Green light given to development despite exceeding height limit

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lake Macquarie Council has approved a development application from poultry company Inghams, to construct four grain silos at their Cardiff site, which will be almost 25-metres high, double the legal height limit for the area.

The land on the corner of Nelson and Durie Road has a prescribed height limit of 15-metres under the Local Environment Plan, while the proposed development is 28.5 metres in height including the replacement conveyor system which will be located atop the new silos.

It is understood the applicant submitted a written request to vary the maximum building height which was supported by council on Monday night.

The approval follows an incident in January 2017, where a silo collapsed damaging two other silos which were later demolished.

Lake Macquarie Cr Kevin Baker was the only councillor to object to the application due to the combustible nature of grain dust.

"Grain silos can be very dangerous. We were quite lucky we didn't have a significant explosion in the collapse last year. One thing we just have not really taken into consideration is, is this the right development in the right area?

"It may be permissible under the industrial zoning, but is having a large dangerous goods site adjacent to a train line and other buildings the right thing to do?

"I just do not think council has considered that in the best way," Cr Baker said.

The site at Cardiff Inghams for the proposed development.
Image: Google Maps.

Caves Beach Phone Tower Approved

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A controversial pone tower proposal for Caves Beach has been approved by Lake Macquarie Council.

Furious residents stormed out of council's meeting last night when the tower was unexpectedly approved.

Residents were expecting the application for the Telstra tower on Scenic Drive to be deferred until next year after Councillors visited the site and made the recommendation to defer.

Residents are concerned the tower could pose a serious threat to their health because it's so close to their homes, from radio frequency electromagnetic energy.

Phone Reception But at What Cost

BY TYLER FARDELL

For Caves Beach locals, good phone reception has always been an enigma. So when Telstra announced it was looking to build a mobile phone tower in the area, it was welcome news for many residents.

However, residents were soon left frustrated by the proposed tower as it was destined to be built within very close proximity to many homes in the area along Scenic Drive.

Lake Macquarie council will tonight vote on whether to allow the development to happen, and there are many opposed to the towers proposed location.

Councillor John Gilbert says the area sorely needs mobile reception, but building the tower here may pose a potential health risk.

"There is evidence that people have contracted diseases and gotten sick as a direct result from proximity to mobile phone towers", he said.

There are several homes within 50 metres of the proposed site and others within a few hundred metres, well inside the exposure radius.

"This is a case of Telstra putting money before people", Mr Gilbert said. "They had the option to build the tower 500 metres back away from houses but that would of cost more money".

The vote is expected to be a very interesting one, with polarizing views of the matter at council, but Mr Gilbert is hopeful the vote will return with no and they can discuss building the tower elsewhere.

New CEO for Lake Macquarie Council

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lake Macquarie Council unanimously endorsed the appoint of Morven Cameron as the new CEO at last night's council meeting.

Ms Cameron is councils former Director of Community Development with more than 15 years of experience in local government.

Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser said Morven was chosen in a competitive selection process from a high-calibre field of experienced candidates.

“She is a highly impressive talent known for her collaborative leadership style and I know firsthand just how passionate she is about ensuring we build on the solid foundation and momentum that Lake Macquarie has enjoyed in recent years.

“With her leadership and the hard working staff of Council, Lake Macquarie is in very good hands," Cr Fraser said. 

Council was very impressed with Morven’s vision, proven experience and achievements, together with her passion for local government and immeasurable understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing large, dynamic councils serving their local community.

Reflecting on her appointment, Ms Cameron said, “It is an honour to have been selected to lead this progressive organisation and vibrant City. We have a very solid base on which to progress and move forward.

“I’m excited about what the future will bring when we all work together, and I thank the Mayor and Councillors, Council staff and the community for their support," Ms Cameron said.

The role will commence from Monday 28 August.

Councils new CEO Morven Cameron.

The ups and down of the Gateshead mobile phone tower

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A controversial mobile phone tower at Gateshead was going ahead, then the land owner backed out of the lease to the happiness of residents, but now it seems to have been for naught with Lake Macquarie Council voting to go ahead with it.

Despite concerns from residents, councillors voted 7-4 in favour of the 37 metre high tower proposed for the Bulls Garden Road last night.

Nearby Whitebridge residents say the tower will be ugly and pose a health risk.

It's expected to improve mobile phone coverage for Vodafone and Optus customers in the area.

Image abc.net.au

New recreational centre under construction at Cameron Park

BY BROOKE HEINZ

Construction has now begun on a new community centre and recreational facilities at Cameron Park in Lake Macquarie.

The new centre, named the Pasterfield Sports Complex, will include a sports field, multi purpose building, playgrounds, exercise equipment, and a skate park.

Artist rendering of the skatepark at Pasterfield Sports Complex.

Developed to facilitate the growing population of Lake Macquarie, the $15 million project is funded by levies under Section 94 Development Contributions.

