sustainable BLUE MOUNTAINS 2025 our city | our future our city | our future SUSTAINABLE BLUE MOUNTAINS Blue Mountains City Council acknowledges that the City of the Blue Mountains is located on the traditional lands of the Darug and Gundungurra peoples. In addition, Blue Mountains City Council recognises the unique position Aboriginal people have in the history and culture of the Blue Mountains. It is acknowledged that Aboriginal peoples in the Blue Mountains have strong and ongoing connections to their traditional lands, cultures, heritage and history. Aboriginal people are recognised as the “Traditional Owners of the land” and it is important that this unique position is incorporated into Council’s community protocols, ofcial ceremonies and events. 2 SUSTAINABLE BLUE MOUNTAINS 2025 COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 5 Message from the Mayor 6 Community Vision 7 About this Plan 8 Our City of Blue Mountains 10 Our Journey 12 Community Engagement 13 Guiding Principles 16 Realising the Vision 18 2 KEY DIRECTIONS 19 Looking After Environment 20 Using Land 34 Moving Around 46 Looking After People 58 Sustainable Economy 70 Civic Leadership 82 3 LEARNING AS WE GO 93 4 LINKS & SOURCES 97 SUSTAINABLE BLUE MOUNTAINS 2025 COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN 3 1 INTRODUCTION Message from the Mayor I am proud to present the Community Strategic Plan for the City of Blue Mountains, Sustainable Blue Mountains 2025. This Plan outlines the community’s vision, priorities and aspirations for the future of our Local Government Area. The Plan has been developed based on extensive research, analysis and community engagement, beginning in 2000 and more recently in 2012 and 2013, when the Plan was revised and updated. The Plan is a legislative requirement under the NSW Integrated Planning and Reporting framework which aims to ensure councils work with their communities and other levels of government to achieve sustainable local futures. Being surrounded by a World Heritage Area places additional responsibilities on the Council and on all of us who are privileged to live within and visit this special place. The key challenge for our City is how do we foster social and economic prosperity while protecting the Blue Mountains World Heritage natural environment. This plan provides a framework and road map for doing this. While Council has a custodial role in preparing this Plan on behalf of the Local Government Area, it is not wholly responsible for its implementation. Other partners, including State and Federal agencies, the community and business, all have roles to play. Within available resources, the Council is committed to working in partnership with the community and other levels of government to achieve this Plan. The Council’s response to this Plan over the next four years is outlined in our Delivery Program 2013-2017. I look forward to celebrating with you on a regular basis our achievements as we work together to make the Blue Mountains a better place for current and future generations. Daniel Myles Mayor of Blue Mountains City Council 6 SUSTAINABLE BLUE MOUNTAINS 2025 COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN Community Vision A more sustainable Blue Mountains by 2025, environmentally, socially and economically. In 2025, we live in vibrant, healthy communities. Our towns and villages are distinctive and contained. We have maintained the bush between our settlements and protected the World Heritage environment that surrounds us. Our local economy is strong and diversified, providing employment, educational and learning opportunities appropriate to our location in a World Heritage environmental area. We promote safe accessible and environmentally responsible ways for people to get to where they need to go. We use our available resources wisely, ensuring their fair distribution. Caring for each other, we sustain our communities. We recognise all Blue Mountains people, especially our children and young people in whom we inspire the values that create a more sustainable future. We celebrate the rich creativity, culture and heritage of the Blue Mountains. People of all cultures and backgrounds are respected and enjoy equal rights. We acknowledge Aboriginal communities in the Blue Mountains, past and present. We have enhanced our Blue Mountains identity while forging strong regional partnerships. Our civic and community leadership and governance are inspirational, at one with community. The Blue Mountains is recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence for learning about sustainable communities. SUSTAINABLE BLUE MOUNTAINS 2025 COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN 7 About this Plan Sustainable Blue Mountains 2025 presents the community endorsed vision and strategic plan for the City of Blue Mountains. It has been developed with extensive community engagement