Council meeting highlights: Standing Committee – Monday 4 Dec 2023

Published on 04 December 2023

See below for highlights of recommendations from tonight’s Standing Committee meeting to be considered at the next Ordinary Council meeting on Monday 11 December 2023.

The full agenda and reports are available at meeting agendas and minutes.

The stream of tonight’s meeting will be available online at lakemac.com.au within 48 hours.

Demolition of existing dwelling and new dwelling house at 1 Sylester Road, Cooranbong

Council endorsed a development standard variation to provide a maximum height of 8.035m – exceeding the 5.5m development standard by 46 per cent –  and approved a development application for an existing dwelling and construction of a new dwelling at 1 Sylvester Road, Cooranbong, subject to conditions of consent. 

Demolition, decommission, remediation and earthworks – Myuna Bay

Council deferred determination of development application DA/1288/2023 for demolition, decommission, remediation and earthworks at 21A Wangi Road, Myuna Bay, pending a full Council site inspection.

Requests for donations

Council recommended approving the following donations under the donations program:

• $2000 to the Hunter Melanoma Foundation to assist with the costs of their Spot Check project in Warners Bay
• $2000 to the Stroke Recovery Association to go towards activities for the Westlakes Stroke Recovery Group in Wangi Wangi
• $2000 to the 1st Byattunga Scout Group for the purchase of a STEM kit to be used by scout groups in Morisset and the wider Lake Macquarie area
• $2000 to the Lake Macquarie BMX Club for the purchase of racing jerseys to be worn at the BMX Racing State Series in Argenton.

Compulsory acquisition of part of 132 Freemans Drive, Morisset

Council recommended approving the compulsory acquisition of an easement to drain water over part of the Crown land at 132 Freemans Drive, Morisset and making an application for any approvals required to compulsorily acquire the easement.

Corporate Policy Review – Acquisition and Divestment of Land Policy and Property Advisory Panel Charter

Council recommended rescinding the Acquisition and Divestment of Land Policy - version three and adopting version four, and rescinding the Property Advisory Panel Charter - version one and adopting version two.

Proposed road closure for part of O’Brien Street, Gateshead

Council recommended approving closure of a section of road on O'Brien Street adjoining 3 Sydney Road, Gateshead and selling the closed road to the owners of the adjoining property for $5000.

Amendments to the Lake Macquarie Development Control Plan: Part 9.7 - Specific Land Uses – Foreshore and Waterway Development and associated planning documents

Council recommended placing amendments to the Lake Macquarie Development Control Plan 2014 Part 9.7 Foreshore and Waterway Development and new Draft Foreshore and Waterway Development Guidelines for Residents on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days, and receiving a report detailing feedback received during exhibition.

Domestic Violence Safe Phones

Council recommended participating in a 12-month trial of supporting DV Safe Phones with an evaluation at the end of the trial to determine the next steps.

Community Environment Grants – 2023-2024 funding round one

Council recommended funding five applications for a total of $20,001 as part of the Community Environment Grants 2023-2024 round one.

The applications are:

• $2816.70 to the Groundswell Collective for hands on resident workshops to increase habitat and knowledge of native pollinators
• $4188.50 to Harrison Street Early Education to install a water tank and water play pump
• $3324 to Newcastle Waldorf School to establish a school garden
• $4871.52 to Coal-ash Community Alliance Inc. to produce a series of ceramics using coal-ash and a video based on the outcome of the workshops
• $4800 to Trees in Newcastle for a planting package to five local schools.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the biannual funding program sought to empower not-for-profit community groups and organisations to deliver projects with clear sustainability outcomes.

“These grassroots initiatives play an important role in protecting and enhancing the beautiful natural environment of Lake Macquarie,” she said.

“The projects selected will deliver exceptional environmental and social benefits for our city, and I’m proud Council continues to support sustainability programs wherever possible.”