Wikipedia

City of Blue Mountains

Not to be confused with Greater Blue Mountains Area, Blue Mountains (New South Wales), Blue Mountains National Park, or Electoral district of Blue Mountains.

The City of Blue Mountains is a local government area of New South Wales, Australia, governed by the Blue Mountains City Council. The city is located in the Blue Mountains, on the Great Dividing Range at the far western fringe of the Greater Sydney area. Major settlements include Katoomba, Lawson, Springwood, and Blaxland.

City of Blue Mountains
New South Wales
City of Blue Mountains council building in Katoomba
Location in Outer Metropolitan Sydney
Coordinates33°42′S 150°18′E / 33.700°S 150.300°E / -33.700; 150.300
Population78,121 (LGA 2021)[1]
Established1 October 1947 (1947-10-01)[2]
Area1,430 km2 (552.1 sq mi)
MayorMark Greenhill
Council seatKatoomba[3]
RegionBlue Mountains, Greater Western Sydney
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)Macquarie
WebsiteCity of Blue Mountains
LGAs around City of Blue Mountains:
Lithgow Hawkesbury Hawkesbury
Lithgow City of Blue Mountains Penrith
Oberon Wollondilly Liverpool
The Three Sisters, south of Katoomba, in Blue Mountains National Park, are a major attraction of the city.
The Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum is a tourist destination in the town of Faulconbridge.

The mayor of Blue Mountains City Council is Councillor Mark Greenhill, a member of the Labor Party.

Towns and villages in the local government area

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The urban part of the city consists of a ribbon of close or contiguous towns which lie on the Main Western railway line, served by NSW TrainLink's Blue Mountains Line, and Great Western Highway between Emu Plains and Lithgow. About 70% of the city's area is within the Blue Mountains National Park which lies north and south of the ribbon of towns. The National Park is part of the much larger Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Site and the city brands itself as "The City Within a World Heritage National Park". The towns and villages are generally grouped into lower, mid, and upper mountains. The economy of the upper mountains is dependent almost entirely on tourism [citation needed]. The road to Sydney, the Great Western Highway, is mostly dual carriageway but is relatively slow due to the urban development and hilly terrain. The electric train service integrates into Sydney Trains, Sydney's suburban rail network.

The main towns and villages in the City of Blue Mountains are:

Demographics

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Selected historical census data for the City of Blue Mountains local government area
Census year 2001[4] 2006[5] 2011[6] 2016[7] 2021 [8]
Population Estimated residents on census night 73,675   74,067   75,942   76,904   78,121
LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales 28   27   31
% of New South Wales population 1.1%   1.09%   0.99%   0.94%
% of Australian population 0.39%   0.37%   0.35%   0.33%   0.30%
Cultural and language diversity
Ancestry,
top responses		 English n/r n/r 30.1%   30.5%   44.3%
Australian n/r n/r 28.7%   26.3%   38.1%
Irish n/r n/r 10.2%   11.1%   16.0%
Scottish n/r n/r 8.3%   8.6%   13.3%
German n/r n/r 3.2%   3.3%   4.8%
Language,
top responses
(other than English)		 German n/r 0.6%   0.6%   0.5%   0.5%
Spanish n/r 0.3%   0.4%   0.5%   0.6%
Italian 0.3%   0.4%   0.3%   0.4%   0.3%
Mandarin n/r n/r n/r 0.4%   0.3%
French n/r n/r n/r 0.3%   0.3%
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation,
top responses		 No religion (excluding not stated) 18.0%   22.0%   26.8%   35.7%   46.5%
Catholic 22.6%   22.5%   21.5%   19.7%   17.2%
Anglican 24.6%   22.5%   20.9%   17.0%   13.5%
Not stated n/r n/r n/r 8.4%  4.9%
Christian (nfd) n/r n/r n/r 2.9%  2.9%
Median weekly incomes
Personal income Median weekly personal income n/r $501   $590   $688   $817
% of Australian median income n/r 107.5% 102.2% 103.9% 101.4%
Family income Median weekly family income n/r $1,345   $1,624   $1,866   $2,235
% of Australian median income n/r 114.9% 109.6% 107.6% 105.4%
Household income Median weekly household income n/r $1,093 $1,270 $1,468 $1,756
% of Australian median income n/r 106.4% 102.9% 102.1% 100.5%

Council

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Current composition and election method

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A map of the four wards, showing party representation as of the 2021 local elections.

