Appeal For Information Following Fire At Lake Macquarie Council's Administration Centre

BY JORDAN REGNIS

Police have released a CCTV image of two people they wish to speak with following an alleged arson attack at Lake Macquarie Council's Administration Centre last month.

About 3:50am on Wednesday 27 November, emergency services were called to the building on Main Road, Speers Point, following reports of a fire.

Fire and Rescue NSW crews worked to extinguish the blaze; however, the building sustained extensive damage with repairs estimated to cost several million dollars.

Inquiries by strike force detectives have established that two persons were in the vicinity of the council building at the time of the incident.

Anyone able to identify the persons, or with information or dashcam footage from the area between 2am and 4:30am on Wednesday 27 November is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

                              The CCTV image: Picture by NSW Police

New Shared Paths Weave Throughout Lake Macquarie

BY TARNI CRUICKSHANK

Lake Macquarie residents can now enjoy increased safety and ease when walking and cycling, following the completion of new paths in the area.

Work has wrapped on a two hundred and fifty metre path linking Pasterfield Sports Complex to the older precinct of Cameron Park.

It is one of two new shared-paths in the area, and aims to increase access to the sports complex, by foot.

Lake Macquarie Lord Mayor, Kay Fraser says these paths are essential in encouraging residents to rely less on their vehicles and make healthier lifestyle choices.

"They'll be able to actually walk or hop on a bike and get there much quicker and safer.

"It's only small but it was really important to the Cameron Park community and I am really pleased that we have been able to deliver that."

The paths form part of a larger regional cycle route to connect the Fernleigh Track to Richmond Vale via numerous suburbs such as Edgeworth, Minmi and Glendale. 

Projects and Technical Officer, Tom Earls and Mayor Kay Fraser at Pasterfield shared path.

Photo credit: Lake Macquarie City Council

Draft Plan Paves Pathway for Lake Mac Tourism Boom

BY RAVELLE EATON

Lake Macquarie Council's Draft Destination Management Plan 2022-2026 has been released, with hopes it will lay the foundation to attract up to four million visitors within the next 10 years. 

The Plan lays out a target of 800,000 overnight visitors by 2032, with another 1.7 million day-trippers to explore key localities. 

Proposed actions include expanding Belmont Wetlands State Park, reinvigorating the use of the Catherine Hill Bay jetty and a master plan for the Lake arts precinct.

Other changes include improving visitor and recreation facilities at Rathmines and the feasibility of an indoor aviation attraction at Lake Macquarie airport with the aim to bring young people into the area.

Mayor Kay Fraser says it'll help capture an even bigger share of tourists.

"Geographically, we're also in a great position. we're easily in reach for Sydneysiders, as well as all the international visitors flowing into Australia through Sydney Airport," Cr Fraser said.

The plan is aiming to improve the current 2.2 million annual visitors to a target of 2.5-3.9 million, and for annual visitor spending to improve from $210 million in 2019 to $583 million in the next 10 years.

For more information or to provide feedback go to shape.lakemac.com.au/dmp before September 20.

Fresh look for Catherine Hill Bay in new masterplan

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Catherine Hill Bay could look a whole lot different, with a new draft masterplan for the region now on public exhibition.

Lake Macquarie councillors voted to put the plan to the community at their meeting on Monday night.

The Catherine Hill Bay Precincts Master Plan includes a brand new community hub, with a hall, cafe, and social rooms, as well as a new surf lifesaving club and neighbourhood play space.

The surf club building at the southern end of Catherine Hill Bay and the northern oval, as well as its surrounds, have been selected as two locations host the new infrastructure. 

It's hoped the plan will help the region cope with a growing population and demand for infrastructure.

$6 million set to be pumped into Lake Macquarie recycled water irrigation project

BY ALEXANDRA REES

Hunter Water is set to implement a $6 million recycled water project, in collaboration with Lake Macquarie Council. 

The project will see the implementation of an irrigation system, to maintain community parks and sporting fields.

It's hoped the increased water capacity at the Edgeworth Wastewater Treatment Works will make more recycled water available to a number of local ovals, including Jack McLaughlin Oval and Pasterfield Sports Complex.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser says the council is dedicated to making the city's future more sustainable.

"This long-term water efficiency initiative will reduce the use of drinking water for irrigation in favor of alternative water sources," she said.

"It will also ensure we can keep our sporting fields, gardens and other public spaces green, which is important for the amenity and wellbeing of our community."