"This project is fully funded  Development Contributions, and they are funds that developers pay to council for the provision of community infrastructure to support the growing community," Council's Manager Community Planning, John Ferguson, explained.

Artist rendering of multipurpose building in Pasterfield Sports Complex.

Ferguson said residents can expect the "usual" disruptions associated with construction.

"It won't have any real impact on the community apart from the usual impact of potential noise and other issues associated with construction, but they're managed very carefully under the planning conditions and the contractors are very aware of minimising any impact to the community," Ferguson said.

Construction is expected to be completed in mid-2018.

Council votes to keep support for Butterfly Cave

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lake Macquarie Councillors have voted against a recission motion put forward by Councillor Kevin Baker demanding that Council withdraws its support for an application lodged by the NSW Aboriginal Land Council seeking further protection for the Butterfly Cave at West Wallsend.

Acting Mayor Wendy Harrison and Councillors Barney Langford and Brian Adamthwaite spoke out against the motion which was supported by only three Councillors.

The cave is believed to be in danger of collapse if construction of a residential housing estate planned to only allow a 20-metre buffer zone is allowed to go ahead.

The site - which was formally declared an Aboriginal Place in the same year approval was given to develop the housing estate - has also traditionally been used by Aboriginal women and girls, as a private meeting place for hundreds of years.

NSWALC lodged the application on behalf of the Awabakal Local Land Council asking the Minister for Environment and Energy, Josh Frydenberg, to extend the 20-metre buffer zone to 100 metres claiming "the use of heavy machinery and construction tools is a source of vibration that may cause irreversible physical damage to Butterfly Cave" and "the removal of native vegetation and diversion of watercourses irrevocably affects the traditional use of the area."

In June Mayor Kay Fraser wrote to the Department of Environment and Energy extending her support for the application by the NSWALC, which Councillor Kevin Baker said is inappropriate.

"Council should not be lobbying for one side or the other on any position when we are actually a consent authority.

"What my recission motion sought to do was to still put a submission into the federal government authority that is running this investigation but, have that submission detail the process that has been taken in relation to the consent, how everything has progressed and also detail the steps that are being put in place to ensure that the Butterfly Cave is not going to be damaged through the construction process.

"Put through a factual response rather than lobbying for one side or the other," Cr Baker said. 

Cr Baker said all politics aside he does support protecting the cave.

"My wife and children are Aboriginal and I am a strong believer in Aboriginal culture and heritage.

"I have long felt the Butterfly Cave needs to be protected and I think the council is doing a fantastic job through the construction management plan and the construction certificate process, in putting in some really detailed measures to make sure the Butterfly Cave is protected throughout the construction process.

"But, the council have guidelines under the law to follow and we feel it is important that those laws are upheld and that the correct process is followed," Cr Baker said.

 The specified area known as Butterfly Cave in West Wallsend.

Fire safety standards motion for Lake Macquarie

BY JESSICA ROUSE

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London, a Lake Macquarie Councillor is putting forward a motion tonight for the review of fire safety standards in buildings throughout the region.

On June 14 the Grenfell Tower in West London become a towering inferno killing an estimated 79 people. Combustible cladding used to insulate the tower and improve its appearance is being blamed for the rapid spread of the blaze and now there are concerns for other buildings built using the same material.

Upon reflection, it was found the tower would've failed fire safety standards.

Back home in Lake Macquarie, Councillor Kevin Baker says he's confident a vast majority of buildings are compliant, but every precaution must be taken to avoid a tragedy like that in London.

"As I've said in my motion it's something that needs to be considered across all levels of government and I think it's an issue that is sitting there at the forefront of everybody's minds and now is the time to act to make sure everybody is conforming to the highest levels of safety standards."

He wants to ensure nobody has to live through a horrifying fire and making sure everyone has their standards in line so everyone is safe, is the best possible way to ensure it never happens.

"Generally speaking I'm confident that 99 per cent of the people do do the right thing and I'd really love to hear that any review comes back and finds that everything is perfect. That would be the best case scenario but I think it is important that we do a review," said Kevin Baker.

First stage of Glendale Interchange open soon

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

Traffic should soon be flowing through the Stockland Glendale interchange with the first stage of road links set to open to drivers later on today.

Pending some final checks, the new stretch of road will give drivers direct access to Stockland Glendale From Main Road and Glendale Drive.

Lake Macquarie Council's Manager of Property and Business Development, Kate Cramp says the opening time cannot be confirmed just yet.

"But it will be open in the coming days. The final checks are underway at the moment," she said. "We will be advising residents via social media and media outlets as soon as we possibly can."

The new road is expected to ease traffic congestion in the area and make a smoother commute for drivers.

"The new road connection between Glendale and Cardiff will provide a major boost to local businesses making commuter journeys faster, smoother and safer. It provides a faster and more direct route to the Hunter Sports Centre while residents will also benefit from improved access to the services, entertainment and retail outlets at Stockland Glendale," said Kate Cramp.

