Work to improve the accessibility and amenity of the Leura Cascades Recreation Precinct is about to commence, with construction of a new amenities building the first piece of the upgrade program to get underway.
The upgrades to the precinct will provide a range of enhancements, including:
- The new amenities building, with four cubicles which includes one accessible cubicle.
- An accessible picnic shelter with picnic setting and a double electric BBQ.
- Paths, ramps, steps and signage to provide access from two new accessible parking spaces.
- A new carpark will be constructed in the Upper Cascades area to consolidate parking from around the precinct and to support access to the improved facilities.
- Lighting and electrical design for the Cascades precinct, including lighting for the amenities building, parking area and track head, renewed night lit walk including under rail lighting, feature lighting of Chelmsford Bridge and other landscape features.
- Walking track upgrade in concrete, with sandstone steps, and new handrails, from the track head to the NPWS Boundary, including a new bridge across the creek.
- Stormwater management and environmental protection works including the planting of 15 new trees.
Before construction works begin, a number of identified trees have been recommended for removal, following investigations from a qualified arborist.
The tree works will require some changes to traffic conditions along Cliff Drive, at Leura Cascades on Monday, 12 August, including:
- One lane of Cliff Drive will be closed. Traffic controllers will be on site to reduce disruption for motorists travelling in both directions.
- The road will close in both directions for brief periods of no longer than 7 minutes, as required.
There will also be some impact to pedestrian movement along the walking track through the Cascades while the work is taking place. At times, traffic controllers may need to halt pedestrians for 10 to 15 minutes while some of the work is being done.
Following the tree work, construction of a new amenities building in the upper Cascades area will start.
Blue Mountains Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said, "Leura Cascades is an extraordinary location that boasts an exciting mix of natural beauty with built heritage and history.
"These upgrades will sensitively rejuvenate the precinct. They'll provide better access and amenity for residents and visitors and will also be more resilient to future extreme weather events, which is a key outcome.
Following strong community support during the precinct planning process, Chelmsford Bridge will remain closed to public vehicle traffic after the upgrades are complete.
"As a beautiful example of an unreinforced concrete arch bridge, designed in 1912, it is of state heritage significance and reopening would require consideration of a range of risk mitigation measures that would have a negative impact on the bridge.
With the community's backing and in alignment with the Precinct Plan, the bridge will remain closed to public vehicle traffic."
The $5 million Leura Cascades Recreational Precinct upgrade project is funded by the NSW Government's Western Sydney Infrastructure Grant Program.
The grant also partially funded the upgrade of Leura culvert in 2023, helping to better manage stormwater within this environmentally sensitive precinct.
Work on the amenities building and new picnic shelter is expected to be completed by February 2025 (weather permitting) and will be followed by construction of the new carpark and linking pathways.
The walking track and lighting upgrades will follow in due course, with specific timelines to be communicated once work programmes are finalised.
Access to the walking tracks within the Leura Cascades precinct will remain open during the construction of the amenities building. During the walking track upgrades next year, some closures will be required and communicated to the community once requirements are confirmed.
More information about the Leura Cascades Recreation Precinct upgrade is available at: bmcc.nsw.gov.au/leura-cascades
Photo: Walking track through Leura Cascades. Photo by Ian Brown.