The decision comes as a response to the 2019 droughts, which left devastating water shortages across the Hunter. 

Hunter Water Managing Director Darren Cleary says it's an important initiative for the community.

"Our community increasingly expects Hunter Water to improve our regions water resilience and sustainability," he said.

 

"That's the real benefit from this project; improving the resilience of beautiful community assets."

The investment is expected to save the equivalent of eight Olympic swimming pools of water. 

Image credit: Hunter Water.

Lake Macquarie Council opens opportunities for adventure tourism operators

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Expressions of interest have opened across Lake Macquarie to launch new adventure tourism sites across the region.

Council is offering a long-term lease at three council-owned sites, including a waterfront parcel near the Museum of Art and Culture at Booragul, a former quarry at Glendale, and another site at Teralba.

Each site is classed as operational land and are considered to be close to transport connections and commercial centres.

Leases as long as 30 years or even longer are being considered, depending on the nature of the project, but it's understood the city's looking for venues such as a water park, a bike or skate park, or a climbing and zip-lining attraction.

Interested operators or investors need to be financed and development-ready, and can apply for all three locations or just the one.

The waterfront site at Booragul.

Organics Recycling In Lake Macquarie Given A Welcome Boost

 BY IAN CROUCH

Food and garden waste recycling in Lake Macquarie has been future-proofed thanks to $2 million in state and federal grants.

The money will allow the Organics Recovery Facility at Awaba to lift its processing capacity by 16,000 to 60,000 tonnes and assure operations for another 20 years.

Organics Resource Recovery Manager, Gunther Neumann says community demand for organics recycling via council's green bins has exceeded expectations and the further support will enable them to match growing demand.

The Organics Recycling Facility at Awaba Picture: theherald.com,au

Lake Council Considers Bulk Waste Pick-Up By Appointment

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie City Council is considering a shake-up of the bulk waste kerbside collection service.

Under the proposal, residents will be able to book a pick-up date which suits them to dispose of 2 cubic metres of waste, or collect two vouchers a year to drop off rubbish at the Awaba Waste Management Facility.

If adopted, the new system will start next year.

Council expects the move will save an average of $500,000 a year in the next decade.

Residents can provide feedback on the idea until April 18 via Council's website.

Feedback Invited On Toronto Foreshore Master Plan

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Lake Macquarie Council is inviting feedback on a draft master plan for the Toronto foreshore.

The plan includes improved connections and pathways, an expanded playground including water play and learning features, a new town green area and pavilion and new barbeque and picnic facilities.

Council also wants to be able to host major cultural events and smaller events at the foreshore.

A drop-in session is planned near the rotunda on Thursday March 11 between 3 and 6pm.

The plans are available to view on the Shape Lakemac website until March 22.

New Graduates Join Workforce Through Joint Pathways Venture

Fresh graduates are being given the opportunity to gain two-years' experience straight out of university thanks to a new joint programme between Lake Macquarie City Council and Hunter Water.

Four new graduate employees have just started the pathways programme, which gives one year at each organisation in either communications or engineering departments.

The Hunter-first career pathways programme hopes to enable new graduates to get into the workforce straight out of university.

The firms have teamed up to provide skills and experience as part of the two-year programme.

“The hope is that these graduates will be able to incorporate knowledge and practices they have learnt into both our organisations,” Lake Macquarie City Council Workforce Planning Coordinator Belinda Leck said.

“As two of the region’s largest employers, we want to be industry leaders when it comes to innovation and job opportunities for the younger workforce," she said.

The programme aims to allow graduates to collaborate with other participants, sharing knowledge of each organisation’s workplace practices. 

University graduate Eliane Beveridge is one of the first to start the programme and says she feels lucky to have such a great way to kick off her career.

"To be able to stay in Newcastle to work, and still be near my family and friends when I thought maybe I might have to move to Sydney or Melbourne has been really great and something that I'm so happy I get to do," she said.

After 12 months with Lake Macquarie Council, she will move to Hunter Water.

Eliane Beveridge is encouraging other university graduates to consider the local pathways programme.

"Just apply for as much as you can and put yourself out there, even for things that you might not necessarily think you want to do. Take every opportunity you can to learn new skills," she said.

New graduates Eliane Beveridge, George Harrodine, and Georgina Ragen. Picture: Lake Macquarie Council

Lake Macquarie Toronto Plan Fails To Please Residents

BY TANIA SALITRA

The Toronto Foreshore Protection Group has accused Lake Macquarie Council of missing the point of a masterplan into the future of Toronto Foreshore.

