Katoomba Apartment Plan Sparks the Biggest Blue Mountains Debate of 2025
If you look back at what really captured attention in the Blue Mountains throughout 2025, one story clearly stood above the rest, and it wasn’t about trains, storms, or even major retail developments. It was the proposed multi-storey apartment development in Katoomba that ended up dominating conversations, headlines, and online clicks all year long.
While locals were excited to finally see new Mariyung commuter trains roll onto the Blue Mountains line, and while wild weather events forced closures at iconic attractions like Scenic World, those stories were ultimately overshadowed by deep concern over a proposal to build more than 100 apartments along Narrow Neck Road in Katoomba. The plan, which involves nine four-storey buildings, was assessed under the Housing Delivery Authority’s streamlined approval process, and that alone raised alarm bells for many residents.
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The development quickly became a lightning rod for broader fears about overdevelopment, loss of character, and the future identity of Katoomba. Many people felt the scale of the proposal was completely out of step with the surrounding environment and the town’s heritage. Those concerns were echoed loudly by Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill, whose blunt comment — “we don’t need crap like this” — cut through the noise and captured widespread frustration in the community.
Throughout the year, the story sat at the top of the Blue Mountains Gazette’s most-read list, showing just how emotionally invested locals were. It became more than a planning dispute; it was treated as a symbol of an ongoing struggle between growth pressures and preservation in the Mountains. Residents questioned whether decisions were being rushed and whether local voices were being properly heard in the process.
That controversy played out alongside other major stories that shaped 2025. The long-awaited arrival of new trains marked a new era for commuters. A proposed Woolworths in Springwood sparked heated debate before eventually receiving approval. Extreme rainfall disrupted daily life and tourism. Tragic events, including fatal accidents and sudden deaths, also deeply affected the close-knit community.
Yet, despite all of that, it was the Katoomba apartment proposal that lingered in public discussion long after the headlines moved on. It highlighted just how protective the Blue Mountains community is of its landscape and lifestyle. As 2025 closed, the message was clear: development in the Mountains will always be scrutinised closely, and when locals feel something threatens the heart of their town, it will never go unnoticed.
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