New concept sketches of what the upgraded duck pond at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park could look like are now available for community review and feedback, which will help inform the final designs.
To view and have your say on the draft concept, take part in the online survey by Wednesday 13 April 2022 at https://yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/blackheath-memorial-park-legacy-project.
Council will also hold an information stall in Blackheath Village Centre (outside the Friendly Grocer, 14-16 Govetts Leap Road), on:
• Thursday 31 March: 11am - 2pm
• Tuesday 5 April: 10.30am - 1.30pm
Staff will be available at the stall to discuss the draft plans, provide survey forms and answer questions about this exciting project.
Council is prioritising the upgrade of the duck pond to enhance the visitor experience at the park, by improving safety, accessibility, water quality and community facilities.
The new duck pond concept includes:
• A new accessible loop path around the pond
• Replacing the existing barbeque shelter with a new and accessible one
• A deck out over the pond
• Improved sight lines into the pond
• Changes to the pond shape and edges to improve water quality and habitat
• Safer pond edges and removal of some portions of the existing fence
• Relocating the arch swings as part of the associated play space upgrade.
Blue Mountains City Council Mayor Mark Greenhill said: "The duck pond is a historically important and a visually distinctive part of Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park. These draft upgrade sketches show how we plan to sensitively balance the original and current elements with a range of safety, environmental and accessibility improvements.
"Now's the time to view the sketches and have your say. With community feedback we can ensure this upgrade provides the best outcome for this serene and much-loved space."
Department of Planning and Environment Executive Director Public Spaces Caroline Butler-Bowdon said the NSW Government's $250 million Public Space Legacy Program was the biggest injection of funding for public spaces in a generation.
"This program is the first of its kind in NSW and demonstrates state and local government working together to create a legacy of beautiful public spaces that communities can enjoy for decades to come," Ms Butler-Bowdon said.
"We're supporting Councils to create fantastic outcomes for communities now and into the future, while also keeping people in jobs and the economy moving as we respond to the impacts of the pandemic."
Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park is one of four district parks in the Blue Mountains, which means it is designed for the whole Blue Mountains community to use.
The upgrade will be in line with the masterplan for Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park, which was adopted in 2020 after two years of extensive community consultation.
In addition to the duck pond, upgrades are also being planned for the play space and surrounding landscape at Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park as part of the current project. Connecting paths and interpretive elements will ensure all parts of the park integrate well together.
The pond upgrade works will be delivered as part of a $2 million funding boost from the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program. A further $2 million funding from this program is also providing for upgrades to the Corridor of Oaks at Faulconbridge.
About the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program:
The NSW Government is investing up to $250 million through the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program to support councils to deliver more and better public spaces across the state. This is the biggest injection of funding for public spaces in a generation.
Blue Mountains City Council received funding for two Legacy projects: Blackheath Soldiers Memorial Park, and the Corridor of Oaks and Jackson Park, Faulconbridge.
For more information about the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program, visit: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/legacy
Photo: Duck pond preliminary concept design sketch.