With Council excluding a Bath Street site development from the plan, they believe the community is being prevented from having their say as Council change the rules to suit themselves.

Suzanne Pritchard from the Toronto Foreshore Protection Group (TFPG), says a petition has been signed with over 3,000 signatures asking the council to rescind their decision to develop the site with a four to six storey complex without involving the community in the planning process.

Land zoned as 'operational' near the heritage railway station has been included in the masterplan, however, the Bath Street site, only 400m away, was not.

A public meeting will be held to provide background information and explore community concerns about the Bath St proposal at 7pm on Tuesday 4th September at Toronto High School's auditorium, with Councillors invited to attend.

TFPG will also have a stall at the Toronto Markets on 1st September and will be raising balloons to show the impact of a four to six storey building they say will have in obstructing and disconnecting the community from their lake, community facilities like the cycleways and yacht club, along with compromising the heritage of the town.

Fettlers Whitebridge Fourth Storey rejected by Council

BY NADIA D'ANDREA and LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Lake Macquarie Council has voted against allowing a development at Whitebridge to exceed the area's height limit by 40%.

The Whitebridge Community Alliance has been up in arms about the Fettlers residental estate, after it was revealed SNL Constructions planned to build a fourth storey on the site.

Councillor Barney Langford lead the motion to reject the fourth-storey proposal, and says they followed an earlier decision of the Joint Regional Planning Panel.

"Because [the Panel] made the ruling," he explained, "they're the independent umpire - this development went to them two years ago and they made a decision...it seems to me what the developer is trying to do is wangle their way around that decision."

Cr Langford is referring to SNL's choice to send a separate application to Council, claiming the vision falls within the parameters of the Lake Macquarie 2050 plan.

"It was stated last night that over the 10 years of the JRPP, this is the first time this kind of development application has occurred after a JRPP decision...

"I think it's important that we keep faith with the community, and they were opposed to this development," Cr Langford said.

NAIDOC Week Celebrations Begin - Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie

BY HOLLIE HUGHES

NAIDOC week celebrations in Port Stephens have begun with the signing of an historic agreement between the regions City Council and Karuah and Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

The Road to Tomorrow Agreement (or Yabang-Gu-Butunga Agreement in Worimi Gutang language), has been many years in the making and sets out shared objectives and projects between the councils.

Port Stephens Mayor, Ryan Palmer, said the agreement signifies a commitment by the councils to work together to achieve outcomes which will improve the lives of Aboriginal people living in the region now and into the future.

"This [agreement] has been in the works for a number of years, even before my time on council, so I am proud to be here and sign this agreement with both land councils," he outlined.

"I'm also proud of the relationships that we have, and I'm looking forward to working together through our Aboriginal Strategic Committee to strengthen these relationships and achieve great things together."

The landmark agreement was signed by Mayor Ryan Palmer and Wayne Wallis from Port Stephens Council,  Len Roberts and Fiona Manton from the Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council and Andrew Smith and Leigh Ridgeway from the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Meanwhile, NAIDOC week celebrations in Lake Macquarie have kicked off with the launch of a new Virtual Reality (VR) experience shining a light on the City's rich Aboriginal heritage.

Council's Manager for Cultural services, Jacqui Hemsley, said the immersive VR experience gives users the opportunity to take a journey back in time 250-years to when the traditional owners, the Awabakal people, were the sole inhabitants of Lake Macquarie land known as Awaba.

"We're thrilled to announce that this new and exciting cultural experience as part of Council's NAIDOC week celebrations," Ms Hemsley said.

VR Awaba was created by Indigenous Cultural Artist, Brett Leavy, in partnership with the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery Reference group.

Artist Brett Leavy said he was pleased to be able to work with members of the Gallery's Aboriginal Reference Group to bring these stories to life using a new medium.

"It is essential that we continue to share these stories, which are of such significance to Aboriginal people. They capture not only Aboriginal history but the history of the whole Australian nation," he explained.

"Over the last six months, we've worked closely with the Aboriginal Reference Group and the local Awabakal People of Lake Macquarie to take their First Nations knowledge and present it in a way that is visually engaging and educational."

The community is able to access VR Awaba on mobile devices due to the instalment of a plaque on the Warners Bay foreshore near Rotunda or by visiting Oculus Rift at Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery and Swansea Library.

