Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community
The Dharug and Gundungurra are the Traditional Owners and Custodians who have cared for and thrived in the Blue Mountains for many thousands of years. They have a prosperous and ancient history guided by a sophisticated wisdom. Australia always was, and always will be Aboriginal land and First Nations people have never willingly surrendered it.
Council recognises that British Colonialism had a relentless and destructive impact on culture and country resulting in immeasurable loss, grief and compounding trauma which First Nations people have survived but continue to be disadvantaged by. The dispossession of the First Nations people underpins the wealth and privilege of the Australian Nations today.
The Blue Mountains Library acknowledges the important histories of the Gundungurra and Dharug Traditional Owners & Custodians of the Blue Mountains region and not only the relevance of those histories to the Blue Mountains identity but the ongoing imprint of our shared history on our community today.
The Aboriginal Knowledge Collection has been developed to provide Aboriginal knowledge based material by, as well as about, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Aboriginal Knowledge Collection ensures appropriate content and perspectives in materials and recognises the intellectual and cultural property of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as owners of their knowledge.
Aboriginal Knowledge Collection
Blue Mountains City Council Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community
Blue Mountains City
Our city is made up of 27 towns and villages along a 100km stretch of mountainous landscape. The Blue Mountains local government area spans 1,431km, with 70% being part of the World Heritage National Park and only 11% designated for settlement. As of 2024 the Blue Mountains is home to almost 80,000 residents.
Why are the Blue Mountains Blue?
Origins of Blue Mountains Town Names
Community Data
We offer free access to a suite of interactive tools that can be used to help understand current, historical and future population characteristics of the Blue Mountains and its townships. These are designed to assist the planning and decision-making of community groups, businesses and government organisations, and to inform students, researchers and the general public about what is happening across our City.
Blue Mountains Demographic and Community Insights
Blue Mountains Economy, Jobs, and Business Insights
Blue Mountains Population, Households, and Dwellings Forecasts
Local Studies
Our physical collection can be accessed from Springwood Library, or via your local branch. For details, or to view our our digitised collection, go to the Local Studies page.
Open Data Portal of Blue Mountains City Council
This platform brings together a number of sensor projects piloted to test how Council will use new technology to inform decision-making. Sensors are being used across the city ranging from air quality, people counting, smart devices counting and understanding how pedestrians respond to their environment.
Tourism
If you're planning a visit, be sure to check out our Blue Mountains City Tourism website for helpful information and resources.
Blue Mountains City Council Tourism
