Belmont Baths Design Milestone

BY MATT JOHNSTON

The re-establishment of the Belmont Baths is one step closer to becoming a reality, with Lake Macquarie City Council completing a new concept design for the swimming and recreation area. The former facility was destroyed during the superstorm in 2015.

In April, council voted to build a new jetty and protected swimming enclosure to replace the damaged infrastructure. Council's acting Manager of Community Planning, Wes Hain, says they've recently reached the "milestone" of approving a concept design for the new project.

The concept design will be used during consultation periods with the project's stakeholders, including members of the community and contractors.  The vision for the project includes a 70-metre-long swimming enclosure, an access ramp to deep water, a new jetty, and more accessible amenities.

"Accessibility was a key aspect of the design as we want the new Belmont Baths to be a space that all members of our community can use and enjoy," says Mr Hain.

Early cost estimates put the bill at approximately $700,000, some of which council hopes to have subsidised. Council project officer David Middleton says they're "seeking extra funds for the amenities work, which we're confident we'll be successful with those [applications]".

Work is expected to commence in the second half of 2018, with the project expected to be completed in time for Christmas.

Lake Macquarie State's Most Dangerous Lake

By MATT JOHNSTON

Research from the Royal Life Saving Society shows Lake Macquarie is the deadliest lake in the state. Over the last 15 years, 10 lives have been lost on the water, making it the 8^th most lethal inland waterway in New South Wales.

The report on inland water safety shows rivers and lakes being responsible for almost twice the number of drowning deaths as beaches and harbours in the last year. For Lake Macquarie, the number of people involved in boating accidents is a factor in its position on the list.

“We see a lot of boating incidents on Lake Macquarie,” says Royal Life Saving’s national manager of research and policy Amy Peden. “Our research shows that these boating incidents can take multiple lives in one incident.”

But that may not be the whole story. You’re 75% more likely to drown in local waterways than anywhere else. Amy says it comes down to “an overestimation of skill but underestimating the risks that location might pose”.

The report also shows that men are four times more likely to be involved in fatal drownings than women. Of those that died, about half had alcohol or drugs in their system at the time of the incident.

In response the deaths in inland waterways, Royal Life Saving and the federal government have partnered up to release the Respect the River campaign. “It’s about making people aware of the dangers, and how to recreate safely on our inland waterways such as rivers and lakes, including Lake Macquarie.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLbxkeHNlWQmydQpurGxbOOjnOqhhdzpgT&v=mQoXBTYtG08