​World Heritage Area Visitor Centre

2004 Media Release

Winning design for Blue Mountains World Heritage Area 13th January 2004

A sustainable architectural design highlighting the unique features of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area has won the competition for the design of the $1.7 million visitor centre at Bilpin.

Jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments, the centre is expected to be completed by December 2004. Around $1 million has been provided through the Federal Government's $2.7 billion Natural Heritage Trust, with the NSW Government providing additional funding and resources.

Announcing the winner today, the Federal Member for Macquarie, Kerry Bartlett, and NSW Environment Minister, Bob Debus, said the winning design team, architect Lindsay Johnston and landscape architect David Moir, had entered the most sensitive design utilising the local environment.

"The whole-of-site design takes advantage of a picturesque north-facing site, with long views to the Wollemi National Park and immediate views into the tree canopy over a sandstone escarpment," Mr Debus said.

"The pre-eminent feature of the design is the roof canopy. A floating sculpture inspired by the shape of eucalyptus leaves celebrates the World Heritage significance of the unique Blue Mountain eucalypt communities.

"This will be complemented by features of aboriginal culture, expressed through elements within the building details, and it is planned to integrate works by local indigenous artists.

"The building will be accessed by a pathway though native vegetation and the interior of the main building will have the capacity to open up to the outside. A small amphitheatre will provide an outdoor classroom."

Mr Bartlett said visitors to the Centre would find a range of interpretive displays on the 1.03 million hectares of Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and information on the 100 species of eucalypt which formed the basis for the listing of the area.

"The design will showcase this internationally recognised area to the public through education and interpretation," he said.

"The building itself would be environmentally sustainable – constructed from materials that have low impact on the environment. Environmental features will include solar heating from solar panels doubling as sun shading canopies, robust high thermal mass materials to moderate indoor temperatures and rainwater harvesting. Options for grey water recycling and on-site effluent treatment are also being investigated.

"It has been designed to resist the threat of bushfire by the use of non-combustible materials, sprinkler systems and fireproof window shutters.

"This project celebrates the natural beauty of the World Heritage Area and is sure to be of tremendous benefit to our local tourism industry.

"It will encourage visitors to maximise their World Heritage experience by using the Sydney-Richmond-Bilpin-Mt Victoria-Blackheath-Katoomba-Wentworth Falls-Glenbrook-Sydney route, rather than the traditional route up the Great Western Highway. This could also encourage more visitors to stay overnight rather than just come on a day trip."

Mr Debus said the Centre would be an invaluable addition to Western Sydney and Blue Mountains attractions and assist to promote local tourism operators and businesses.

"The Bilpin community has been extremely supportive of the project and I thank them for their involvement in the consultative phase of this project," he said.

"Similarly, Hawkesbury Council and Tourism Hawkesbury both have representatives on the Project Team and we'll all be working together to ensure the visitor centre and surrounds are of the highest quality and deliver a superior visitor experience."