Council meeting preview: Ordinary Council meeting – Monday 25 March
Published on 21 March 2024
Council’s next meeting will take place at the Administrative Centre at Speers Point on Monday 25 March, with an Ordinary Council meeting starting from 6:30pm.
Members of the public have the option to watch the proceedings live online at webcast.lakemac.com.au
Below are some of the items listed for discussion. You can view the full agenda online.
Dr David Durrhiem AM – Freeman of the City
Council will consider a Mayoral Minute recommending Doctor David Durrheim AM be recognised as a Freeman of the City due to his outstanding efforts in the public health space.
Doctor David Durrheim AM was appointed to the role of Director of Health Protection with Hunter New England Health in 2004, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, he took on an immense workload as the Public Health Controller for the district’s COVID-19 response.
Dr Durrheim was also named Lake Mac Ambassador in 2022 for his work in the space.
2024-2025 draft Operational Plan – public exhibition
Council will consider placing the draft Operational Plan 2024-2025 on public exhibition.
The plan outlines 128 actions and a $380.2 million budget, including $119.6 million in capital works projects, to achieve the community’s long-term objectives.
Big winners from the capital works plan include community and sporting facilities, with $34.7 million allocated, and road resealing, resurfacing and rehabilitation with a $21.9 million spend.
Nineteen actions aim to help our environment, including building a new Community Recycling Centre at Belmont North. Meanwhile 24 actions support community lifestyle and wellbeing, which include expanding the West Wallsend Swim Centre and Hunter Sports Centre.
Other actions outlined in the plan support mobility and accessibility, a diverse economy, connected communities, creativity, shared decision-making, and organisational support.
If approved, the plan will go on public exhibition on Tuesday 26 March 2024.
Draft Plan of Management for Community Land
Council will consider adopting the draft Plan of Management for Community Land.
Plans of management cover all community land that Council manages and outline the key values of the land, providing guidance for their ongoing management, future use, and development.
Awaba House revitalisation
Council will consider reallocating funds to rebuilding Awaba House following a devastating fire in 2019.
The reallocation of $2.6 million from other property related projects would ensure Awaba House’s heritage and cultural significance is maintained and the site’s potential is not lost.
Infill housing
Council will consider endorsing a planning proposal to better facilitate in-fill housing and greater housing diversity in residential zones across the city.
Increasing maximum building heights in medium density residential and business zones, permitting dual occupancies on medium density development sites, rezoning select zones and reducing minimum lot sizes are among the proposed changes.
Council will also consider a notice of motion to work with the NSW Government to create more infill housing near Lake Macquarie’s nine train stations.
The vision would be to take advantage of existing infrastructure, like public transport, to give greater access to jobs, shops, and other services to allow the city to grow more sustainably.
Traffic Facilities and Road Safety Committee recommendations
Council will consider approving traffic and road safety recommendations, including:
- The installation of ambulance only parking in Herbert Street, Belmont. This is located just to the west of the ambulance station.
- The removal of the existing taxi zone and the extension of the no parking (kiss and ride) 8am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 4pm school days area on Renwick Street, Toronto.
- The installation of two-hour parking restrictions on the western side of Bridge Street between Yambo Street and Dora Street, Morisset.
- Signage and line marking associated with the construction of a residential subdivision on Floraville Road.