Blue Mountains City Council is composed of twelve councillors elected proportionally as four separate wards, each electing three councillors. All councillors are elected for a fixed four-year term of office. The mayor is elected by the councillors at the first meeting of the council. The most recent general election was held on 14 September 2024.

Party Councillors
  Labor Party 9
  The Greens 2
  Independents 1
Total 12
Ward Councillor Party Notes
First Ward[9]   Sarah Redshaw Greens Elected 2021.
  Suzie van Opdorp Labor Elected 2021.
  Suzanne Jamieson Labor Elected 2024.
Second Ward[10]   Romola Hollywood Labor Elected 2012. Deputy Mayor 2021–date.
  Claire West Labor Elected 2021.
  Brent Hoare Greens Elected 2016.
Third Ward[11]   Daniel Myles Independent Elected 1999. Deputy Mayor 2004–2005.[12] Mayor 2010–2013.
  Darren Rodrigo Labor Elected 2024.
  Mick Fell Labor Elected 2012.
Fourth Ward[13]   Mark Greenhill Labor Elected 1999–2004, 2008–date. Deputy Mayor 2010–2012.[12] Mayor 2013–date.
  Nyree Fisher Labor Elected 2021.
  Margaret Buckham Labor Elected 2024.

Election results

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2024

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This section is an excerpt from Results of the 2024 New South Wales local elections in Outer Sydney § Blue Mountains results.[edit]
2024 New South Wales local elections: Blue Mountains
Party Votes % Swing Seats Change
  Labor 29,052 63.9 14.7 9   3
  Greens 11,000 24.2 9.3 2  
  Independents 4,329 9.5 −2.3 1  
  Libertarian 1,082 2.4 0  
 Formal votes 45,463 90.0 −6.5
 Informal votes 5,049 10.0 6.5
 Total 50,512

2021

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This section is an excerpt from Results of the 2021 New South Wales local elections in Outer Sydney § Blue Mountains.[edit]
2021 New South Wales local elections: Blue Mountains[14]
Party Votes % Swing Seats Change
  Labor 24,032 49.2 11.4 6   1
  Liberal 11,750 24.1 −1.1 3   1
  Greens 7,296 14.9 −4.3 2  
  Independent 5,755 11.8 −5.9 1  
 Formal votes 48,833 96.48
 Informal votes 1,784 3.52
 Total 50,617 100.00

