Following extensive community consultation to develop a Masterplan, Plan of Management and designs for South Lawson Park, Blue Mountains City Council is holding further community consultation in March on the current, exciting project at the park.
Council is seeking feedback on the current plans - to create a significant community recreational space that balances the needs of all users and improves the protection of nearby waterways.
In particular, community consultation sessions and online information resources will provide updates on the current project that will deliver:
- More than 2km of shared pathway - that will provide greater accessibility and amenity to the park for a wider range of people
- A fenced dog off leash area that is significantly larger than the current dog off leash area, with several tracks and play zones
- A nature exploration play area
- Grass terrace seating for informal gatherings and small community events
- Water refill stations and seating throughout the park, and
- Improved protection of the creek line, swamp and wet areas by extensive regeneration of 4,000sqm of bush and the planting of 35,000 plants.
During consultation, Council will be asking for feedback on the current plans for the park, as well as on the type of fencing for the dog off leash area; placement of the fence line, along the southern edge of the dog off leash area; and placement of water stations and seating.
A series of face-to-face community consultation sessions will be held on site, providing more opportunities for the broad community to have their say on the future of this important recreational space.
At each session, a series of displays and resources about the South Lawson Park upgrade will be available for community review, discussion and feedback, with Council officers available to provide details and answer questions.
Four sessions will be held near the Ferris Lane entrance to the park, between 11am-2pm, on:
Friday, 4 March 2022
Saturday, 5 March 2022
Friday, 11 March 2022
Saturday, 12 March 2022
To view a range of informative flyers on key aspects of the South Lawson Park upgrade, and to have your say on the project, visit yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/lawson. Submissions will be taken until 14 March 2022.
Blue Mountains Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: "These on-site extra consultation events give the broad community the opportunity to talk one-one-one with staff, work through particular concerns, get detailed answers to specific questions and submit thoughtful feedback about the South Lawson Park upgrade plans.
"We also recognise that not everyone will be in a position to attend these sessions in person. With that in mind, we're providing all the consultation information online, including a survey where anyone interested in the plans and use of the park can ensure their voice is heard."
The current designs for the park upgrade were finalised after extensive community consultation, which started in 2018. A range of stakeholder groups were consulted as a key part of this process, including Traditional Owners, local sporting and environmental groups, dog owners, nearby residents and the wider community.
This included consultation on the Plan of Management and Masterplan, which were adopted in March 2021.
"Community consultation on this project isn't anything new for Council - it's actually the foundation of the vision for South Lawson Park and the current upgrade plans. With the feedback captured in the upcoming consultation sessions, I am confident we can further enhance plans for the park.
"I encourage anyone who currently enjoys, or would like to visit and enjoy South Lawson Park, to have their say - either in person or online. It's important that everyone has a voice in this discussion as we work to upgrade the amenity and accessibility of the park to serve the needs of the broad Blue Mountains community," Mayor Greenhill said.
The project has been funded under the Western Parkland City Liveability Program, which is part of the Western Sydney City Deal (WSCD). The WSCD is a 20 year-agreement between the Australian and NSW governments, and the eight local Councils of the Western Parkland City.
