'cost of Parking Small business premises’ had a negative More stores impact on all business More variety BUSINESS Business community respondents Strong community Comunity Generate more tourism Sustainable growth Growth ENTERTAINMENT More restaurants Busy on weekends More entertainment Advertising and promotion

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 59 Phase 2C | Business Survey

SPRINGWOOD 39 Businessi Surveyed Daytime Night Springwood is a vibrant centre that business owners are largely Busy Quiet satisﬁed with, however some felt that it needs an improved mix of Comunity Slepy night time business options and Vibrant Dark grocery shops

How satisﬁed are you with the Town as a Place to do Business?

VERY SATISFIED SATISFIED

NEITHER UNSATISFIED

Business Satisfaction • The majority of respondents were either very satisfied or satisfied Business Mix with Springwood as the location for their businesses Business Mix FOOD SHOPS • Services, restaurants and other retail were felt to be well supplied GOOD in Springwood NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH / NOT AFFORDABLE • ‘Evening leisure’ and ’food shops’ and were considered to be under performing in Springwood, with not enough businesses OTHER RETAIL operating in these areas GOOD • Respondents specifically referred to supermarkets and fruit NOT ENOUGH markets as missing in the centre BUSINESS SERVICES GOOD NOT ENOUGH LOW QUALITY

PERSONAL SERVICES GOOD NOT ENOUGH

RESTAURANTS GOOD NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH

CULTURE & RECREATION GOOD NOT ENOUGH

EVENING LEISURE GOOD NOT ENOUGH

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 60 Phase 2C | Business Survey

Agree or Disagree?

SENSE OF IDENTITY/COMMUNITY

PROVIDES A SENSE OF SAFETY Parking and recreation ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO SPEND TIME opportunities, such as space for children and night time GOOD QUALITY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN economy were the biggest issues for respondents in

COMPREHENSIVE OFFER FOR CUSTOMERS Springwood

New Ideas SPECIAL EVENTS • Respondents contributed with ideas for improvements in Springwood, with many respondents referencing parking improvements GOOD SIGNAGE/WAYFINDING FACILITIES and beautiﬁcation of the public domain • Nightlife and amenities for children were considered community needs in Springwood

• The need for a supermarket was also ADEQUATE PARKING PROVISION consistently raised

NEW IDEAS Centre Performance

NEWRespondents were consistent in deeming parking provision as inadequate, which was often to be an IDEAS issue for their business

MAJOR Beautification Beautification Centre Impacts+ MAINTENANCE + MAINTENANCE supermarkets MAJOR PUBLIC TOILETS PUBLIC TOILETS All respondents perceived the centre’s loyal supermarkets customer base to be benefiting their businessFOOTPATHS FOOTPATHS in Springwood MURALS Shop MURALS SUPER nightlife BUS STOPS DIVERSITY BUS STOPS LIGHTNING LIGHTNING MARKET Most business benefit from Springwood’sGARDENS SUPER GARDENS ‘high level of footfall’, ‘steady stream of new MARKET costumers’, ‘good publicKIDS transport links’+ and PARKS parks ‘complementary businesses’ KIDS more activities recreation KIDS parks More than 50%parking of respondents felt that the cost nightlife more activities of premises and parking in Springwood has parking a negative impact on business Shop DIVERSITY + PARKS KIDS recreation

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 61 Phase 2C | Business Survey

What are you optimistic about for the future of the centre?

Business growth and modernisation Independent retailers Busines Community-focused Younger community Small village shopping feel CHARACTER

Continued growth GROWTH Leverage airport PARKING & TRAFFIC Parking facilities

What are you concerned about for the future of the centre?

Lack of specialty and diversified shops Long term viability Busines Increasing rent costs affordability GROWTH Decreasing visitor number Increase in crime Lack of medium density housing supply Public transport to accommodate community needs PublicTRANSPORT PARKING & TRAFFIC Improved parking provision Enhance traffic flow by providing multiple entry points

Ideas for improvement

Parking & Traﬃc Entertainment Streetscape & Public Space Business

• Improved parking provision • Family-friendly events • Parks for families • Control rents for small • Parking for services • Improved town square businesses • Road structure • Promote recycling by • Business advertisement providing bins • Improved business diversity • Improve lighting • Supermarket • Enhance store fronts • More professional services • Promote local employment • Liaison with chambers and businesses

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 62 Phase 2C | Business Survey

BLAXLAND 23 Businessi Surveyed Blaxland was seen as an older, Daytime Night neglected centre where many Dirty Quiet businesses are unsatisﬁed As the lowest performing centre, Old Ghost solutions raised included streetscape Rough Creapy beautiﬁcation and more events