Stockland-Glendale Interchange [Image: Hit Network]

Residents Concerned over Mobile Tower.

BY DANIELLE RIES

Residents in Whitebridge are concerned over a new Optus and Vodafone Mobile tower set to be built just metres away from their homes.

Lake Macquarie council will next week decide whether to give the 37-metre tower the green light. Council staff have recommended the $250,000 tower be approved.

The tower is set to provide customers with better phone coverage in the area, particularly incase of emergencies.

Residents in the area aren't too happy asking councillors to 'put themselves in our shoes'.

They are worried about the potential health risks it could have to the community as the tower will look out of place being built alongside Bulls Garden Road and residential areas.

Whitebridge resident Tim Smith told The Newcastle Herald the proposed site "suits Optus and Vodafone, with no consideration given to those who live here".

He also went on to say "they haven't considered the best site. It's directly over the road from land currently being developed- that means it will be less than 100 metres from homes".

Push for the Charlestown to the Dudley Coast Cycle-way

BY DANIELLE RIES

Cycling advocacy group Cycle Safe Network are pushing for a path to be built between Charlestown and the Dudley Coast.

The group is working with the Lake Macquarie Council to build the five-kilometre path so cyclists and pedestrians can avoid busy roads and intersections such as Dudley Road.

The path could be included in the Newcastle cycle plan as the path would occupy an old rail corridor in Dudley as well as bisecting the Fernleigh Track.

An active member of the group Deborah Moore says the pathway will link the community to certain places safely.

"Charlestown to Coast is linking key destinations. It's close to schools so kids making their way to school on bikes or through walking on a designated path.

"It offers an opportunity to go through a safe corridor for commuters or for recreational pedestrians or cyclists".

She also explains the new path can open up multiple opportunities to get to places and is a better option for residents to use.

"There's also a great connection to the Fernleigh track. If you can get onto the Charlestown to Coast track, then you've got a short distance to the Fernleigh track where you can either head down to Belmont or you can make your way into Newcastle City".

"We are working really well with the Lake Macquarie city council, they are very supportive of the concept and what we're pushing for.

"We feel the cycleway network proposed for the Charlestown to Dudley link is a much safer one, it is closer to all the schools. So it is potentially a much better corridor".

Cyclists on the Fernleigh track.
Credit- Newcastle Cycleways Movement

Plan to remove portraits of sex offenders

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Lake Macquarie Council is being urged to remove the portraits of two former councillors.

The portraits are of disgraced former Mayor Douglas Carley and councillor turned state MP Milton Orkopoulos hang in the Lake Macquarie Council chambers despite their convictions of sex offences.

The Herald reports victim support groups say the "inappropriate and unnecessary" portraits should've been taken down.

Most councillors reportedly voted against a motion to take them down during a confidential session last November.

D-Day for Lake Macquarie Council to decide on rezoning of former Swansea Bowling Club site

BY JESSICA ROUSE

For the second time, Lake Macquarie City Council will be deciding on whether or not to put a rezoning plan into action for the former Swansea Bowling Club site.

Council will tonight consider endorsing the revised planning proposal to allow flood adaptable, low-density housing on the site.

This isn't the first time plans have been put before council.

In 2015, there were plans put forward for the site to be rezoned for medium-density housing, but was knocked back by council staff who said a flood plan was needed to determine whether sea-level rise and flood risk could be managed.

Swansea Bowling Club site. Image nbnnews.com.au

The majority of the former bowling club site is prone to flooding, and the new rezoning plan takes this into consideration, allowing for adaptable housing solutions for 15 lots to counteract the possibility of flooding.

"That's why we haven't allowed them, and we're not rezoning the land to allow for medium-density housing. We're saying that is not recommended because we need to be able to evacuate if there is some flooding, so we're just allowing residential housing at this stage," said Mayor Kay Fraser.

It is a low lying area for water and with changing currents within the Lake (as was seen with the boat ramp at Pelican), the Mayor says it is the council's responsibility "to make sure we aren't allowing development on flood prone land," and this plan "that's going up tonight is a win win".

She also says it is the perfect spot for housing with public transport nearby and it's close to the Swansea's town centre.

Plans Proposed for Relocation of Pelican Boat Ramp

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

Plans have been proposed for the relocation of the Pelican boat ramp.

The Department of Primary Industries - Crown Lands has released a draft recommendation to Lake Macquarie City Council which would see the ramp moved 170 metres South of its current location.

The ramp has suffered much damage over the last 2 years and has been closed for around 12 months.

It was first impacted by the April storms in 2015 and was further damaged by the collapse of restaurant, Milano's on the Lake in February last year.

The proposal was made after investigations were conducted into the erosion of Pelican foreshore and sand movements in Swansea Channel.

Construction is expected to commence mid 2017.

Lake Macquarie City Council are encouraging residents to have their say on the proposal on their website or at a pop-up information stall on the 21st of January.

Image Courtesy: lakemac.com.au