DAs In Play

Why are these DAs listed here?

The CPPA endeavours to provide a summary of active applications in our area as outlined in the table Please consult LMCC’s website for a full listing: 

• DA = Development Application
• BC = Building Information Certificate
• TA = Tree Assessment
• CC = Construction Certificate
• CDC = Complying Development Certificate
• REF = Review Environmental Factors
• SC = Subdivision Certificate.
• MU = Mixed use
• RFB = Residential flat Building

Back in the day, the process of notification for development applications was a public listing by Council in the local newspapers and personal letters to neighbours.

As the internet capability grew, newspapers ceased and so did the broadscale notification.

Advice from the State government is “Talking to your neighbours about your development proposal, big or small, is always a good idea and often saves a lot of trouble down the track.”

Local Council will “notify neighbouring landowners by letter (where applicable).”

There is a lot of wriggle room in these suggestions. What happens if the neighbour is not so talkative? What happens if Council doesn’t think notification is applicable?

The notification process has been so diminished that the CPPA now reviews the DAs in our area that are listed on Council’s website so that neighbours can be made aware. DAs that involve mutli-dwelling proposals are usually critiqued as well for community impact.

There have been several instances where the first a neighbour knew of a proposed development was via the Chronicle, their heartfelt thanks confirmed that the service we were providing was valued.

The Progress Association is not anti-development, we are very much in favour of sustainable development that aligns with community values and respects the residents and the bushland setting in which we have chosen to live. Unfortunately, these values are often not reflected when developers endeavour to maximise profits and the expense of the community in which the development is occurring.

With the recent changes in what is permissible in the low-density residential zoning, the DAs In Play may prove to be a very useful tool, especially as community infrastructure is limited or non-existent.

Council’s local to-do list

Councils recently adopted Delivery Program 2025-29 and Operational Plan 2025-26 has a few items on their to-do list for our community. The majority of actions are planning and design so we can only hope the plans come to fruition.

• Jetty replacement at public wharf, Wharf Street, Toronto 
• Toronto Lyle Peacock Oval grandstand and amenities replacement 
• Plan and design new shared path at Booragul to Toronto Greenway via Fennell Bay 
• Plan and design drainage improvements at Excelsior Parade 
• Plan and design new footpath at Excelsior Parade
• Plan and design Toronto Foreshore Master Plan
• Complete playground replacement at Keith Barry Oval, 
• Plan and design drainage improvements at 9A Killara Close 
• Plan and design road rehabilitation at Ambrose Street, Carey Bay from Excelsior Parade to Brighton Avenue

Housing Diversity plan on pause for pondering

Council’s Housing Diversity Planning Proposal, a major planning document which has the potential to reshape residential zones across the City, was presented to the new Councillor cohort in December 2024. 

Thankfully the new councillors were concerned enough about the lack of genuine community consultation and city-wide impacts of this controversial issue to not support the proposal, request more information, have more options considered, and have several internal workshops to better understand the issues, options and implications. 

To address the housing crisis the State Government has already directed local governments to permit increasing housing density within 400m of designated train stations (Fassifern is not a ‘designated’ train station) and local business centres, including Toronto. 

In addition the State government is aiming “to permit three to six storey flat residential buildings in the R3 Medium Density Residential Zone within 800m proximity of town centres and train stations. It also aims to permit multi-dwelling housing, attached housing and two-storey residential flat buildings in the R2 Low Density Residential zone within 800m proximity of town centres and train stations” (p12 LMCC’s Recommendations to the Development and Planning Standing Committee Meeting - Monday 2nd December 2024)

Council is, however, proposing to allow for potential density increase in every R2 and R3 zoned block across the entire city, subject to their suitability. It will also allow suitable blocks to be subdivided down to 200sqm. 

From a local perspective where our community is dominated by large, often bushland, blocks in a R2 zone (low density, the proposed changes have the potential to see a land use change that would decimate our bushland corridor as building footprints are increased at the expense of our biodiverse assets. Council states the planning proposal applies to residential zoned land and will not increase risk to critical habitat or threatened species, populations or ecological communities, or their habitats. Within our community threatened species, such as Squirrel Gliders, Powerful Owls and Tetratheca juncea, do exist, fragmentation of vegetated corridors is a key driver of local extinctions and in a biodiversity crisis this should be acknowledged. Indeed,  Council’s own species management plans recognise this. 

