An underused thoroughfare in the centre of one of Australia’s major tourist hotspots has been given a much needed facelift.
Civic Place in the heart of Katoomba links busy Katoomba Street with Coles, the Cultural Centre and library. Thanks to a $750,000 injection from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, which was matched by Blue Mountains City Council, the area is now a go-to place for locals and tourists alike.
Community consultation took place in 2020 and found locals wanted improved design elements, signage and landscaping.
The upgrade includes new furniture and planting, lighting, safety and accessibility features, and newly designed areas for public gatherings and community activities.
The new landscaping has increased dwell time in the area, with locals and tourists choosing the spot to stop and eat their lunch from the nearby food outlets. “It was an ugly area. I wasn’t interested in it” says local resident Oliver Nagy. “Now it has a nice atmosphere. I like eating sushi here with my mum.”
“The highly anticipated revitalisation project has transformed this important community facility into a vibrant and inclusive community meeting place for cultural expression, social interaction, and economic development,” said Rosemary Dillon, Blue Mountains City Council CEO. “Katoomba is a special place that welcomes millions of visitors each year and the completion of this project is the beginning of many exciting improvements for the town centre.”
Brown painted plaza seats were replaced with Cafe Tables and Cafe Stools in the earthy colours Mustard, Pale Eucalypt and Textura Dark Bronze. Chess boards were built into two Cafe Tables to increase activity and dwell time.
Convex Linea VT Curved Seat with Pale Eucalypt frame are plinth mounted on stunning sandstone blocks, which back onto a garden bed. The eco-certified Australian hardwood adds a natural tone to the area, matching the straight Linea VT Seats with eye-catching stainless steel Mustard frames.
VT or ‘vertical timber’ is a premium range, featuring vertical quarter-bullnose timber battens, supported by incredibly strong stainless steel frames. VT Seats and Benches are available in many lengths, colours and mounting types.
An extra large Frame Planter also in Mustard is another notable feature. Both Frame Planters and Linea Planters can be specified with wicking beds. Wicking beds prevent overwatering and save maintenance crews time, labour and money, as the plants are watered through a tube to the bottom of the plants. That means water isn’t evaporated from the soil surface and less weeds grow in the planter. The roots draw water up from below. Maintenance crews also no longer need to remove weed growth from around the planters, as the pavers are dry after watering.
Downstairs in a once dark, under-utilised area, drab pots with scrawny trees have been replaced with large Core-Ten planters complemented by more Linea VT Curved Seating.
The Plaza was officially re-opened on Saturday 28 September, 2024 with the launch of the inaugural Blue Mountains Sustainability Festival. The Blue Mountains Writer’s Festival and local election campaigning also drew crowds of visitors and locals to the precinct. The area will also showcase local art and culture, with a newly fitted-out artist residency space.
Images: Eva Shaw