For more information, visit http://www.visitlakemac.com.au/virtual-awaba

Push for kangaroo warning at Morisset

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Lake Macquarie MP, Greg Piper, is calling for multi-lingual signs to be erected around Morisset Hospital that warn of the dangers of feeding kangaroos.

It comes after several attacks against visitors who were clawed and grappled, with one man requiring 17 stitches in his face and another suffering a deep wound in his belly.

Greg Piper says the grounds of the hospital have become a tourist hotspot, with online advertising promoting the area as a cheap and highly recommended day trip for overseas visitors wanting to see kangaroos.

"It's become very popular and very widely known through social media," he said, "and I don't know how we can turn that around, that's unrealistic.

"But let's step up and do a bit more to make sure everyone who visits stays safe; ensuring their safety and the kangaroos,'" he said.

He's concerned about potential health risks associated with the wild animals coming into contact with hospital patients and staff.

Mr Piper believes tourists should be educated, not driven away from the area completely.

"It's understandable they want to do it - they're guests in our country and they want to see an Australian icon.

"I would like to see them treated as guests..."

The MP has delivered a private member's statement to NSW parliament, calling for collaboration between Lake Macquarie Council, Hunter New England Health and National Parks and wildlife to find a solution.

OUCH! This woman was attacked by an unfriendly roo at Morisset. Image: News.com.au

Lake Macquarie Council Given Grant To Combat Illegal Dumping

BY OLIVIA PORTELL

Lake Macquarie Council has been given a 71 thousand dollar grant as part of a statewide initiative to combat illegal dumping.

The grant comes as part of an attempt to decrease illegal dumping by 30 percent by 2020.

The money will assist with cleaning up potentially dangerous waste, such as asbestos, that has been dumped around the region.

Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper, says that the region is particularly bad and that the amount of rubbish being carelessly dumped is worrying.

"Anybody that drives around the area, you will see rubbish dumped illegally on the side of the road, but as soon as you get a little bit off the beaten track, you just see people go down and they dump amazing amounts of rubbish," he says.

Piper says that people must change their ways, and consider the environment and the people who have to clean up after them when dumping their waste.

"They don't care what's in that rubbish, and I know the council, and other councils, have been battling illegal disposal of materials such as asbestos, and this is very concerning, particularly for anyone that then has to go and clean this up," he says.

"There are a lot of issues there, but certainly in this day and age people take so little personal responsibility for the waste that they produce."

Piper believes the grant will be a great help to the region, and that there are a number of volunteers working with the council to combat the issue.

"We have Landcare, we have sustainable neighbourhood community groups, so there's no shortage of goodwill out there to do the right thing, but often there's a lack of that practical resource in the finances, and hopefully this goes a long way to help."

Swansea McDonalds Allowed To Go 24Hrs

BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie Council has decided to allow the McDonalds Restaurant at Swansea to trade 24 hours a day, despite concerns from nearby residents.

However, it's not a final decision, with council approving a 12 month trial to extend the opening hours of the drive -through only, NOT the entire restaurant.

A petition of 52 residents was presented to council on Monday night amid concerns about litter, anti-social behaviour and noise from traffic and the drive through speaker box.

An acoustic expert has recommended a wall be built to shield residents from the noise, while McDonalds management says staff will be on duty to guard against anti-social behaviour.

Swansea McDonalds Drive Thru To Trial 24hr Trade. Photo lakemactoday.com.au

Whitebridge Residents Continue To Oppose Fettler Development

A long-running feud between Whitebridge residents and SNL Building Constructions has reignited after it was revealed SNL had lodged a new development application.

The dispute reached an uneasy settlement in 2015 when the Joint Regional Planning Panel made SNL remove two top-floor apartments before approving construction, but a new development application has been lodged which could see Lake Macquarie Council effectively overturn the panel's decision.

Secretary of the Whitebridge Community Alliance, Lynden Jacobi, labelled the application a 'slap in the face' to residents.

Residents opposed the development of Fettlers Whitebridge when it was first proposed in 2013, citing concerns about over-development of the area, traffic congestion and environmental damage.

Whitebridge Community Alliance member Len McCarthy believes the area is congested enough without the extra development, which he says is double the density of the suburb.

"It means that Whitebridge becomes a high-density area. It means the whole corridor along Dudley Road will be a high-density corridor, it'll end up being lined by four-storey buildings with no public transport," Mr McCarthy said.