Additionally, as many would be aware, our existing infrastructure is inadequate for the current population  let alone the projected increase. Footpaths are almost non-existent locally and Council has repeatedly advised that new ones will not be constructed due to geography and low population; increasing density in a geographically constrained area will still not result in more footpaths. Local roads are already too narrow in places hampering parking and access during construction projects. Public space per capita for the Toronto area has already been identified as not meeting the needs of the projected population increase.

Genuine community consultation is required to better understand the Council’s proposal and its impact. Only 20 submissions were received during the public consultation period. The question has to be raised, is this a representative sample of the residential population that will be impacted by the city-wide Housing Diversity Plan?

Our local councillors are keen to ensure that the community is aware of the very real impacts this proposal would deliver. 

Take a chance to read the Housing Diversity plan and communicate with your councillors. https://shape.lakemac.com.au/housing-diversity 

Cr Anthony Swinsburg is actively seeking community feedback. 

All Councillors have a workshop on the Housing Diversity proposal in early February. 

Our West Award Councillors are; 
Anthony Swinsburg (Ind) - aswinsburg@lakemac.nsw.gov.au 
Madeline Bishop (ALP) - mbishop@lakemac.nsw.gov.au 
Kate Warner (LI) - kwarner@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
Jason Pauling (Lib) - jpauling@lakemac.nsw.gov.au 

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.

DAs In Play 16/3/23 to 7/5/23

The CPPA endeavours to provide a summary of active applications in our area as outlined in the table at right.
Please consult LMCC’s website for a full listing: 

• DA = Development Application
• BC = Building Information Certificate
• TA = Tree Assessment
• CC = Construction Certificate
• CDC = Complying
• Development Certificate
• REF = Review Environmental Factors
• SC = Subdivision Certificate.
• MU = Mixed use
• RFB = Residential flat Building

DA's In Play 23/09/22 to 20/10/22

The CPPA endeavours to provide a summary of active applications in our area as outlined in the table. Please consult LMCC’s website for a full listing:

• DA = Development Application
• BC = Building Information Certificate
• TA = Tree Assessment
• CC = Construction Certificate
• CDC = Complying
• Development Certificate
• REF = Review Environmental Factors
• SC = Subdivision Certificate.
• MU = Mixed use
• RFB = Residential flat Building

Changes to the Bulk Waste Collection

The twice yearly kerbside bulk waste pick-up has been very popular across our city. However, like all systems, there are some flaws. A lot of what is put out could be reused, repaired or recycled and whilst some is collected by residents, most of it is not. And, as we have seen with this April’s wet weather, sodden dumps, including mattresses, have been sitting out on the kerb for two or three weeks. So LMCC officers have been reviewing the city’s bulk waste disposal and the scoping options for improvement. They have done a lot of research into what is put out and investigated services offered by other councils across NSW. One interesting finding is that about 30% of bulk waste collection is dumped opportunistically from out of area!

The gist of the new system is that households will keep their entitlement of two collections a year but will now have a choice of whether to book a collection when needed (e.g. to coincide with a move or renovation) or to use a voucher to take up to a trailer-load to Awaba free of charge. The booking system will allow some items to be redirected for reuse (e.g. furniture), repair (e.g. electricals) or recycling (e.g. metals, plastics, cardboard) with better facilities for each of these options. Overall the new system is proposed to be more convenient, facilitating reuse and recycling, reducing landfill, and making better use of ratepayer funds.

Details of the proposed changes can be found at www.lakemac.com.au/News-articles/Changes-planned-for-Lake-Mac-bulk-waste-service. The survey closed on April 18 but it is still worthwhile to look at what is proposed and keep an open mind.

Eco-Advocate Events with LMCC

LMCC’s Eco Advocate What’s On is published fortnightly and is dedicated entirely to the latest environmental events and opportunities in Lake Macquarie. You can subscribe to receive the eco-advocate directly into your inbox.

Make your own worm farm: 

Saturday 14 May, 10am-noon Toronto Hub, 97 The Boulevarde:

Reduce your local food waste and create wonderful organic garden fertiliser.
Join Lachlan Storrie from Treefrog Permaculture to make your own worm farm from reclaimed materials. This workshop will take you through the steps to create your own worm farm (including worms) to take home.
All materials and worms are supplied. Please bring a pair of gardening gloves. Suitable for adults and supervised children aged 10+.
Registrations are essential at events.humanitix.com/make-your-own-worm-farm.