Business Mix

• Grocery and personal services businesses were felt to be well How satisﬁed are you with supplied, while overall many respondents felt that the centre is the Town as a Place to not diverse in its offering do Business? • Night traders, such as pubs and restaurants, were proposed as a solution to increase foot trafﬁc in the centre during the evening VERY SATISFIED SATISFIED • Respondents agreed that Blaxland had a strong sense of NEITHER UNSATISFIED community and safety Centre Performance

• Most respondents were unsatisﬁed with Blaxland as a place to do business, aligning with what they described as a ‘dirty’, ‘rough’ and ‘creepy’ centre Agree or Disagree? • Most respondents felt that Blaxland needs improvement SENSE OF IDENTITY/COMMUNITY in all aspects of the public domain, including parking and beautiﬁcation

PROVIDES A SENSE OF SAFETY Business Mix FOOD SHOPS GOOD SIGNAGE/WAYFINDING FACILITIES GOOD NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH GOOD QUALITY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN OTHER RETAIL GOOD

ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO SPEND TIME NOT ENOUGH LOW QUALITY

BUSINESS SERVICES ADEQUATE PARKING PROVISION GOOD NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH COMPREHENSIVE OFFER FOR CUSTOMERS PERSONAL SERVICES GOOD SPECIAL EVENTS NOT ENOUGH LOW QUALITY NOT AFFORDABLE RESTAURANTS GOOD NOT ENOUGH LOW QUALITY

CULTURE & RECREATION GOOD NOT ENOUGH LOW QUALITY EVENING LEISURE GOOD NOT ENOUGH LOW QUALITY

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 63 Phase 2C | Business Survey

Ideas for improvement

Parking & Traﬃc Business

• Improved parking • Small amount of shops Restaurants • More variety in businesses entertainment cafe's Streetscape & Public Space Local Character PUBS CINEMAS • Community events • Does not have a healthy food welcoming vibe markets • Beautiﬁcation Security cameras • Enhance character to • leverage tourism front green • Public seating cleanliness shops • Needs nightlife and special events space • Public toilet accessibility toilets grafitis • Greenery • Signage

What are you concerned about for the future of the centre? Service cluster disappeared Busines Centre Impacts Business closing down

CHARACTER Little tourism and population parking Respondents felt the 'loyal & trafﬁc costumer base’, 'good public STREETSCAPE transport links’ and ‘links to &PUBLIC SPACE business and community Buildings, trees and hedges need maintenance networks’ to be the most beneficial aspects of Blaxland for their business What are you optimistic about for the future of the centre?

Maintenance Beautification Parking provision and the Str& publicetscape space cost of premises were felt to Tourism have a negative impact on most respondents Recent business growth BUSINESS Restaurant hub creation

CHARACTER Friendly community

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 64 Phase 2C | Business Survey

GLENBROOK 12 Businessi Surveyed Glenbrook was described by Daytime Night respondents as a small and energetic centre which turns Snoby Boring into a colourless place in the Energetic Quiet evening, with little night time economy Busy Colourles

Business Mix

How satisﬁed are you with • ‘Evening leisure’ was the only business the Town as a Place to type considered to be under performing do Business? • Nightlife was felt to be needed in Glenbrook and businesses such as pubs, cafes, shops, wine and ice VERY SATISFIED SATISFIED cream were welcomed by respondents NEITHER UNSATISFIED Centre Performance

• All surveyed businesses were either ‘satisﬁed’ or ‘very satisﬁed’ with Glenbrook as a place to do business Agree or Disagree? • Respondents are consistent in considering Glenbrook an attractive centre with good amenities, community SENSE OF IDENTITY/COMMUNITY and events • Parking provision and signage infrastructure were not felt to be adequate for the town centre ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO SPEND TIME

• PROVIDES A SENSE OF SAFETY Business Mix

FOOD SHOPS COMPREHENSIVE OFFER FOR CUSTOMERS GOOD NOT ENOUGH

SPECIAL EVENTS OTHER RETAIL GOOD NOT ENOUGH GOOD QUALITY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN

BUSINESS SERVICES GOOD GOOD SIGNAGE/WAYFINDING FACILITIES NOT ENOUGH

PERSONAL SERVICES ADEQUATE PARKING PROVISION GOOD TOO MUCH

RESTAURANTS GOOD NOT ENOUGH TOO MUCH

CULTURE & RECREATION GOOD NOT ENOUGH

EVENING LEISURE GOOD NOT ENOUGH

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 65 Phase 2C | Business Survey

Ideas for improvement

Streetscape & Public Space Parking & Traﬃc Parking for business • Better signage for town centre • Improved parking operators • Improved toilet provision • Parking monitoring Parking PARKING Space • Footpaths maintained Parking • Security cameras Rangers Parking Lots signage Governance