"It's just an insanity."

Council has dismissed residents' concerns, stating that SNL's application process is entirely legal.

Image Source: Fettlers Whitebridge
https://www.fettlerswhitebridge.com/information/about-fettlers/

Memorandum of Understanding Review with Hunter Academy of Sport for International Children's Day.

BY CAOIMHE MACCARTHY


Lake Macquarie Council discussed entering into an updated memorandum of understanding with Hunter Academy of Sport to manage the future participation of a local team at the International Children's Games.

Lake Mayor Kay Fraser says they entered into an arrangement with the Hunter Academy of Sports two years ago are now reviewing the memorandum of understanding to increase funding.

"It's really quite exciting because we're planning now to send another Lake Macquarie team to the 2018 International Children's Games which is being held in Jerusalem", Cr Fraser says.

The International Children's Games have been running since 1968 and attract more than 1,500 young athletes from around the world each year.

"It's open to young people between 12 to 15 and we have a number of sports that we encourage people to apply", Cr Fraser says, "Could be athletics, could be swimming, could be a whole range of sports".

Lake Macquarie will shortly be calling for expressions of interest from young athletes.

"It's a great opportunity for young people to experience different cultures and have an understanding of what it's like to compete at a high level", Cr Fraser says.

Image supplied

More information about the International Children's Games details and how to apply HERE.

Rethinking Parking Strategies

BY MATT JOHNSTON

Following complaints from disgruntled locals, Lake Macquarie council are looking at updating their parking strategies to cope with increasing congestion. Increasingly, commuters and shoppers are finding it harder and harder to find adequate parking in the town centres.

Mayor Kay Fraser says due to the popularity of town centres like Charlestown, Warners Bay, Toronto or Glendale "you'll find it can be difficult to get a park at times. We've had complaints from residents that many streets in Charlestown are being parked out".

"We need to have a strategy in place for how we're going to deal with parking. In Lake Macquarie, we do love our cars... so it's sort of changing the mentality but it's also providing options."

More than 1400 comments have been received so far, which has given council plenty of alternatives to explore. While paid parking is the last thing anyone wants, it's nevertheless an option that's being considered.

Other measures up for consideration include timed parking, more rangers, 'smart technology' to make things easier for drivers and rangers, as well as lobbying the state government for improved public transport systems.

"We don't have great transport out here, and that's one of the factors," says Cr Fraser. "I'll be lobbying state government to see what we can do about that. We need to have proper public transport so people do have that option."

While there's a need for "efficient and effective" public transport, one of the simpler options is also one of the easiest. "We want to make our town centres walkable and liveable, so people can enjoy their walk to the shops or to their favourite café or restaurant."

The draft strategy is currently available online, at Lake Macquarie libraries, and at council's customer service centre.

Mayor Kay Fraser

Lake Macquarie Council Give Go-Ahead for New Boat Ramp at Same Location

BY NIKOLA JOKANOVIC

Proposed plans for a new and improved boat ramp in Pelican have finally been approved by the Lake Macquarie Council.

Councillors at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday 28 August endorsed recommendations to rebuild the ramp in the same location with a new design at a $1.2 million dollar pricetag.

The Pelican boat ramp has been closed since October 2015 after being left in disrepair by tidal erosion over time and damage caused by the super storm in April of that year.

The new ramp aims to address these issues by being positioned in a protective alcove slightly inland from the current site.

Protective rock groynes will also be installed on either side of the ramp, as well as a pontoon for public safety.

A number of other sites and designs were considered before this final decision, including a protested initial proposal to build the new ramp in a popular beach area south of the original site.

"Council staff have worked hard to develop a solution that not only meets the community's needs but also suits the water conditions in that part of the lake," says Mayor, Kay Fraser.

"I am pleased that the voice of residents and Pelican foreshore users has been heard and that boat users will have a new and improved ramp next year."

Some remain concerned that the new boat ramp will meet a fate similar to its predecessor, particularly following state government recommendations to build the new ramp elsewhere to avoid damaging water flows.

With the new design expected to last 25 years, Mayor Fraser says there is little to worry about.

"That's why we're doing a different type of boat ramp. It's actually going inland, which means it'll be like a bit of an alcove, so it'll be protected by being inland, and rock groynes will protect either side of the boat ramp. Having a pontoon in the middle will be good for safety and ensure that it'll be there for the long term."