National Volunteer Week celebration with Landcarers, Sustainable Neighbourhood groups, and Community Ecosystem Monitoring volunteers: 

Saturday 21 May, 10.00am – 12.30pm. Blackalls Park picnic shelter.

The day will feature a talk on Seagrass by Landcarer and Community Ecosystem Monitoring volunteer, Janet White. There will also be a nature walk.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided. Please BYO water bottle and coffee cups.

Visit humanitix.com to register by Tuesday 17 May.

Pay It Forward (M) Free movie screening 

Friday 20 May, 5.45 for 6.15pm screening. Rathmines Theatre, Stilling Street, Rathmines

As part of National Volunteers Week, LMCC are holding a series of events that celebrate and recognise our wonderful volunteers and your valued contribution to our community.

All Lake Macquarie volunteers are invited to this free movie screening, to say thank you for volunteering your time and your skills to enhance our neighbourhoods, our people and our environment.

Pay It Forward. Rated M

Like some other kids, 12-year-old Trevor McKinney believed in the goodness of human nature. Like many other kids, he was determined to change the world for the better. Unlike most other kids, he succeeded.

Registrations essential at eventbrite.com.au. Complimentary popcorn and soft drink on arrival. Cash bar available.

Chemical CleanOut: 

Sunday 15 May, 9am – 3.30pm Rathmines Boat Ramp off Dorrington Rd, Rathmines

Problem waste such as oil and water-based paints, car batteries, gas bottles, motor oil, as well as chemicals including pool chemicals, garden chemicals and poisons are accepted.

Only household quantities (20L or 20kg), except for paint. Up to 100L (in 20L containers) of paint accepted. For more information call the Environment Line on 131 555 or visit cleanout.com.au.

Toronto Action Group Update - March 2022

The Toronto Action Group (TAG) has reconvened for 2022. The TAG will continue to identify greater Toronto area issues, seek solutions and advocate on behalf of our community for action by Council.

Current issues include:

• Parking concerns in Toronto, especially around event management and foreshore access
• Inadequate management of garden beds on the southside of The Boulevarde
• Need for more parkland to meet the projected increase in population
• Diminishing tree canopy
• Need to improve the condition of the Toronto Wetland as a valuable community asset
• The potential for eco-tourism to thrive in the area

If you have any thoughts on what issues you’d like the TAG team to address email toronto.action.group.info@gmail.com

What will Lake Mac look like in 10 years?

The results from LMCC’s Engagement Summary, “Create Our Future Now” show that across the City the aspects of local living that we enjoy and issues we have been advocating for resonate widely. The following excerpts are from the Engagement summary available at https://shape.lakemac.com.au/lakemac2032

WHAT YOU LOVE (p.7)

The top four responses were:

• access to the lake and recreational activities

• beaches

• diverse landscape

• our city’s lifestyle

MAKING LAKE MAC BETTER (p.7)

The top four responses were:

• increased pedestrian and cycling infrastructure

• continued environmental focus

• appropriate levels of development across the city

• increased public infrastructure

YOUR PRIORITIES (p.7)

• Residential development that complements our unique character • Protecting our natural playground • Building lively town centres • Health care access • More outdoor spaces • Events spread around the city • Improved public transport • More connected shared pathways • A city accessible to all • Attracting and supporting the right industries • Supporting population growth • Tourism opportunities • Recognising Aboriginal culture • Celebrating our heritage • Public art and cultural events • Cultural and creative spaces • Transparency in council decision making • Engaging with council • Securing strategic partners

Interestingly on p.13, in relation to outdoor spaces, people identified they would like to see an increase of public space and infrastructure, particularly as the population continues to grow. People would like to see more parks and open space and supporting amenities as well as infrastructure such as exercise equipment in key locations.

In relation to residential development, (p11) people identified a concern about the type and amount of residential development taking place across the city. Concern was expressed that mixed-use residential development is changing the character of some town centres and placing increased pressure on current infrastructure. There were also concerns with urban sprawl and the effect this is having on bushland.

One of the themes that emerged around Shared Decision Making (p22) was transparency in decision making; people want to know that there is transparency in the decision-making process and that the views of the community have been taken into account prior to forming a decision. People also wanted to know more about how and why decisions are made.