• Proactive Council that takes BANK initiative services • Council to assist small ICE CREAM businesses More SHOPS cafe's NIGHTLIFE pubs WINE

What are you concerned about for the future of the centre? Struggle in retail industry Busines

Centre Impacts PARKING & TRAFFIC Parking provision

What are you optimistic about Businesses in Glenbrook did for the future of the centre? not respond to the survey question around how their More markets ENTERTAINMENT centre impacts on business

Recent improvements Confident about future growth Growth

TRAFFIC

Highway and railway upgrades

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & P ART N E RSHIP Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS 66 PHASE 2 Key Conclusions

68 Phase 2 | Key Conclusions Key Conclusions

Blue Mountains City Council has undertaken a robust engagement process to inform the creation of a Local Strategic Planning Statement which responds to local needs. The Greater Sydney Commission has required Council to prepare a document which explores the four key themes identiﬁed in the Western City District Plan: Infrastructure and Collaboration, Liveability, Productivity and Sustainability, as informed by community and stakeholder engagement. A tailored approach to engagement integrated each of the four key themes into workshop activities, as well as providing opportunities to reﬂect on perceptions of the LGA and its local character. The key learnings for each of these areas are outlined below.

Optimistic and Concerned Perceptions of the LGA

• Many participants were optimistic about the protection of In reﬂecting on the LGA as a whole, community members and the natural environment and a strong sense of community businesses raised a number of ideas that can be summarised into

• The economic opportunity in the tourism industry and a three key concepts: positive future relationship with local government also emerged as positives Nature

• Many participants were concerned about over development • The World Heritage Area is the heart of the LGA and and its possible impacts on the environment and has an essential role in the identity of the Blue Mountains infrastructure, particularly public transport • Many participants perceived the brand of the Blue Mountains • Concern around housing was common to most to be based in sustainable living, wilderness and the participants, especially the lack of housing diversity, which untouched character of the area was felt to have an impact on affordability • The community felt that the environment should be the highest priority in planning for the future Community

• Participants reﬂected that they can enjoy the Blue Mountains in exciting, creative ways, by immersing in quaint, quirky towns with a dynamic food culture and specialty local shops

• The community is seen to be welcoming and friendly, accepting and celebrating differences among people

• There is a strong sense of community among local residents, who are highly proud of living in the area

• The community feeling in the Blue Mountains is tied to the nature-based identity of the area and a shared connection to the surrounding landscape Experiences

• The local character of each village was seen as important to be enhanced and maintained, from built form to businesses in centres

• The relaxed and safe lifestyle should be balanced with growth and many participants raised concerns about overdevelopment and tourism management

• Variety is key to the identity of the LGA as all villages and eccentric food culture provide a rich offering

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS P ART N E RSHIP 68 Phase 2 | Key Conclusions Key Conclusions

Infrastructure and Collaboration

• A lack of housing choice is seen as a key issue in the LGA, directly related to the decreasing affordability of the housing market, which is still seen as affordable compared to the Sydney region

• Connections are considered essential to avoid isolation through the LGA, and road infrastructure is considered good by many participants

• Public transport was raised as a consistent issue, particularly in terms of its lack of frequency and the need for inter town services to accomodate local movement and tourism growth

• Participants consistently suggested social infrastructure to accomodate community needs, as the increasing ageing population has speciﬁc housing and services needs, and young people need more education and employment opportunities to stay in the LGA

• Some centres were perceived to lack infrastructure such as commercial infrastructure and amenities to support tourism including parking, toilets, transport and accommodation

• Accessibility is important for the LGA, especially regarding walking and cycle paths, which people felt should have improved signage and maintenance

Liveability

• In planning for the future, participants felt that the LGA would beneﬁt from education and business support infrastructure

• Connectivity and housing were seen as the biggest barriers in improving liveability in the Blue Mountains as they can prevent young people from settling in the area

• The character of centres and recreation opportunities provided in them are both seen as highly important to the promotion of the visitor economy in the LGA

• Entertainment opportunities and improvements to night time economy are seen as solutions to enhance local lifestyle and leverage tourism activities

• Many participants considered the arts as key to the liveability of the LGA, which is described as an ‘artistic hub’ of different creative industries which holds potential for economic opportunities

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS P ART N E RSHIP 69 Phase 2 | Key Conclusions Key Conclusions

Productivity

• Most opportunities for growth were considered to be around centres and related to the tourism, entertainment and retail industries • Tourism is seen as a main economic driver with a possibility of partnering with other local industries to boost the economy • Niche industries and environment-related jobs were consistently raised as having economic potential

Tourism is an essential growth driver in the Blue Improvement of existing health facilities and Mountains, and participants considered it essential providing aged care amenities are the key to capitalise on this industry and provide HEALTH priorities for health in the LGA TOURISM sustainable tourism solutions

