More than 70 per cent of Blaxland residents who took part in community consultation backed turning Station Street into a pedestrian mall. By July 2026, the first shovels were in the ground.
The project, funded through the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants program with more than $3.38 million, will transform the thoroughfare into a town square with new paving, accessibility upgrades, lighting, seating, landscaping, public art and improved wayfinding. Construction is expected to continue into early 2027.
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill described the start of work as a milestone. “This project will create a more attractive, accessible and people friendly town centre,” he said in a statement. “The long-term benefits will be substantial, creating a more welcoming place for people to meet, spend time, support local businesses and participate in community life.”
Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle MP said the funding was already changing Blaxland. “Now residents are able to see shovels in the ground. I’m excited that Blue Mountains City Council’s successful funding application will ensure that Blaxland becomes a more vibrant and bustling place, for residents and tourists alike,” she said.
On the r/bluemountains subreddit, residents welcomed the shift from thoroughfare to destination. One user noted that removing the traffic lights would actually cut through-traffic times while the pedestrianisation calmed the local streets, calling it a smart trade-off. Others pointed to benefits for the nearby Blaxland Primary School area, with less vehicle conflict near school routes.
The works bring temporary disruptions: modified pedestrian access, construction fencing, delivery vehicle movements and noise. Council and its contractor are working with traders to maintain safe access. Residents, business owners and visitors can stay informed by subscribing to email updates via yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au, or by attending drop-in sessions at Blaxland Library, where project staff will answer questions and provide progress updates.
The Station Street mall is Phase 1 of the Blaxland Town Centre Masterplan, adopted by Council in early 2024 after community consultation. Planning is already underway for Phase 2, which involves redeveloping the IGA supermarket and carpark site with underground parking and a new piazza-style town square. Community input during this planning phase can influence final designs, and the council is encouraging early feedback through the same Your Say channels.
Unlike earlier town centre improvements across the Mountains, the Blaxland upgrade makes public art and comprehensive wayfinding central to the design. It is the first visible on-ground delivery from the 2024 Masterplan, moving the town from planning concepts to physical change. Given construction fencing and delivery traffic, taking the train to Blaxland station, which sits right beside the works, is the easiest way to avoid disruption while visiting local shops.
Related to This Story
Blue Mountains City Council
Local government authority responsible for planning, infrastructure and community services across the Blue Mountains. It adopted the Blaxland Town Centre Masterplan in 2024 and is delivering the current Station Street upgrade.
Blaxland Town Centre Masterplan
A 20-year strategic framework adopted in early 2024 to guide renewal, public domain improvements, built-form changes and economic activation in Blaxland, following extensive community consultation.
By early 2027, what was once a car-dominated strip beside the railway line is set to be a welcoming public square. For the 70 per cent of residents who asked for it, the wait is finally measurable in paving stones.