The next stage of the Community Engagement process will see LMCC consult with the community during the formal exhibition of the draft Community Strategic Plan 2022-2032. LMCC will check back in with our community to ensure they’ve captured our input and that they’re heading in the right direction to achieve the values and aspirations of the community.

This plan will be developed at a critical time in our lives when the window of opportunity to limit global warming is closing. Your input into local government decision making is vital to ensure best possible social, environmental, and economic outcomes for our community. Councillors are our local representatives and sharing your thoughts with them is one way of Shaping Lake Mac into the future.

Our West Ward Councillors are

Clr Jason Pauling (LIB)- Deputy Mayor

M: 0417 416 577 jpauling@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

Clr David Belcher (ALP)

M: 0429 914 623 dbelcher@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

Clr Madeline Bishop (ALP)

M: 0407 157 901 mbishop@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

Clr Luke Cubis (LMIND)

M: 0429 939 475 lcubis@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

Progress Hall Working Bee & Bulk Wastes Changes

Progress Hall Working Bee
- Saturday 2/4/22 @9am - noon

We like to have a bit of a working bee at our community owned hall twice a year to align with council clean ups, and we haven’t had one for quite a while due to COVID, so we’re very excited to be back on track for Saturday 2nd April, 9 till noon. If you use the hall or like the concept of a community owned-hall we’d love to have your helping hands.

One of the activities we’ll be considering as we clean is can we donate any of the items that are additional to our needs to those in need in flood-affected areas.

There’ll be lots of activities to keep busy hands active as we clean anything that isn’t tied down, and active minds busy as we arrange our possessions into the most efficient space possible.

Whilst there’ll be committee members at the hall it’s also a chance to drop in and join the CPPA and have a cuppa with the crew at 10:30.

Membership forms and people to talk to will both be present.

If you’re considering coming along please RSVP to coalpointprogress@gmail.com so we can plan the productivity of the session.

Bulk Waste Service about to Change

Council is planning changes to its bulk waste service. There’s an opportunity to join an information session with Council staff to talk about future changes to the bulk waste service on Tuesday 22 March, 5pm, Online via MS Teams. The session will cover:

• What prompted a review of Lake Mac’s bulk waste service
• What we learned in our investigations
• What we’re proposing for the future
• Answering your questions
• Your feedback on the planned changes

To receive the meeting link please rsvp via email to admin@sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au

DAs In Play 20/12/21 - 6/2/22

The CPPA endeavours to provide a summary of active applications in our area as outlined in the table.

Please consult LMCC’s website for a full listing: 

• DA = Development Application
• BC = Building Information Certificate
• TA = Tree Assessment
• CC = Construction Certificate
• CDC = Complying Development Certificate
• REF = Review Environmental Factors
• SC = Subdivision Certificate.
• MU = Mixed use
• RFB = Residential flat Building

DA In Play 25/5/21 to 10/7/21

The CPPA endeavours to provide a summary of active applications in our area as outlined in the table.

Please consult LMCC’s website for a full listing: https://www.lakemac.com.au/Development/Planning-and-development-services/Application-Enquiry. 

DA = Development Application

BC = Building Information Certificate

TA = Tree Assessment 

CC = Construction Certificate, 

CDC = Complying Development Certificate, 

REF = Review Environmental Factors

SC = Subdivision Certificate.

MU = Mixed use

RFB = Residential flat Building

What’s happening with the foreshore Masterplan?

The Toronto Foreshore Masterplan was discussed and accepted by Council’s Built & Natural Assets Standing Committee on Monday 10 May and was adopted at Council’s Ordinary meeting on 24 May. The plan was only slightly modified following public consultation in March with a detailed report and revised plan being available at https://www.lakemac.com.au/Our-Council/Council-meetings. The 181 submissions had made various issues of concern including:

Traffic and parking issues are essentially dismissed with Council resolving to deal with these in one or two years via other planning strategies. Whilst a paved drop-off parking area will be provided near the Bath Street ramp there will not be dedicated trailer parking. There will be less car parking with this plan than before because of the loss of informal car parking at Bath Street.

There is no certainty whether a cafe will be part of the intended mix of uses for the proposed Bath Street single-storey building since it is stated several times that ‘The commercial venue proposed at Bath Street is not use-specific and can provide a number of end-uses depending on demand. Market testing will be undertaken during the detailed design.’

