Lake Macquarie Council's record $280 million spend

BY JARROD MELMETH

A record $280 million will be spent next financial year under a 2018/19 Operational Plan, Lake Macquarie Council has decided.

Roads and recreational facilities will benefit most from the strategy, which will see $31 million spent on road works and $4 million funnelled into parks and playgrounds.

Construction of Belmont Baths; Charlestown Skate Park; Pelican Boat Ramp and the completion of the Pasterfield Sports Complex at Cameron Park will all be achieved with a $100 million commitment.

Mayor Kay Fraser said the size of the budget reflects growth in the region, with 205,000 people now living in the LGA.

"We've had a large number of development applications in the city, " Mayor Fraser said, "we can see building works going everywhere...so with the developer contributions (our Section 94 money coming in) and Council contributing to that, it's giving us the capacity to deliver these important projects."

Kay Fraser believes the community will be pleased with the spending, given extensive consultation has been carried out.

"A budget was put out on public exhibition for people to have a look at and comment on it - so it's very much a community budget plan," she said. 

Charlestown Skate Park is one of the projects identified in the Operational Plan. 

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."

Lake Macquarie Boat Ramp Reconstruction Despite Erosion Threats

BY LAUREN KEMPE

Despite advice from the state government to rebuild Lake Macquarie's Pelican ramp elsewhere, Lake Macquarie council has alternatively decided to rebuild it in its present location.

Stabilisation reconstruction works will commence around early next year, provided councillors endorse the $1.2 million budgeted plan.

The ramp is designed to last 25 years, and the protective alcove design with surrounding rock structures acting as a buffer are anticipated to withstand any future problems of erosion.

The Mokoro Street ramp has been closed since May 2015, and there has been significant community push for reconstruction ever since.

Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser says the community was very strong in maintaining the boat ramp's location, and the plan to move it more inland will alleviate erosion problems going forward.

"We had to look at how the engineering would stack up, but I think we now have a really good option where we can go more inland.

"[The ramp] will be more protected now, so we're looking at having rock retaining walls around a meter high. It will be a completely different look than we've had before."

Mayor Fraser is confident Lake Macquarie council will proceed with the notion within months.

"We have to have it approved by council, which will happen this month, hopefully. The community's overjoyed, they've been waiting since 2015 and they've been really patient. I think it's a really great outcome for the community and the council."

Image Credit: http://www.lakesmail.com.au/story/3542602/boat-ramp-upgrades-to-boost-lake-safety/

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