Blue Mountains’ Gordon Falls Reserve reopens following accessibility enhancement

With works to improve accessibility and enhance the popular recreation space and natural attraction now complete, Blue Mountains City Council has advised of the reopening of Gordon Falls Reserve, Leura for the community to enjoy.

The NSW Government allocated $2.4 million towards the Gordon Falls Reserve section of the project through the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program, working with Blue Mountains City Council

Officially reopened by Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill and Member for the Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle MP, the reserve features a variety of significant upgrades, including:

• A new amenities building, with two accessible cubicles (one with a baby change table), two ambulant cubicles and two standard cubicles.

• Around 200 metres of new or renewed pathways, most being accessible.

• A new shelter structure with an accessible picnic table two table seats, plus an accessible electric BBQ.

• Parking improvements, including a new parking area, with accessible parking bays; an upgrade of the existing parking area; and two new mini-bus parking bays.

• Dedicated power for mobile food and beverage suppliers.

• Two new shelter signs (with maps and information), drinking fountains and bike racks.

• New landscaping, garden areas and planting using indigenous plants.

• A new lookout and seating area.

Mayor Greenhill noted “these extensive upgrades will help meet the current and future needs of visitors to Gordon Falls Reserve. Council champions improvements like this because everyone should be able to access and enjoy the nature-based recreation opportunities of the Blue Mountains.

“You’ll see the word ‘accessibility’ come up time and again when we talk about Council’s current projects. That’s something I’m very proud of – that our upgrades to public spaces like Gordon Falls Reserve continue to provide better access to our community.

“Providing updated facilities and improved parking is also particularly important at Gordon Falls Reserve, which is the recognised half-way point of the two-day, Grand Cliff Top Walk.

“This is a place where walkers with a range of abilities step in and out of one of the most beautiful walking experiences the Blue Mountains has to offer.”

Doyle added “I am pleased that this collaboration between the NSW Government, the BMCC and NSW National Parks is not just an investment in tourism, it’s an investment in the health and well-being of our community, providing safe, accessible outdoor activities.”

“It is wonderful to support the enhancement of our natural heritage and this exemplifies our joint commitment to enhancing natural attractions.”

Walkers can also enjoy Prince Henry Cliff Walk, between Gordon Falls Reserve and Olympian Rock, which reopened after extensive remediation works.

Connections to the walk from Olympian Parade have been improved and are now much easier, while the walk from Gordon Falls Reserve to Tarpeian Rock track has been upgraded and improved.

The upgrades have been guided by the extensive planning and consultation process behind Council’s Southern Escarpment Masterplan. The Masterplan provides an integrated approach to the management of the natural and cultural assets across the escarpment areas from west Katoomba to Wentworth Falls.

The Gordon Falls Reserve upgrade is part of the overall development of the Grand Cliff Top Walk, funded by the Australian and NSW Governments Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund. The upgrade is also funded by $2.4 million from the NSW Government's Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program, in association with Blue Mountains City Council.

Image. Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill and Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle MP officially open the Gordon Falls Reserve upgrades.