Cultural opportunities for seniors and music venues Quality education facilities, especially a were consistently proposed as improvements to university campus, were considered key arts and culture, as well as education on local opportunities for growth ART & CULTURE EDUCATION Aboriginal culture and history

Sustainable agriculture practices, permaculture Sustainable, boutique retail and speciality shops and farming networks were all proposed as were felt to be growth opportunities that align retail

AGRICULTURE possible growth solutions RETAIL with the local character of the LGA

Business support infrastructure was prioritised Night time economy and diverse sporting options by participants, who feel the need for shared were the main ideas raised for enhancing the local facilities to assist small businesses COMMERCIAL ENTERTAINMENT entertainment industry

Sustainability

• Participants considered sustainability as intrinsically connected to the future of the LGA and that everything, from transport to local businesses, should be aligned with the concept

• Sustainability was not only felt to be one of the main features of the Blue Mountains local character, but also an economic driver in which tourism and future innovation should focus

• The entire National Park and World Heritage Area are the basis of the area’s identity and should be preserved and enhanced by improving access to natural areas and mitigating environmental hazards

• Waste management and renewable energy were consistently raised by participants as priority solutions to making the Blue Mountains more sustainable

AREAS EXPOSED TO IMPORTANT LANDSCAPES SCENIC VIEW CORRIDORS ACCESS TO OPEN SPACE ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AND WATERWAYS AND LANDSCAPES

Most participants The main environmental All escarpments should be feel that walking and cycling hazards perceived by Participants consider that protected and the sense of tracks should be improved, participants were the landscapes and waterways connection to nature should including along the highway Warragamba Dam, should be protected in a be improved along the and in town centres. bushﬁres, urban run-off, way that preserves its wild highway. Hazards such as Signage on bushwalking weed pollution and waste. features while still providing the Warragamba Dam can tracks should be upgraded The majority of the LGA is recreation and tourism lead to loss of unique or added where missing. exposed to these hazards. opportunities. landscapes.

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS P ART N E RSHIP 70 Phase 2 | Key Conclusions Key Conclusions

Business Operations

• A significant percentage of businesses (50%) were categorised as either specialist or convenience retail, with most operating as independent local outlets, reflecting a healthy environment for specialty retail and a customer base in both locals and tourists • Most businesses surveyed operate at a small scale, with 85% employing under ten people and most not expecting to grow in staff numbers in the near future, despite many expecting a small increase in profits and footfall over the next three years • Local customers are an important pillar of small business, as while most businesses reflected that tourism helps to boost their business, 3/4 felt that their main trade was with people local to their centre or from across the Blue Mountains • Businesses were mostly either already established for over a decade, or newly established between 1-5 years, with businesses in either category looking to remain in their location and demonstrating loyalty and a commitment to the centre in which they were based • While many respondents reflected that local business networks were strong, many business saw having a relationship with their local business Chamber as ineffective, only benefiting specific businesses, and many remarked that they were reluctant to participate in Council’s business support services

Key Centres

• With the exception of Blaxland, all centres were characterised by a sense of identity, community and unique physical and experiential character

• Overwhelmingly all centres were felt to be lacking in night time economy and entertainment options, with a sense that safety may be impacted by a lack of people populating centres at night

• Parking was also a consistent issue across each centre, including a lack of parking, insufﬁcient parking provision for business workers, and the management of tourist and visitor BLACKHEATH parking in busy periods

• Larger, established centres such as Blackheath, Katoomba SPRINGWOOD KATOOMBA and Springwood were felt to have a strong business LAWSON community and to be more in need of management, upgrades and governance than new features WENTWORTH FALLS BLAXLAND • The need for a balance between the tourist offering and amenity for locals was recognised in all centres, but GLENBROOK BLUE BLUE particularly in these key established centres MOUNTAINS MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK NATIONAL PARK • Smaller centres such as Glenbrook and Wentworth Falls were characterised by their unique sense of personality and charm, as well as enthusiasm within the business community and a desire for support to ensure that they continue to thrive

• Lawson and Blaxland were mainly characterised based on their potential for growth and improvement and the need for • POTENTIAL an investment of attention and resources to enhance their • BUSINESS SUPPORT performance and offering • INVESTMENT

• Blaxland was felt to be the poorest performing centre, with • PERSONALITY consistent issues across its public domain, management, • ENTHUSIASM • BUSINESS SUPPORT offering and condition, and businesses reﬂecting a pessimism around the status of the centre and a desire for support • ESTABLISHED • MANAGEMENT • TOURISM VS LOCAL NEEDS

PEO P L E Engagement Report P L A CE & Preparation of Blue Mountains LSPS P ART N E RSHIP 71