Treeline Lurline has this week moved a step closer to reality with the appointment of the urban design firm for stage one of the major streetscaping project.
The recommendation for Civille landscape and engineering consultancy as the lead designer was approved by Council this week.
The $289,130 tender will be funded from the $4.04 million bushfire recovery grant awarded by the Federal Government to the Katoomba Chamber of Commerce & Community in 2022.
Blue Mountains City Council is managing the project in collaboration with the Chamber's Treeline Lurline Steering Committee and a joint Project Control Group.
Local arborist Jessica Lawn, who is chair of the Steering Committee and a member of the joint Project Control Group, said, "We are thrilled to have Civille's highly skilled and innovative team on board for this legacy project to transform the heart of Katoomba."
Council's manager for the project Mark Liebman said that Civille will prepare concept designs for the seven-block refurbishment and tree planting with underground power along Lurline Street between Katoomba town centre and Echo Point.
Public consultation on these concepts designs, including options for the street trees, is scheduled for spring this year. "We hope for wide community engagement with the designs."
The Katoomba Chamber's Federal grant also covers construction of the first block between Waratah and Merriwa Streets with undergrounded power, new paving, street furniture, cycleway, street trees and gardens, artworks and heritage interpretation.
Mr Liebman said that following further public consultation in 2024 on detailed designs for this first block, construction will be completed in 2025.
Katoomba Chamber president Mark Jarvis said, "Our community-driven collaboration with the Council and Federal Government is setting a new benchmark for sustainable streetscaping.
"When the Treeline Lurline project is completed, the Blue Mountains' most famous destination at Echo Point will have the spectacular gateway it deserves."
Bendigo Upper Mountains Community Bank is a sponsor of the project. The National Trust Blue Mountains Branch and Blue Mountains Tourism are community partners.
For more information treelinelurline.org.au
Photo: Site meeting in Lurline Street of Council staff and some members of the Steering Committee. Photo credit: Michael Small