Mayors

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# Mayor Party Term start Term end Time in office Notes
1   William Freelander Independent 2 October 1947 7 December 1948 1 year, 66 days [15][16][17]
2   Frank Walford Independent 7 December 1948 12 December 1950 2 years, 5 days [18][19]
3   Percy Edward Galwey Independent 12 December 1950 5 December 1953 2 years, 358 days [20][21][22]
4   Aubrey Murphy Independent 15 December 1953 December 1955 1 year, 351 days [23][24]
–   Frank Walford Independent December 1955 December 1956 1 year, 0 days [25]
–   Aubrey Murphy Independent December 1956 December 1959 3 years, 0 days [26]
5   Leslie Corne Independent December 1959 December 1960 352 days [26]
–   Frank Walford Independent December 1960 December 1961 1 year, 0 days
6   Keith Bates Independent December 1961 December 1966 4 years, 351 days [26]
7   Tom Hunter Independent December 1966 December 1967 351 days [26]
8 Ern Lesslie December 1967 December 1969 1 year, 351 days [26]
9 Jack Powell December 1969 September 1971 1 year, 274 days [26]
10 Ian Dash September 1971 September 1974 3 years, 0 days [26]
– Ern Lesslie September 1974 September 1976 2 years, 0 days [26]
11 William Lloyd September 1976 September 1977 1 year, 0 days [26]
– Ern Lesslie September 1977 19 December 1979 2 years, 109 days [26]
– John James Wickham (Administrator) 19 December 1979 December 1981 1 year, 347 days [26][27][28]
12 Peter Quirk December 1981 September 1987 5 years, 274 days [26][29]
13 James C. Angel September 1987 September 1988 1 year, 0 days [26]
14 Ralph Williams September 1988 September 1991 3 years, 0 days [26]
15 Peter O'Toole September 1991 February 1992 153 days [26]
16 Bob Clarke February 1992 September 1994 2 years, 212 days [26]
17 Joy Anderson September 1994 September 1995 1 year, 0 days [26]
18 Michael Neall September 1995 September 1999 4 years, 0 days [26]
19   Jim Angel Labor September 1999 13 September 2008 9 years, 12 days [26]
20   Adam Searle Labor 30 September 2008 21 September 2010 1 year, 356 days [26]
21   Daniel Myles Liberal 21 September 2010 17 September 2013 2 years, 361 days [26]
22   Mark Greenhill Labor 17 September 2013 Incumbent 11 years, 102 days [26][30][31]

Council services

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Cemeteries

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The City of Blue Mountains Council maintains cemeteries at Blackheath, Faulconbridge, Katoomba, Lawson, Megalong Valley, Mount Irvine, Mount Victoria, Mount Wilson, Springwood, and Wentworth Falls.[32]

Libraries

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Blue Mountains Library operates three full-time branches, three part-time branches and a service for train commuters at Springwood and Katoomba stations two days a week.[33]

Leisure centres

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Blue Mountains Leisure Centres operate from five locations. All five locations have pools and the Katoomba and Springwood locations have gyms and offer various fitness classes.[34]

Heritage listings

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The City of Blue Mountains has a number of heritage-listed sites, including the following sites listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register:

