After almost 12 months of construction, the spectacular new development at Echo Point has been completed and will be open to the community to view from 11am on Wednesday, 14 October, 2020. 

The upgrades include:

•    a new gathering place (amphitheatre)
•    a new Prince of Wales Lookout
•    an accessible, night-lit boardwalk connecting the lookouts, amphitheatre and Council's accredited Visitor Information Centre (VIC), and
•    security bollards and CCTV.

Watch aerial footage of the new site

Council received matched funding from the Federal Government’s National Stronger Regions grant program for this project.

 

Gathering place

A new gathering place (amphitheatre) has been created, in consultation with the Dharug and Gundungurra Peoples, to provide an impressive and immersive experience for all those who visit the site.

  • It is a space, on the eastern side of the Echo Point platform, for about 70 people.
  • The amphitheatre has an etched 'Map of Country' in the stage area, which represents the significant waterways within Dharug and Gundungurra Ngurra (Country), in the Blue Mountains.
  • Other stunning new features at the site include LED lights, which have been placed in the stage that mirror four constellations of the night sky.
  • It provides a place for the community and visitors to sit and experience Echo Point and the Jamison Valley.
  • It will also be used for cultural presentations (including dance, talk, drama and song) and scientific presentations.

New Prince of Wales lookout and accessible, night-lit boardwalk

  • An elevated and night-lit accessible boardwalk has also reopened the link to The Prince Henry Cliff Walk and allowed renewed access to the Prince of Wales Lookout which had been closed for 10 years due to land slippage.
  • While the Three Sisters have been night-lit for many years, the upgrade provides safe access to a number of new vantage points. In addition, landscape lighting allows visitors to appreciate some of the surrounding vegetation to create a more holistic experience.

Evacuation signs, security bollards and CCTV

  • As Council continues to improve visitor facilities and safety at Echo Point, it secured a Federal Government Safer Communities grant in 2018 to introduce security measures at this high profile and unique location.
  • Bollards and a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system have been installed at Echo Point to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community and visitors at the site. All works have been conducted in line with relevant legislation, regulation and best practice guidelines.
  • Four CCTV cameras have also been erected at the entry of the Echo Point precinct and another two under the Queen Elizabeth Lookout.
  • CCTV cameras have been directed at the platform and not at private property.
  • Evacuation signage has also been installed at the site.