The rotunda (recently improved and widely used) near Tinto’s cafe will be demolished and a new type of rotunda built where an entry pavilion is planned.

Council has no intention to reclassify the Bath Street site from ‘operational’ to ‘community’ land. Council’s September 2019 resolution stated that it ‘Commences the process of investigating the reclassification of all or part of the Bath Street and Victory Row site to community land….’. To date

Council has not advised the community why it considers this land will not be reclassified, other than some commentary by staff related to ease of commercial leases.

The two remaining Victory Row properties will be demolished. No 5 Victory Row (2 storey house, dating to 1906), has the potential to be heritage listed and could be adapted for community uses.

The community might wonder whether Council is actually serious about public exhibition and comment when it so obviously ignores anything that does not accord with its predetermined position. Why go to such time and expense on the masterplan and then worsen traffic and parking congestion so that it will be more difficult for people to get to the Foreshore and Town.

Image: Toronto Foreshore Masterplan

‘ISN’T IT A PITY’ – Mel Steiner

In the words of George Harrison, ‘isn’t it a pity’ that Lake Macquarie City Council cannot develop - what could and should be a great Toronto Foreshore Park, into something that will attract the community and visitors and therefore – to use their words, ‘activate the foreshore’.

Instead, the current draft plan reduces the amount of parking, eliminates a boat ramp, and includes plans for a council owned revenue earning café / restaurant with its own parking – 8 or so spaces and not nearly enough, which means their customers will also be competing for parking spaces in the area. The one remaining publicly accessible ramp will become unusable because there is no boat trailer parking and combined with reduced car parking and almost negligible public transport, the result will be a deactivated foreshore.

Importantly, it will also have a negative impact on existing Toronto businesses that are already ‘activating’ the foreshore by providing facilities that encourage sizeable numbers of the community and visitors to make use of this fabulous foreshore location. Council should be working with local businesses, not against them.

Your chance to comment on Toronto’s Foreshore Masterplan

This Masterplan has been a very long time in coming, but at its meeting on 22nd February, Council endorsed the draft Masterplan, which is open for public comment until 22nd March.

The plan and associated details can be found on Council’s website. Large-format hard copies are available in the Library and are easier to read. Feedback is through a survey and/or submission to Council. Everyone is urged to give feedback to Council and encourage others to do so. Our Foreshore and Lake are the jewels of Lake Macquarie!

The planners have looked at the potential of every square metre and incorporated new amenities and landscaping that will greatly improve the recreational use of this hitherto rather neglected foreshore strip.

A few minor changes have been made following the public consultation in December/January: shared and walking path locations are now shown, a small shade pavilion replaces the existing rotunda, and there are car drop-off points. The plan incorporates a number of facilities and additions that will allow improved use of the relatively small area for everyone in formalised and natural settings.

However, the proposed small, single-storey building on the Bath Street site is still sketchy, other than ‘potential cafe and bike hub’. Council’s foreshadowed reclassification from ‘operational’ to ‘community’ land for some of the Bath Street site and the remaining Victory Row parcels has yet to occur.

Two other key issues have not yet been adequately dealt with. These are parking and boat access to the Lake. They are discussed below from the perspectives of the TFPG and RMYC Toronto, respectively.

FORESHORE MASTER PLAN FAILS ON PARKING

A good masterplan doesn’t just look good on paper/screen. It also addresses the practicalities. Toronto’s foreshore will only be ‘activated’ if people can get there without too much inconvenience. Access means that traffic and parking must be part of the design, not an after-thought.

As it stands, the masterplan adds ‘facilities’, including a cafe, but takes away quite a lot of parking. Parking spaces are shown on the maps, but no estimate is given of the net impact. Blind Freddy can see that more people and less parking is a recipe for chaos and frustration.

In respect to parking, Lake Macquarie Council has failed the community three times over. First, it did not require in the contract that the planners should calculate the net impact on traffic and parking, including boat trailers (which have been banished). Second, community concerns expressed during the preliminary consultation seem to have been ignored. Third, Council does not have an updated Traffic & Parking strategy to address Toronto’s growing population (which Council is underwriting). Hardly integrated planning.

No-one wants the Foreshore to become a carpark. No-one wants the township to be over-whelmed by traffic and parked cars. But if people can’t get to the Foreshore, they will stay away, which is not ‘activation’.

