Blue Mountains Have Your Say | Latest Forum Topics/News Articles

Rating Reform

bmccadmin — 2012-05-08 11:09:24 +1000

Blue Mountains City Council is proposing to change its rating structure over the next three years to ensure that the rating system is simple, fair and meets the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993.

The rating reform is on public exhibition as part of as part of the Coucnil's Draft 2012-2013 Operation Plan from 26 April 2012 to 23 May 2012.

Importantly, the proposal will not increase the Council's revenue from rates (this can only be increased by a set amount each year as directed by the NSW Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal). The proposed changes only affect how rates are calculated and distributed across the City.

The community is encouraged to view the information on the two rating options proposed under the reform and to have your say.

Improving the City's Rating System

bmccteam1 — 2012-04-26 09:35:54 +1000

Blue Mountains City Council has responsibility for ensuring that its rating structure meets the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act). These requirements include that the rating system is simple, fair and broadly uniform and is compliant with the Act. As a means of improving response to these requirements the Council is proposing to reform to its rating structure over a period of three years.

This reform was endorsed for public display at the Council meeting of 23 April 2012 as part of the Draft 2012-2013 Operation Plan from 26 April 2012 to 23 May 2012.

Information on the two rating options proposed under the reform is available in the fact sheet that can be downloaded at right or is available in hardcopy from branch libraries or the counters at the Katoomba and Springwood offices.

Ratepayers can obtain an indication of rates for 2012-2013 under the proposal using the calculators available on the Council’s website (www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au). As well, ratepayers can receive an indication of rates for each year of the proposal by a written request sent to the Council’s email (council@bmcc.nsw.gov.au) or by post to Locked Bag 1005, Katoomba NSW 2780. Please supply your property’s assessment number and address and mark the request as “Rating Reform Proposal Rates Estimation”.

Public comment on the proposal is invited until 5pm, 23 May 2012. Submissions can be made using the Submission tab on this site or a form in Word can be downloaded from the library at right.

Draft 2012-2013 Operational Plan

bmccteam1 — 2012-04-26 08:55:12 +1000

The draft 2012-13 Operational Plan provides details about the actions and projects the Council will deliver in 2012-2013 and how much the Council will spend on the services it provides to the community.

The following draft documents are being exhibited from Thursday 26 April to Wednesday 23 May:

2010-2013 Delivery Program Incorporating 2012-2013 Operational Plan (including 2012-2013 planned actions, 2012-2013 Budget and Rating Structure, 2012-2013 Capital Works Program); and
2012-2013 Fees and Charges.

The community is encouraged to view the information provided and have your say .

What do you think of the proposed 2012-2013 Fees and Charges?

bmccteam1 — 2012-04-24 16:20:44 +1000

The Council provides many services to the community. Blue Mountains residents can access many of these services as a result of paying their rates such as parks, public toilets, roads, footpaths and town centre amenities. In addition to rates, the Council obtains income from user fees for some services such as aquatic and leisure centres and public halls. Many of these services are still significantly subsidised by the Council.

What do you think of the proposed 2012-2013 actions?

bmccteam1 — 2012-04-24 16:15:57 +1000

The 2012-2013 Operational Plan includes all the proposed actions the Council will undertake in 2012-2013 in relation to the wide range of services the Council provides.

The proposed seating, carpark and planting associated with the skate surface shall improve Melrose Park for all users. What do you think?

bmccadmin — 2012-02-29 15:38:45 +1100

The skate surface design has the right level of difficulty for beginners and juniors? What are your thoughts.

bmccadmin — 2012-02-29 15:36:59 +1100

The skate facility adds to the play equipment and open space to enhance Melrose Park as a family friendly place in North Katoomba. Do you agree?

bmccadmin — 2012-02-29 15:35:56 +1100

Trial Wildlife Protection Areas

bmccadmin — 2012-02-14 17:24:59 +1100

This consultation has concluded.

Blue Mountains City Council is proposing to implement two Wildlife Protection Areas on a trial basis at Bonnie Doon Reserve, Katoomba and Sassafras Gully Reserve, Springwood for a five year period.

Further information is provided below and in the Library of this webpage.

We invite your comments on the proposal. Have Your Say in the online discussion forum or send a submission to Council.

Values of Batman Reserve noted so far

bmccadmin — 2011-12-20 18:24:57 +1100

Recreation and Service Value. Batman Reserve contains the only open grassy space in the area. It is currently valued for its open layout and the play equipment which receives regular usage. It is also valued for the potential recreation opportunities that it offers to the neighbourhood.

Neighbourhood amenity. Batman Reserve is valued for the amenity it provides to the neighbourhood. In particular it is valued by the immediate neighbours for its quiet nature.

