Our plans for 2021-2022

A CUTTING-EDGE MULTI ARTS PAVILION

Exhibition programming will commence for the new Multi-Arts Pavilion mima in Speers Point Park. The pavilion will incorporate innovative public artworks that experiment with new technologies and facilitate a relationship between people and place through art.

LIFESTYLE AND WELLBEING

CROUDACE BAY SPORTS COMPLEX MAJOR UPGRADE

As part of the Charlestown Development Contributions Plan, several upgrades and improvements to the Croudace Bay Sports Complex were identified to meet the future sporting needs of this growing community. Key features of the upgrades that are due for completion during 2021-2022 include new grassed fields, amenities buildings, netball courts, expanded cricket nets and walking paths.

ACTION ON HOMELESSNESS

We will deliver actions in our Ending Homelessness Plan 2021-2024, including strengthening knowledge of referral pathways and supporting Hunter Homeless Connect Day.

UNIQUE LANDSCAPE

DIVERSE HOUSING NEEDS

We will implement our strategy to ensure supply of diverse housing options that meet the needs of people who call Lake Mac home, now and in the future.

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

We will design a new framework to guide acquisition of strategically important conservation lands city-wide, including critical habitat and ecosystems.

DIVERSE ECONOMY

MORISSET, A STRATEGIC ECONOMIC CENTRE

We will engage our community on a draft master plan and future infrastructure investment schedule for Morisset, to support strategic objectives and opportunities for the area.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY FRAMEWORK

We will begin to implement a Circular Economy Framework for our city to support a transition to renewable energy, future-fit existing businesses and attract innovators to our region.

CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY

We will deliver actions from our first Volunteer Engagement Strategy, including developing a volunteer portal on Council’s website and establishing an organisational Volunteer Management System.

VIBRANT, SKILLED AND CONNECTED

We want young people to thrive in our city, have opportunities for social connection and employment, feel safe, and have a voice. We will deliver on this commitment through completion of actions aligned to our Youth Strategy 20202023. Highlights include a series of workshops for young people such as digital ‘claymation’, filming action shorts, parkour skills and a drone operating program.

MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY

FERNLEIGH AWABAKAL SHARED TRACK

The Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST), a shared pathway linking the end of the Fernleigh Track at Belmont with Blacksmiths Beach, is in progress, with work continuing throughout the coming year. This multi-year project will create a 27km active transport route from Murrays Beach to Adamstown, improving lifestyle and fitness in the community, showcasing Lake Macquarie’s natural assets and increasing active transport options. Construction of the northern section is expected to begin in 2022, and the entire pathway, including public art installations recognising the cultural significance of the area, is scheduled for completion by late 2023.

BARNSLEY WEIR

We will provide a bridge crossing adjacent to the existing weir/causeway at The Weir Road, Barnsley, to improve traffic access between Barnsley and Teralba during flood events.

ALTON ROAD

We will complete design of the upgrade of the Alton Road, Central Road and Freemans Drive, Cooranbong, intersection, including traffic signals. The new design will improve the efficiency of the transport network, including walking and cycling.

CREATIVITY

SUGAR VALLEY LIBRARY MUSEUM

We’ll start construction of the Sugar Valley Library Museum - an engaging, innovative space at the forefront of public libraries in the region. The ultimate aim is to deliver an enhanced library experience in northern Lake Macquarie where people can come together to learn, create and connect.

PUBLIC ART ON TRACK

Working closely with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, we will commission Aboriginal artists to create public artworks for the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST) that express their connection to Country and the cultural significance of the site.

SHARED DECISION-MAKING

BUILDING NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS

We will maintain an active partnership with the University of Newcastle, and determine projects to pursue together. We will continue to seek other partnerships and regional connections to benefit Lake Macquarie City, such as a Sailing Centre of Excellence.

ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY FOR A NEW COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN

We will engage our community and key stakeholders on diverse issues for our city, ranging from creating our new 10-year Community Strategic Plan, to strategies to address urban heat and urban greening, and master planning for future infrastructure investment for Morisset, and community and recreation facilities at Catherine Hill Bay. • Playground, amenities building, dog off-leash park, landscaping and path improvements at Thomas H. Halton Park,

Eleebana

• Road rehabilitation at Ocean Street, from

Pitt Street to boundary of 131/133 Ocean

Street, Dudley • Watkins Road rehabilitation and drainage improvement, from Crescent Road to the holiday park entry, Wangi Wangi • Landcare Resource Centre upgrade,

Teralba

• Footpath and kerb ramps from Blackalls

Park School to Rhodes Street, Blackalls

Park • Town Green at Toronto Foreshore

• Replacement Emergency Services facility works in collaboration with NSW

Rural Fire Service and State Emergency

Services

• Bridge strengthening works on Freemans

Drive Bridge, Cooranbong

WORKS UNDERWAY IN 2021-2022

These are some of the many projects that will progress in the year ahead as part of our city-wide works program:

Our comprehensive plans for 2021-2022 are detailed in the Revised Delivery Program 2017-2022 and Operational Plan 20212022, available online at lakemac.com.au/ Our-Council/City-strategies-plans-andreporting/Operational-Plan.

ORGANISATIONAL GOVERNANCE