Comments due 26 July
https://shape.lakemac.com.au/lake-activation
The Toronto and Morisset census areas make up 28% of the population of Lake Mac and is targeted for population growth, with a low-density settlement pattern. Combined with changing employment patterns and an older age demographic, this means that car transport now dominates our community and parking is a challenge in all economic centres, including Toronto.
Guiding Principles of the LAS include;
- Building and managing infrastructure sustainably, using low carbon and low energy designs and materials wherever possible;
- Delivering industry best practice and emerging circular economy principles. (Could this be an opportunity to keep or relocate the rotunda?);
- Optimising the public benefit from public foreshore land, now and in the future;
- Waterfront sailing club sites are seen as an important partner in Council’s vision to activate the lake, requiring strong relationships to implement the proposed Activation Precincts;
- The aging population means that demand for accessible waterfront activities and facilities is likely to increase. Older people also require parking within a short walk of foreshore recreational facilities;
- Public waterfront land should be managed for public benefit. This is a key object of the Crown Lands Management Act (2016). While there is opportunity for some commercial ventures in some foreshore reserves, private use of public land should facilitate and not exclude access and amenity for the public;
- Parking was raised as a key issue of concern and a barrier to lake activation. Community members noted that more parking was needed in Toronto, including disabled parking to cope with events and markets that are held in the area; and
- A number of clubs and organisations around the Lake noted that parking, including trailer parking was a challenge and having reserves and cleared areas of land close to the Lake was seen as beneficial as these could be used for overflow parking during events, such as regattas.
So with these principles in mind and looking for the action items (ID number) of local interest, the following interesting items were noted;
High priority items to occur within 3 years include; (1.5) Upgrading the Lions Park boat ramp and (2.2) Investigating opportunities to locate tourism focused businesses to support lake activations in Toronto.
Medium term priorities 3-8 years include; (1.6) Removing the Wharf Rd boat ramp,(1.7) Reviewing Council’s Dinghy storage policy as user-pays model,(1.9) Investigating and evaluating options for the provision of a Level 3 enclosed accessible swimming facility, (4.1) Investigating opportunities to activate bushland reserves with innovative recreation and tourism options, (4.6) Investigating opportunities to leverage the lake’s sports heritage and the unique landscapes with signature water sports events and more.
Low priority items on the 8-12 year horizon include; (1:13) Working with waterfront sailing and rowing clubs to investigate additional boat storage opportunities for small vessels,(4.4) Investigating tourism focussed transport businesses e.g seaplanes and ferries,(4.5) Investigating partnerships for lake frontage dining and accommodation with unrestricted views
Ongoing items that will continue through the life of the strategy are (1:12) Maintain boat excluding swimming areas within Local (Level 1) places until end of asset life.
There is a lot to consider in this document and many questions raised such as:
- Will the Bath St issue raise its head in 8-12 years (4.5)?
- If sailing club partnerships are so important to activation and reducing parking congestion, why are they such a low priority (1.13)?
- If the Dinghy storage system is a user-pay model will this still result in dinghies dominating foreshore reserves but council collecting revenue (1.7)?
- What will happen to the Kilaben Bay Baths? Is it at the end of its asset life (1:12)?
- What kind of swimming enclosure will Toronto get (1.9)?
- What recreation/tourism opportunities might happen in our bushland reserves (4.1)?
Details of the Action Items above, and a few more as outlined in the report are provided below
High priority items to occur within 3 years include;
1.5 Upgrading the Lions Park boat ramp as the current ramp does not provide safe access and nearshore navigability for medium sized craft – the most popular trailer boat size. Options to consider realignment, reconstruction, nearshore dredging and pontoon provision.
2.2 Investigating opportunities to locate tourism focused businesses to support lake activations in Toronto as clusters of small businesses increase the diversity of recreation options, thus activating the use of the lake and increasing opportunities for recreation on the lake.
Medium term priorities 3-8 years
1.6 Removing the Wharf Rd boat ramp as there is no room for boat trailer parking at this location. The foreshore provides for direct launching of small sail, rowing, or paddling vessels.
1.7 Reviewing Council’s Dinghy storage policy. Investigating a user – pay system for private beneficiaries of public land storage and implementing outcomes of the policy review at high mooring density locations and reserves containing dinghies located on the foreshore. Informal dinghy storage reduces amenity, public access and use of foreshore reserves. It impacts maintenance activities and can have a negative impact on vegetation. Dinghy storage is a private benefit.
1.9 Investigating and evaluating options for the provision of a Level 3 enclosed accessible swimming facility within the Northwest at Rathmines or Toronto. Additional facilities are proposed to be located on the western side of the lake, to serve the north to central part of the western suburbs Bolton Point to Wangi Wangi Point. The proposed facilities will be inclusive and accessible for all abilities.
1:10 Investigating opportunities to provide boat excluding swimming areas in District (Level 2) sites.
2.4 Providing supporting infrastructure including power, water, and lighting within reserves to support festivals/events with the aim of reducing barriers, set-up/ bump-in time and costs for organisers of small to medium events at district level events, supporting more diverse and active community events.
4.1 Investigating opportunities to activate bushland reserves with innovative recreation and tourism options to support recreation in natural settings and nature-based tourism.
4.6 Investigating opportunities to leverage the lake’s sports heritage and the unique landscapes with signature water sports events because the length and diversity of accessible foreshore opens opportunities, potentially at night to distinguish it from other locations.
4.7 Investigating the need for a national sail excellence centre as a way to promote and activate the lake.
Low priority items on the 8-12 year horizon include;
1:13 Working with waterfront sailing and rowing clubs to investigate additional boat storage opportunities for small vessels as the provision of additional public boat storage within existing facilities and locations in addition to launching at these locations would assist to reduce car parking demand for loading and unloading of small craft at public boat ramps.
4.2 Investigating opportunities for arts and cultural activation and entertainment in foreshore areas creating special attractions over water.
4.3 Supporting innovative and creative opportunities for recreation by facilitating new activities in public spaces such as lakeside pop-up activations.
4.4 Investigating tourism focussed transport businesses e.g seaplanes and ferries, to offer diversity, difference and a sense of occasion of major events.
4.5 Investigating partnerships for lake frontage dining and accommodation with unrestricted views to provide services that offer connection to and interaction with the lake for both local residents and visitors.
Ongoing items that will continue through the life of the strategy are;
1:12 Maintain boat excluding swimming areas within Local (Level 1) places until end of asset life.
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