This proposal looks fantastic. I strongly support more housing here. I lived in the Blue Mountains for 3 months and gave up to move back to Wollongong because the housing situation was a joke. We need more empty nesters to downsize into things like this, and free up houses for families and sharehouses. The wages I was looking at to live here just didn’t make sense because the housing was too scarce and expensive. Every economist is telling us to boost supply to fix it, yet the loud minority of NIMBYs and conspiracy theorists opposing developments like this, and infiltrating the councils planning department, and on planning panels - clearly don’t believe in expert opinion, or perhaps they don’t care about the functioning of the blue mountains. This must be approved to boost housing.

Absolutely not. This is entirely out of character for the area. The scale is obscene.

- Car parking. It’s not really a basement, is it. This is misleading.
- It is not near to public transport. This is vital for affordable housing.
- It is not near the town centre for shops and other amenities. Stop encouraging people to use cars with your poor design.
- Keeping pine trees and removing almost 150 native trees is backwards
- Over 15m of height is absurd. This is out of character for the area. The buildings will be in shade, and will create shade for anything around them.
- Increasing floor space ratio. This goes against the character of the area. This is a world heritage area, its not a high density living area
- Colour scheme is very dark. If you know places like Oran Park exist with black roofs you know this creates an urban heat island effect.

It doesnt fit to the surrounding area. I don ´t really like this idea it will distrupt the whole area. Leave it like it is…

I live in Katoomba and I am grateful to be apart of a community that values the environmental integrity and care that comes from living in a world heritage national park part of the world. Not only does this housing plan interfere with the duty of care and the integrity of the landscapes, eco systems, wildlife, regeneration and increase the chance of serious damage to the landscapes as the housing will be built so close to cliff drops. It also poses a huge threat and concern as it poses a serious bushfire risk. I was born in the blue mountains and I have experienced many bushfires every summer, I have witnessed friends and members of our community lose their houses and belongings and pets to bushfires. There is a serious responsibility and accountability that needs to be taken to account when protecting not only this world heritage listed area but the community, families and businesses that make up the economic structure of the blue mountains.
The heritage that is kept in the blue mountains is something that is rare to find, it brings immense economic value to the area. Tourism is high here, this is due to the beautiful landscapes and natural opportunities for people to explore the world heritage listed area. It is also combined with the history embedded through the streetscape. If this is lost and the natural environment is eroded then inevitably our economic value will be too. This is a huge concern for the community and for businesses. Thank you for your time and listening to the needs of the blue mountains communty

I am a long term resident of Katoomba and I object to the proposed development at 142 - 150 Narrow Neck Road for the following reasons:

I have reviewed the EIS and there are inadequate provisions being made for storm water run-off. The EIS proposes for the storm water run-off for this very large development to run into a small lake in the old golf course grounds.

This solution for storm water run-off has been copied from the old DA on this site which was to cater for a significantly smaller development of a boutique hotel with around 100 - 150 rooms.

Katoomba, like the rest of the upper Blue Mountains receives significantly higher and heavier rainfall than most areas of New South Wales. This localised, extreme rainfall has led to multiple road slips and serious landslides - especially in the Katoomba area - not very far from the proposed development site.

Landslides have totally washed away roads in Katoomba which have required years to reopen.


The storm water run off from such a massive development is also an issue due to this area being part of the catchment and water system directly feeding into the Katoomba Falls.

In NSW Local Councils are responsible for storm water infrastructure and developments usually need to have storm water plans approved by local council.

Since the SSD pathway excludes local council - and Sydney Water have no responsibility - there is no adequate review for storm water plans for this development.


The proposed development has not had any of the usual feasibility and confirmation of sewage infrastructure capacity done - that would usually be required by a new development. Sydney Water are not even aware of this development - and there is no Section 73 issued from Sydney Water - which is usually required for all new sewage connections in the Sydney Region

In the direct area around this development we have experienced regular and significant sewage overflow incidents with Sydney Water sending special crews to clean up and monitor the overflows and the EPA threatening to fine Sydney Water.

The creek upstream from Katoomba Falls which runs directly into this iconic waterfall visited by thousands of international and local tourists is already regularly impacted by sewage problems.

The sewage can be smelt, on a bad day from more than 50 meters away.

I don’t think our infrastructure can cope with an extra 6000 toilets, if it isn’t coping now.


The height of this development - up to 5 stories - and 7 stories including 2 levels of parking will be visible from prime , international tourist trails in the Blue Mountains National Park. The Blue Mountains is one of the most high profile and significant tourism sites in New South Wales - with millions of visitors per year.

Tourists making a trip of a life-time to Australia will include the Katoomba area in even the shortest itinerary. It is essential to protect it for our economy and for future generations to enjoy getting away from the increasingly high density environment of Sydney.

This absolutely needs to be taken into consideration as this is key to the tourist industry of the State of NSW. This development will degrade the tourism value of the area significantly, as it overrides all protections which have been enforced by the council to protect the wilderness values of our World Heritage National Park.


There have been very large turnouts at all meetings held for the local community with information about this development. From the community response I have heard at these meetings I think it is quite likely that the NSW Labor Party will lose their seat if this development is approved.

Too many apartments in a bush fire and world heritage zone. Infrastructures arent made for such a big build.

I fully support this development. Anything to alleviate housing crisis and advance development in the blue mountains should be encouraged.

This is a great idea to build more houses which we desperately need! The area is not a forest or a heritage listed site, it’s just an abandoned golf course, let’s build some homes on it! Love this idea!

I strongly support this proposed development.
Katoomba urgently needs additional housing to improve affordability and ensure local residents can continue to live in the area. Increasing housing supply will also help sustain and revitalise local businesses on the Main Street, many of which are currently struggling with reduced foot traffic and vacancies.
We need more housing options up here, urgently. Expanding housing options is essential for the long-term viability of the town. Providing diverse and accessible accommodation will support both population stability and economic activity.
Concerns relating to land suitability and site constraints can be appropriately addressed through engineering and planning solutions. These issues should not be used as a reason to prevent progress. All the objectives can be overcome - we really need this!
This development represents an important opportunity for Katoomba’s future. I urge decision-makers not to delay or cancel it, as continued inaction risks further decline in the town’s vitality.
It’s on an old golf course- no land clearing. It’s a much better use of this unused land .