Sister cities

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The City of Blue Mountains has sister city relationships with the following cities:[67]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Blue Mountains (Local Government Area)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.  
  2. ^ "Council Overview – History of Council". Blue Mountains City Council.
  3. ^ "Blue Mountains City Council". Division of Local Government. Archived from the original on 6 September 2006. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
  4. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). "Blue Mountains (C)". 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 July 2017.  
  5. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Blue Mountains (C)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  6. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Blue Mountains (C)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 July 2017.  
  7. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Blue Mountains (C)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 July 2017.  
  8. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Blue Mountains". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 27 February 2024.  
  9. ^ "City of Blue Mountains Ward 1 - Candidate Results". NSW Electoral Commission. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  10. ^ "City of Blue Mountains Ward 2 - Candidate Results". NSW Electoral Commission. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  11. ^ "City of Blue Mountains Ward 3 - Candidate Results". NSW Electoral Commission. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Past and Current Elected Deputy Mayors". Blue Mountains City Council. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  13. ^ "City of Blue Mountains Ward 4 - Candidate Results". NSW Electoral Commission. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  14. ^ "Blue Mountains". ABC News.
  15. ^ "CITY OF BLUE MOUNTAINS PROVISIONAL COUNCIL". The Blue Mountains Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 3 October 1947. p. 2. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ "ALD. W. FREELANDER RE-ELECTED MAYOR OF BLUE MOUNTAINS BY UNANIMOUS VOTE". The Blue Mountains Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 5 December 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ "Mayor of City of Blue Mountains". Nepean Times. New South Wales, Australia. 11 December 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ "MAYOR OF BLUE MOUNTAINS CITY". Nepean Times. New South Wales, Australia. 9 December 1948. p. 4. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ^ "WALFORD RE-ELECTED BLUE MOUNTAINS MAYOR". The Blue Mountains Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 15 December 1949. p. 11. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ^ "BLUE MOUNTAINS MAYOR ELECTED". The Blue Mountains Advertiser. New South Wales, Australia. 14 December 1950. p. 1. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ^ "Mayor of Blue Mountains". Nepean Times. New South Wales, Australia. 13 December 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ^ "Four Candidates for Mayor CLOSE POLL ON THE MOUNTAINS". Nepean Times. New South Wales, Australia. 4 December 1952. p. 4. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  23. ^ "IMMENSE INTEREST IN BLUE MOUNTAINS MAYORAL ELECTION". Lithgow Mercury. New South Wales, Australia. 16 December 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^ "Blue Mountains Mayor Re-elected". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 8 December 1954. p. 4. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  25. ^ "SPRINGWOOD". Nepean Times. New South Wales, Australia. 12 January 1956. p. 8. Retrieved 15 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Past and Current Elected Mayors". Blue Mountains City Council. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  27. ^ "Local Government Act, 1919.—Proclamation". Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. No. 182. New South Wales, Australia. 20 December 1979. p. 6365. Retrieved 16 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ^ Macey, Richard (22 January 1980). "Council's leader holds a 'tight' meeting". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3.
  29. ^ "Revolt leader may be mayor". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 December 1981. p. 11.
  30. ^ "Blue Mountains Councillor Mark Greenhill re-elected Mayor" (Media Release). Blue Mountains City Council. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  31. ^ "Mark Greenhill elected for third term as Blue Mountains mayor; Romola Hollywood elected deputy mayor". Blue Mountains Gazette. 30 December 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  32. ^ "Our cemeteries". Blue Mountains City Council.
  33. ^ "Locations, Hours & Contacts". bmcc.ent.sirsidynix.net.au. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  34. ^ Day, Clear Blue. "Blue Mountains Leisure Centres – Centres". www.bmleisurecentres.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  35. ^ "Blue Mountains Walking tracks". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00980. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  36. ^ "Blackheath Railway Station Group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01088. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  37. ^ "Norman Lindsay Gallery". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01503. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  38. ^ "Glenbrook Railway Residence". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00713. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  39. ^ "Glenbrook Railway and World War Two Mustard Gas Storage Tunnel". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01861. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  40. ^ "Lennox Bridge". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00024. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  41. ^ "Mount St Marys College and Convent". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01681. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  42. ^ "Carrington Hotel". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00280. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  43. ^ "Katoomba Post Office (former)". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01453. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  44. ^ "The Paragon". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01959. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  45. ^ "Katoomba Railway Station and yard group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01174. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  46. ^ "Lilianfels". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00431. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  47. ^ "Lawson Railway Station Group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01177. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  48. ^ "Everglades". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01498. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  49. ^ "Linden Observatory Complex". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01807. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  50. ^ "Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Linden, Linden Precinct". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01953. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  51. ^ "Medlow Dam". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01366. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  52. ^ "Medlow Bath Railway Station group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01190. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  53. ^ "Mount Victoria Railway Station group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01203. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  54. ^ "Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Mount York, Cox's Pass Precinct". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01956. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  55. ^ "Wynstay Estate". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01520. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  56. ^ "Christ Church Anglican Church". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00130. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  57. ^ "Buckland Convalescent Home & Garden". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00371. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  58. ^ "Springwood Railway Station Group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01247. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  59. ^ "Railway Gatehouse". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00220. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  60. ^ "Valley Heights Railway Station and Locomotive Depot". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01276. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  61. ^ "Track". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01372. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  62. ^ "Davisville". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00401. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  63. ^ "Weatherboard Inn Archaeological Site". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00595. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  64. ^ "Woodford Academy". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01509. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  65. ^ "Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Woodford, Old Bathurst Road Precinct". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01954. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  66. ^ "Cox's Road and Early Deviations - Woodford, Appian Way Precinct". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01955. Retrieved 18 May 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  67. ^ "Sister Cities". Blue Mountains City Council. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
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