and expresses the priorities and aspirations of the community for making the Blue Mountains a better place for current and future generations. This Plan has been prepared to meet the requirement for all Council’s in NSW to develop a Community Strategic Plan on behalf of the Local Government Area, identifying the key priorities and aspirations for the future. The Plan outlines the vision, objectives and strategies for the achievement of a more sustainable City of Blue Mountains – socially, economically and environmentally. Integrated Planning & Reporting Framework YOU ARE Community Strategic Plan HERE 10 years+ Other Strategic Plans Local Environmental Plan Resourcing Strategy 10 years DELIVERY PROGRAM Long Term Financial Plan 4 years Workforce Management Strategy Asset Management Strategy Service & Asset Plan Summary Community OPERATIONAL PLAN Engagement Annual Ongoing monitoring & review Annual Report & Four Yearly Report 8 SUSTAINABLE BLUE MOUNTAINS 2025 COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN Integrated Planning & Reporting Framework Under the NSW integrated planning and reporting legislation, a council is required to prepare the following plans and strategies. A key element of this is the Community Strategic Plan – Sustainable Blue Mountains 2025. YOU ARE HERE S R Y 10 YEAR+ COMMUNITY E STRATEGIC PLAN D Sustainable Blue Mountains 2025 Where we want to be in 10+ years. Long-term community priorities and aspirations – goals, objectives and strategies for all Blue Mountains ESPONSIBILIT R stakeholders to translate into action. ALL STAKEHOL 10 YEAR RESOURCING STRATEGY Resources the Council has available to respond to Sustainable Blue Mountains 2025 over the next 10 years. Finances, assets and workforce. Y IL C OUN 4 YEAR DELIVERY C ESPONSIBILIT PROGRAM & 1 YEAR R OPERATIONAL PLAN The Council’s service delivery action plan, in response to Sustainable Blue Mountains 2025 – within available resources. Service delivery program, actions, projects, budgets, fees and charges. SUSTAINABLE BLUE MOUNTAINS 2025 COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN 9 Our City of Blue Mountains MT IRVINE BELL MT WILSON BILPIN BERAMBING MT TOMAH MT VICTORIA Blue Mountains National Park BLACKHEATH HAWKESBURY WINMALEE HEIGHTS MEDLOW BATH FAULCONBRIDGE YELLOW ROCK WENTWORTH FALLS SUN MEGALONG LAWSON LINDEN VALLEY VALLEY MT RIVERVIEW LEURA SPRINGWOOD KATOOMBA VALLEY HEIGHTSWARRIMOO HAZELBROOK BULLABURRA WOODFORD BLAXLAND Blue Mountains GLENBROOKLAPSTONE National Park National Park LOCATED: On the western fringe of BELL GOSFORD BLACKHEATH Metropolitan Sydney. KATOOMBA GLENBROOKPENRITH LITHGOW BLUE PARRAMATTA MOUNTAINS SYDNEY FACT: The Blue Mountains is 1 of only 2 National Park cities in the world surrounded by a World Heritage National Park which makes up WOLLONGONG 70% of our Local Government Area. 10 SUSTAINABLE BLUE MOUNTAINS 2025 COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN The Blue Mountains is a nationally & internationally significant World Heritage environmental area & unique tourist destination. About Our City: The Blue Mountains comprises 27 character-filled towns & villages spread along 100km of mountainous terrain. The Great Western Highway and Blue Mountains railway line traverse the City – transporting goods, services and commuters between Sydney and the Central West, and within the City itself. This is our nationally significant transport corridor. Our City covers an area of 1,431km2 with 70% comprising World Heritage National Park and only 11% available for settlement. Our People: With a population of 78,391 people in the City of Blue Mountains, our: – Average household size – 2.5 people – Median weekly household income – $1,270 – Median monthly mortgage repayments – $1,842 – Median weekly rent – $280 – Average motor vehicles per dwelling – 1.7 SUSTAINABLE BLUE MOUNTAINS 2025 COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN 11 Our Journey A Plan Shaped by Community It began in 2000 with the Community Visioning Project – Blue Mountains Our Future. Between 2000 and 2003, over 6,000 people representative of the Blue Mountains community, including special needs groups, community organisations and government agencies, shaped the “community-owned and Council led” City Vision and Map for Action 2000-2025: Towards A More Sustainable Blue Mountains. Updating the Plan The Map for Action was further updated in 2007 and in 2010 to meet NSW Integrated Planning and Reporting requirements. The title of the updated Plan changed to Sustainable Blue Mountains 2025. In 2012-2013, this plan has been updated to reflect current community priorities and aspirations. Community Engagement In 2012 and 2013 the community was informed, consulted and engaged through a range of initiatives on the review and update of this Plan. Community Survey The Council’s annual Community Survey of residents was used to identify