Mayor's foreword

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

It really is no wonder Lake Macquarie City is such a highly sought-after place to settle, work and play. It has access to beaches, the lake, the bush and the mountains. Our residents and visitors can enjoy surfing, boating, fishing, walking or just exploring the city’s natural beauty. The Lake Macquarie Coastal Management Program (CMP) aims to preserve and enhance the environmental value of the coastline, estuary and channel amid increased visitation and pressure from urban development across the city, and the everincreasing impacts of a changing climate. The CMP has been prepared in collaboration with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, as well as other agency and community stakeholders. This program puts forward priority actions to be implemented for our coastline, our estuary and the Swansea Channel. Many of the actions within this CMP are the responsibility of Lake Macquarie City Council. However, a healthy coastline, in a growing and active urban community is not achieved by the work of local government alone. The CMP highlights collaborative arrangements with state agencies, businesses and residents as key contributors to the ongoing success of coastal management within the city. Other land managers and public authorities, including the Department of Planning and Environment, Crown Lands, Department of Primary Industries (Fisheries Division), Transport for NSW, Hunter Water Corporation, Local Land Services, and Belmont Wetlands State Park have an important role to play in delivering the actions outlined in this program. I encourage all stakeholders to engage this plan to secure the lifestyle of the community and visitors of Lake Macquarie, and build upon the significant improvements in coastal health achieved over the last 20 years. Councillor Kay Fraser Mayor