The Mayor and councillors need to explain how people will be able to get their boats, kayaks, etc. into and out of the Lake, how picnickers will get their gear to/from the Foreshore, how families will manage with strollers and young children, or the elderly/disabled. ‘First in first served’ is not good enough.

There are not many options, but there are some. Angle parking on both sides of Bath Street would help to accommodate patrons to the Yacht Club and café, as would more parking behind the café, which could be moved forward. Victory Parade could be better managed. A loop bus would help to move people around if they have to park further away. And it must all be safe for pedestrians.

The Mayor and Council must ensure that the money spent on consultants is well spent and that the CEO and staff are doing their job to provide a framework to integrate the Masterplan. Ignoring obvious problems is not planning.

The RMYC’s Perspective

The RMYC raised the following points in a letter to Councillors with supporting documentation that can be viewed on the http://tfpg.org.au website.

In our response to the preliminary Toronto Foreshore Master Plan (FMP) released in late 2020, we indicated that the club supports the direction and that it was clearly an improvement on Council’s original proposal. At the same time, our response pointed to deficiencies that were also highlighted in ‘community consultation / pop up sessions. The club is disappointed that those deficiencies have now been replicated in the draft FMP.

The following points summarise our more detailed response:

1. Parking is not addressed in the preliminary or draft FMP. If the FMP intent is to activate the foreshore, it will need sufficient parking along with frequent and accessible public transport.
2. Lake Macquarie is an aquatic playground but this plan barely addresses boating needs.
3. Angle parking could easily be accommodated on the southern side of Bath Street.
4. The northern side of Bath Street might also have some right-angle parking interspaced with trees. The RMYC are keen to discuss leasing the footpath area in Bath Street alongside the club for its long-term parking needs.
5. Removal of the Wharf Street launching ramp will put pressure on the Bath Street ramp, where no trailer boat parking is planned. Whilst the Bath Street ramp is part of the RMYC Toronto Marina’s Permissive Occupancy, it is available to be used – and is used as a free of charge - as a public ramp.

Several other considerations have been overlooked in regard to RMYC Toronto’s position on the Foreshore:

1. Parking on the Bath Street site is not primarily overflow for RMYC. During the peak of the Covid19 pandemic, the RMYC car park was empty but workers in/visitors to Toronto continued to park on Bath Street.
2. The Bath street site is used as overflow parking when there are big community and Lake based recreational activities. These include the Heaven Can Wait Charity Sailing Regatta as held in February 2021 and which – over 15 years, has raised $470,000 in support of Cancer Council and Marine Rescue.
3. Combined with support for recreational boating, club support for community-based events (more than 300 in total), brings many visitors to Toronto, thereby helping to ‘activate’ the Foreshore.
4. The RMYC is a 90-year-old, Not-For-Profit, community-based club, (2,600 members), with no debt and housed in a heritage building (the former Arnott’s holiday home). It deserves to be supported by Council, not penalised.

We understand that council are now undertaking a Lake Activation Study (opened for comments on 10/3/21) and a Toronto Traffic Study. RMYC hopes that these will be brought together in an integrated plan and would welcome such assurance.

Additional community concerns have been raised about the lack of recognition and respect of heritage and historical values highlighted by the proposed removal & replacement of the rotunda which was built in 2002, and which houses 7 plaques recognising significant local events and has strong social ties with the community. Could it be retained and enhanced to both save a community structure and reduce the wastage associated with demolition and rebuilding?

Feedback to Council by 22nd March

https://shape.lakemac.com.au/future-toronto

How much can one community comment on in a month?

LMCC has their pedal to the metal with plans-a-plenty for comments during March.

The Lake Activation Strategy comments due 30th March. It will help shape decisions about the replacement, renewal or enhancements of things like boat ramps, jetties, parking, shared paths and swimming areas. Plus, it will also help in discovering new opportunities for the foreshore, and current and future community events.

The strategy applies to the lake and importantly any council owned and managed foreshore land that adjoins it. The strategy will assess current usage and identify future needs and opportunities. It will measure the adequacy of lake and foreshore infrastructure and facilities to meet those current and future needs and will develop a 10-year Action Plan to map how we will deliver our agreed vision for the lake.

The draft Walking, Cycling and Better Streets Strategy is currently on exhibition until 30th March. 