Emergency Services. Being in close proximity to the Blue Mountains National Park, along with the open layout of the parkland, means that Batman Reserve is also frequently used in emergency operations.

Bushland. The bushland zone features a walking track linking to Magdala Creek, and provides a healthy natural ecosystem connecting to the greater Blue Mountains National Park.

Aboriginal history. A high number of Aboriginal occupation sites have been recorded in the bushland surrounding Batman Reserve, including the Magdala Creek tributaries. There is a high likelihood of occupation artefacts being located within the bushland area of this Reserve.

Non Aboriginal History. Batman Reserve is associated with Alexander Hudson who has a strong place in local oral history, and was a colourful character fondly remembered as "Soapie". He farmed much of the land Farm Road, including Batman Reserve.

An opportunity is presented for this park to be renamed 'Alexander Hudson Reserve'.

Background to this draft PoM

bmccadmin — 2011-12-20 18:16:33 +1100

The need for a Plan of Management dor Batman Reserve was prompted by a resolution of the Council, at the meeting of 2 November 2010, to consider fencing a portion of the Reserve for a dog off-leash area.

A Plan of Management, however, can give direction to any matters relating to the management of this Reserve. A Plan of Management, once adopted by Council, determines what can and cannot happen, or be developed, in the Reserve.

Some of the key directions provided in this dPoM include,

The bushland is categorised to remain as bushland
The grassed area is categorised to be used as Parkland
The proposal for a fenced dog off-leash area within part of the open space
Development of the Recreation amenity and play setting
Retention of the Emergency service usage
Ongoing provision of Asset Protection Zones (APZ) behind the houses
Acknowledgement of Cultural Heritage and History
Resolution of some Land classification issues

Street Tree Masterplan Amendments

admin — 2011-11-30 10:03:07 +1100

This consultation has concluded.

The BMCC Street tree masterplan was placed on public exhibition in April/May 2010 and adopted by the Council in August 2010. A local community group has subsequently assessed all streets in Blackheath
to include them in the Masterplan. These plans are available in the library to download and read and you are invited to view them and provide comment in the Street Tree Masterplan Amendments project.

Blue Mountains City Council's Street Tree Masterplan

bmccadmin — 2011-11-04 14:15:03 +1100

In August 2010 Council published its Street Tree Masterplan. This document sets the technical standards for planting and managing Council's street trees, and also sets out the preferred species for the major roads and streets in the City. You can access the document from the library on this page.

There are a number of key issues in managing street trees in the Blue Mountains:

Providing the conditions for good growth over many decades in streets where there are significant conflicts with infrastructure – roads, paths, power, sewer, etc. - for space.
Maintaining both the cultural exotic landscape within the towns, and the indigenous landscape between them, especially in the major transport corridor of the Great Western Highway and the rail line.
Managing the succession of generations of aging trees with new plantings.

The Street Tree Masterplan aims to improve the general understanding of the requirements to grow our valuable street trees, and the benefits they provide.

Batman Reserve draft Plan of Management

admin — 2011-09-09 10:14:27 +1000

A draft Plan of Management (dPoM) has been prepared for Batman Resrve, Springwood. A second version of this dPoM is now on public exhibition for comment until 8 June 2012.

The dPoM initially went on public exhibtion in February 2012. At the conclusion of this exhibition, Council resolved to remove the dog off-leash area from Masterplan of the dPoM. Subsequently, this dPoM is now being re-exhibited for public comment.

As part of this exhibition, a Public Hearing Session will be held at the Springwood Bowling Club, on Thursday 31 May 2012 from 7-8pm. This is an opportunity to express your views to an independant planner.

We would like to hear your opinion on this dPoM. To obtain more background information, or to make comment, go to our online consultation for draft Plan of Management (PoM) .

Where is Batman Reserve and how big is it?

bmccadmin — 2011-09-02 16:10:20 +1000

Batman Reserve is located in a quiet residential area approx 2.5km from the township of Springwood, and integrades into surrounding bushland. Covering an area of 4.23 hectares, it has two distinct parts: a level grassed area of 0.68 hectares developed as a local park and a bushland area of 3.62ha which forms part of the upper catchment of a tributary Magdala Creek.

Batman Reserve serves as the only local park available to residents who access their homes off Macquarie Road via Burns Road. It borders Blue Mountains National Park along its western boundary as well as residential and rural private properties. It is in close proximity to, and has a synergy with, the track head to Martins Look out.

Outrim Park upgrade

admin — 2011-08-26 11:27:06 +1000

This consultation has concluded.

Works Commence Soon!

The contract to undertake the redvelopment of Outrim Park has been awarded.

At this stage, it is anticipated that works within the park will commence just after Easter and should be completed within 4 weeks (weather permitting).

