Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser is calling on her fellow councillors to consider postponing work on a controversial planning proposal for Toronto Foreshore.
Plans to construct a six-storey development at the Bath Street site have received a mixed community response since it was first proposed, with a large number of residents believing the land should stay open to the public.
Cr Fraser will ask councillors at Monday night's council meeting to stop work on the plan, saying the city's economic situation has changed since the development was first proposed almost two years ago.
"At the time we had a slower economy and there wasn't a lot of investment," said Cr Fraser.
"We have a lot of investment now in Lake Macquarie, we saw a billion dollars worth of investment over the last twelve months, we've just had the Pasminco announcement with the development there, and also out at Morisset,"
"I think its time to reflect, take a step back and listen to the community."
Suzanne Pritchard from the Toronto Foreshore Protection Group said the Mayor's decision to stop further plans and re-evaluate the development is exactly what the group have been waiting for.
"The development was going to set a really dangerous precedent for multi-storey development, not only on Toronto's foreshore but all around the lake," said Ms Pritchard.
"We are hoping to see a foreshore park for all of the community to enjoy, not just a select few."
Councillor Jason Pauling said he was flabbergasted and felt "betrayed" by the mayor's decision, having worked together on the project for over 12 months.
"The debate tonight will be fierce and emotive because there are lots of us that still believe in the dream," said Cr Pauling.
"I agree with the mayor that the process has gone off the rails to a degree, I agree with the mayor that the timeframe blowout is hugely frustrating, but I don't agree that we should turn our backs on this opportunity."
Cr Pauling said the site has been in limbo since the mid-1980s and has been neglected for decades.
"There is an opportunity right now, albeit with a longer timeframe than we initially intended, to fix that and turn it into the showpiece for Lake Macquarie and I'm not prepared to put that on ice."
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| Council staff have designed a model version of the proposed development. Image: Jason Pauling |
