Blue Mountains becomes a ‘Cittaslow’

The City of the Blue Mountains has won endorsement as a Cittaslow, highlighting the region's qualities as an outstanding source of fine food and quality produce, and as a thriving artistic environment.

Being declared a Cittaslow will add to the Blue Mountains' already high status as a UNESCO World Heritage Area and one of Australia's top tourist destinations. Delegates from Cittaslow headquarters in Orvieto, Italy, visited the Blue Mountains on March 16. A full itinerary insured that they gained a taste of the region's magnificent natural environment, diverse cafes and restaurants, artisan bakeries and other small businesses, vibrant arts community and unique domestic architecture.

The visit by the Italian delegation capped a feverish few months' work by a dedicated Blue Mountains group to gain support from local government and tourism authorities, and to prepare a massive submission for Italy's Cittaslow HQ, emphasising the region's eligibility. The visit culminated in the announcement at a civic reception at the historic Carrington Hotel of the area's successful endorsement as "Cittaslow Katoomba Blue Mountains". The luncheon featured food of the region ranging from Hominy sourdough b read to Bathurst wines, Oberon bio-dynamic lamb, chestnuts from Mount Irvine , cheeses, and gourmet cakes and chocolates. The food was prepared and served by Carrington staff and students from the Blue Mountains Hotel School.

Cittaslow (literally meaning "slow city" and pronounced "chitta-slow") is an extension of the worldwide Slow Food movement. Since beginning in 1999, Cittaslow has seen the establishment of networks involving around 100 cities, mainly in European countries, and is spreading further afield, including to South Australia and New Zealand.

Cittaslow is not just about food; its aims are much wider and are based on taking time to identify what is important and special about a region, and developing strategies to preserve its unique qualities. It brings great benefits for the local economy, the environment, tourism, the quality of life for local residents, and helps to further define the points of difference from other regions.

The Cittaslow working party is considering a range of initiatives for the Mountains for the next 12 months, including public art, urban agriculture and township meetings.

For further information, email Anne Elliott, Convenor, Cittaslow Blue Mts, at cloudlands@hermes.ne or telephone (02) 4782 7376.