Council’s Agendas for our community

One of the pleasures in putting the Chronicle together is catching up on what Council has planned for our community. It often takes time to do the find-search through the hundreds of pages of multiple documents that embed the detail in tables and maps, sort of like an easter-egg hunt really. Following are some of the treasures discovered in the recent searches.

Toronto Foreshore updates from LMCC

The Toronto Foreshore Masterplan (TFM) February update predicted that the next phase of the Foreshore revitalisation works is progressing, with construction for $1 million in upgrades to enhance the Toronto Baths going ahead in April 2024.

The Baths upgrade aims to create an inclusive and fully enclosed space with improved accessibility features.

Expected to be completed by late June 2024, the upgrades include:

• a jetty extension
• an accessibility ramp with handrails
• replacement of existing jetty decking
• netting around the internal perimeter to enclose the swimming area and prevent the entry of large marine fauna.

Access to the baths will be closed during construction.

The December update discussed how the detailed design of the baths building will feature toilets, showers, change-rooms and facilities for those living with disability.

Other recent TFM project developments included:

• completion of geotechnical investigations for the Wharf Road and Goffett Park precincts, with detailed design works due to be complete by mid-2024.
• design and approval documents are progressing for upgrades to Toronto Baths.

Council predicts that it is on track for works to begin on the Wharf Road Precinct of the TFM, including the Toronto Baths enclosure in mid-2024. This precinct includes:

• expansion of the playground
• cafe refurbishment
• expanded amenities
• shade pavilion and seating with barbecues
• outdoor fitness zone
• landscaping and pathways
• two accessible car parking spaces at the end of Wharf Road
• the removal of the boat ramp at Wharf Road.

Council’s Operation plan outlines the 2024-25FY projects that have been allocated budget including -

• Delivery the Toronto Foreshore Master Plan’s detailed design and delivery of capital works actions for Stages 3,4,5 and 6
• Lake Mac libraries are expanding the self-access services at the Toronto library.
• The draft Teralba to Toronto Climate Resilience Plan will be presented to Council for exhibition.
• Plan and develop road rehabilitation at Milford Street, Toronto between Awaba Road and Carleton Street

A Draft Active Recreation Strategy is now on Public Exhibition for community comment till 30 April

https://shape.lakemac.com.au/activelakemac

In the summary ‘Analysis of Hierarchy Distribution’ it identified that the Toronto planning catchment area provides two neighbourhood active recreation hubs (Bolton Point, Rathmines) supported by three local sites (Bolton Point Park, Ron Hill Oval, Wangi Foreshore).

There are some minor gaps in provision around Awaba, Wangi Wangi and Coal Point.

It recommended the establishment of a neighbourhood hub in the Toronto catchment to provide two to three active recreation facilities or one key attractor that people will travel to e.g. a skate park or BMX pump track. Neighbourhood hubs have a 10-minute drive-time catchment.

Some active recreation facilities are already planned such as a new multi-court at Hampton Street Reserve (Puntie Park) and the Toronto Foreshore Exercise Area as part of the current Toronto Foreshore Masterplan.

Also identified as part of the Toronto Contributions Plan in Toronto or Carey Bay is a new BMX facility at Toronto (Cook Street) or Carey Bay (Hampton Street Reserve/Puntei Park)

The only formally recognised walking trail in our area is the Kilaben Bay Nature Walk The walk starts from Toronto Fire Station down a fire trail and links to the elevated Boardwalks through to Kilaben Bay. The walk features five separate vegetation communities and over 100 different bird species. If you haven’t explored it, perhaps the school holidays will be a great time.

LMCC’s Infill Development Plan

LMCC’s Infill Development Plan has been adopted to facilitate infill housing in residential zones close to the business zones of Lake Macquarie. It is primarily intended to help unlock development in existing medium density residential areas. The intent is to support a range of infill residential development in areas already zoned for that purpose, but where such development is not well supported by current planning controls.

The planning proposal seeks to marginally increase the current ten metre height limit in the R3 Medium Density Residential zone, and in some cases the relevant Business zone close to and within town centres. This generally aims to enable three-storey development. In Toronto it could allow four- to five-storey residential development.

Council considers the proposed changes are minor in nature. In Toronto there are minor height variances from 10 to 11/12m and a small additional R3 zoned area proposed.

Whilst several community submissions regarding the proposal for Renwick Street were received, concerns were not considered important enough to change the outcome.