Morrison Government to kick-start Treeline Lurline

Monday, 14 February 2022

The strong community campaign to transform Katoomba’s Lurline Street into a tree-lined boulevard will become a reality as part of a new $28 million bushfire recovery package being delivered by the Morrison Government. 

 

The Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and Community will receive over $4 million under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program to start work with Blue Mountains City Council, businesses and the community, to prepare Lurline Street for a major makeover. 

 

Overhauling Lurline Street will include the replacement of overhead power lines for new trees, with active transport links, street art and furniture also planned.

 

Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said Treeline Lurline would boost Blue Mountains tourism.

 

“From the revamped Echo Point to walking track upgrades at Lapstone, the Morrison Government continues to deliver locally, cementing our economic recovery and securing our future,” Senator Payne said.

 

“Breathing new life into Lurline Street, the gateway to our iconic Three Sisters, will reinforce the Blue Mountains’ strong reputation as a tourism destination.

 

“There are many members of our community who have spearheaded this project, but I particularly want to acknowledge the efforts of Mark Jarvis, Kerry Brown, David Wardman, Jessica Lawn, Cr Kevin Schrieber and Liberal for Macquarie, Sarah Richards, who have been raising this project with me for some time.

 

“Securing federal funding for these types of large-scale infrastructure projects is important because they support a large variety of local jobs before, during and after the construction phase. 

 

“This important funding support from the Morrison government is in addition to the more than $42 million invested directly into the Blue Mountains LGA in economic and financial support, and over $6 million for environmental recovery, during and after the 2019-20 bushfires.

 

“The Morrison Government promised to work with the Blue Mountains community on the road to recovery we will continue to deliver on this promise.”

 

Ward 1 Cr Kevin Schreiber welcomed the latest round of federal funding.

 

“Our community has fought very hard for Treeline Lurline so I am delighted that the Morrison Government has listened and delivered,” Cr Schreiber said.

 

“Treeline Lurline will provide a sustained boost for our local small businesses and I’m looking forward to working with our community to get this done.”

 

In addition to Treeline Lurline, several other local projects will also receive funding:

  • Blue Mountains City Council will receive $700,000 for the development of an Outreach Service to communities at Mt Wilson and Megalong Valley with a book/library item reservation and delivery library service. This will include a Community Recovery & Outreach Officer to provide on-the-ground support for Bushfire affected community and support the outreach services.
  • Blue Mountains City Council will receive over $957,0000 to upgrade the iconic Pulpit Rock Visitor Precinct. The project will replace fire-damaged lookout safety balustrade, boardwalk and walking track infrastructure, and buildings. The project will also construct a new, accessible day use area, including a lookout, shelter, picnic facilities and parking. 
  • Blue Mountains City Council will receive over $1.9 million for the upgrade of the Leura Cascades Visitor Precinct.  The project will also construct new, accessible amenities, as well as improve walking tracks and lighting.
  • Blue Mountains City Council will receive over $889,000 to deliver a comprehensive package of infrastructure upgrades at Mt Victoria, including a new Visitor Information Sign, new street furniture, planters and trees.
  • Katoomba Winter Magic Festival Inc. will receive over $248,000 to revive the festival for two years, attracting an estimated 12,000 visitors to the Blue Mountains.
  • Megalong Valley Pony Club will receive over $41,000 to replace broken gates and repair part of the fence area in the main showground area, helping to further establish the showground as a community hub.
  • Mingaan Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation will receive over $389,000 for cultural burning workshops to build community resilience, healing country and increase connectivity and understanding of First Nations communities.
  • Mingaan Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation will receive a further $1.3 million to establish an Indigenous Ranger Program. The project will build skills within the community through a two-way teaching and learning model where Aboriginal understanding and knowledge, and nationally recognised training in bushfire control and training, is combined.
  • Rural Health Connect Pty Ltd will receive over $389,000 for a new partnership between online psychology platform Rural Health Connect and Rural Financial Counselling Services which will see the delivery of psychology and financial counselling sessions, providing one-on-one support over a free online platform.
  • New South Wales State Emergency Service Volunteers Association Ltd will receive over $463,000 to deliver a new training program that will engage volunteer frontline managers of first responder organisations, equipping them with new skills and boosting confidence. 
  • The Australian Red Cross Society will receive over $7.2 million to continue their Australian Bushfire Recovery Program.
  • The Alternative Technology Association Inc (now Renew) will receive $160,000 to roll out the ‘Green Rebuild Toolkit,’ which will support householders to build back more sustainably and resiliently.
  • Careflight Limited will receive over $1.5 million to establish the Blue Mountains Critical High Acuity Transport Service, which will be a dedicated 24-hour transport service based at Katoomba to facilitate patient transportation. 

For a full list of funded projects, and for further information, visit the National Recovery and Resilience Agency website at: https://recovery.gov.au/programs/black-summer-grants