Thank-you to everybody who has participated in the process to inform the redevelopment of Outrim Park.

It would be good to have more family friendly facilities in North Katoomba.

bmccadmin — 2011-08-04 20:10:50 +1000

There is a need for younger children to learn to use wheeled play equipment in a location other than Goldsmith Place! What are your thoughts?

bmccadmin — 2011-08-04 20:09:42 +1000

Melrose Park Junior Skate Facility

bmccadmin — 2011-08-04 18:47:46 +1000

This consultation has concluded.

Council has developed a draft design for a Junior skate facility at Melrose Park, Katoomba. This design is now on public exhibition for comment until Friday 30 March 2012. This proposed design is for children up to the age of 10 and their families, and was developed under the guidance of a community steering committee composed of local residents, youth and police representatives.

This proposal has arisen from an identified need for a family friendly skate/ wheels facility in the Katoomba area that is suitable for young and learner riders. The current skate facility at Goldsmith Place will continue to provide for the needs of older experienced skaters, subject to some proposed modifications.

This proposed Melrose Park skate facility will be for younger people and junior riders to use equipment such as small bicycles, scooters, skate boards, rip sticks, etc, in a location which is visible, accessible and is suitable and inviting to family groups.

Council is interested in community views on this proposal. Click here to have your say.

Knapsack Reserve Downhill Bike Track REF

bmccadmin — 2011-07-27 17:31:28 +1000

This consultation has concluded.

The Knapsack Reserve Plan Of Management (PoM) provides for a range of recreational uses including a single downhill bike track. A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) has been prepared for the proposed downhill and cross country (XC) mountain bike track. The REF provides an analysis of the anticipated environmental impacts associated with the current proposal for mountain bike tracks in Knapsack Park and if these impacts can be appropriately managed.

Public comment is invited on the REF for the Knapsack Park Mountain Bike Plan. Click here to have your say.

Pioneer Place Master plan

bmccadmin — 2011-07-27 09:42:48 +1000

This consultation has concluded.

Pioneer Place is the Council owned public parking facility located within the Katoomba retail precinct, providing car parking for customers to the Coles/Kmart complex, Katoomba Fair and a range of businesses in the vacinity.

The functionality of this precinct has long been an issue for users of Pioneer Place. A draft master plan has been prepared for Pioneer Place and is now on public exhibition. residents and users of Pioneer Place are encouraged to read and comment on the Pioneer Place draft Master plan in our online discussion forum.

Springwood Facilities Upgrade

bmccadmin — 2011-07-01 17:36:12 +1000

This consultation has concluded.

The upgrade of the Springwood community and cultural facilities is currently at the DRAFT masterplanning phase. This work is enabled by a grant from the Australian Government of $9.5 million.

The proposed masterplan option is now on public exhibition from Monday 17 October – Friday 18 November 2011. Community comment on the masterplan proposal is invited and encouraged.

To view information, plans and updates click here.

Masterplan underway

bmccadmin — 2011-07-01 16:32:13 +1000

FJMT have been engaged by the council to initially prepare a master plan for the upgrade of community and cultural facilities on the Civic Centre site located in Macquarie Road Springwood. The master planning will include investigation of options available, and then development of the preferred option to the final master plan, which will including a staging plan for implementation, feasibility assessments and a business plan for both consturction and continued operation and maintence of the facilities.

Following the adoption of a masterplan for the site and identification of where the grant funding will be spent the Council will then be able to accept the Federal grant money and commence detailed planning for the facilities upgrade. The next stage of work to be undertaken will include the detailed design of facilities upgrades to be undertaken within the available funding. This will include the preparation of construction drawings of the first stage of construction; obtaining the necessary approvals for staged development; and provision of detailed tender documentation for the construction of Stage 1, to the value of approximately $9.5m less design and approval fees incurred.

Australian Govt grant funding

bmccadmin — 2011-07-01 16:28:37 +1000

The upgrade of community and cultural facilities in the Springwood Civic Centre precinct is enabled by a grant from the Australian Government of $9.5 million. This grant funding is being administered through the Community Organisation Infrastructure Grant Program.

A condition of the $9.5 million grant is for all work to be completed and the grant spent by the end of June 2014. This is a tight time frame for this significant project which has informed the project plan for the development of design options for the masterplan and for the community consultation and reporting to Council.

To see Key Date click here

Former Springwood Town Centre Project discontinued

bmccadmin — 2011-07-01 16:24:19 +1000

The former Springwood Town Centre Project, which involved potential sale or lease of public land, has been discontinued. However the results from the community consultation undertaken on preliminary concepts for the upgrade of community and cultural facilities informed the architect brief for the masterplan and detailed design of facilities.