Council staff and the Active Transport Advisory Group (ATAG) have been developing this document for almost two years. Carey Bay local, Nico Marcar, is a member of ATAG and encourages everyone to comment. ”This plan is greatly improved on 2012 version with an improved decision making process to inform one year operational and four year implementation programs. This is a significant document for our community with lots of potential routes mentioned, including a Kilaben Bay to Rathmines connection along the waterfront”.

LMCC’s Urban Greening Strategy is welcoming comments until 1st April. This new, key Council planning document aims to ensure the green areas in our city continue to grow and thrive for years to come. Trees play a critical role in creating healthier, more liveable and sustainable urban environments and mitigating urban heat effects.

Toronto is one of 11 suburbs in the city identified as being most impacted by extreme heat mainly due to increased impervious cover and higher dwelling density.

With Council recently joining a select group of 120 cities across the world as a ‘Tree City of the World’, comments on how we can make our urban areas greener and cooler are welcome.

BATH STREET – “BUMPS AND CIRCUITS”

Council considered a report from staff at its meeting held 28th September, 2020, regarding the Bath Street site. The report recommended that Council now proceed with design, and obtaining Development Consent, for the previously mooted “boutique café” (with potential for some hire facilities) but still retain the site as commercial Operational Land. Obviously, most people thought that this café was a much better outcome than the original proposal of a commercial building of up to six storeys high. 

The details on the actual size and extent of the café building with a large deck, were very generalised and vague, with the Mayor at one point in the meeting referring to it as a restaurant. Councillor Wendy Harrison moved to both define the size of the development and to reclassify the site as Community Land, that would become part of the adjoining Foreshore Park.

Council adopted that part of Cr Harrison’s motion defining the size and extent of the development, but not the other part to reclassify this Council owned property to Community Land. The only argument presented for this position was the claim that commercial Operational Land classification provides staff with more business opportunities and easier leasing arrangements. This was disappointing given that the legislation really only provides for very minimal controls to protect basic community interests or standards, when leases are granted for private businesses to operate on Community Park Land.

Council’s own planning documents show that Toronto needs more park land to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population and the increasing number and size of apartment blocks in the nearby area. The decision not to incorporate the Bath Street site into the Foreshore Park therefore seems very short-sighted.

Earlier this year Council purchased a privately owned property at Swansea that adjoins a foreshore park so that the park could be expanded. At Toronto, Council already owns the land and there is a demonstrated need for parkland. The community is entitled to ask why there is such differential treatment between the two suburbs?

DA In Play to 5/11/20

The CPPA endeavours to provide a summary of active applications in our area as outlined in the table.

Please consult LMCC’s website for a full listing: https://www.lakemac.com.au/Development/Planning-and-development-services/Application-Enquiry.

• DA = Development Application
• BC = Building Information Certificate
• TA = Tree Assessment
• CC = Construction Certificate,
• CDC = Complying Development Certificate,
• REF = Review Environmental Factors
• SC = Subdivision Certificate.
• MU = Mixed use
• RFB = Residential flat Building

Pre-DA to ponder

There’s a new tool available to see what council’s plans for housing supply within our community are prior to the DAs being lodged, it’s the LMCC Urban Development Program (UDP). It monitors our City’s residential development pipeline in both greenfield and infill areas. A link to the UDP is on our website.

On the map you can see pre-development applications are in process at

• 2 Brighton Ave for 18 small lot dwellings
• 149 Excelsior Pde for 20 small lot dwellings
• 163-167 Excelsior Pde for 28 small lot dwellings
• 44 Brighton Ave for 10 small lot dwellings
• 114 Carey St has 129 RBF MU dwellings
• The Carey Bay Squash Courts has 23 RBF MU dwellings

Also shown are the approved 5 lot subdivision at 25-27 Kilaben Rd and 22 dwellings at 20 Laycock St.

Where are the community spaces and footpaths to support this growth?

HOW GOOD IS THE GOOD NEWS ON THE FORESHORE?

The Toronto community has welcomed the recent news that Lake Macquarie City Council will place a modest café on the waterfront at Bath Street site and not a six-storey apartment tower.

On the surface the community’s two-year campaign to preserve the public foreshore for recreational use looks to have been successful, however, community unease still exists that Council is not following up with all of its previous decisions to protect this key piece of public waterfront for future generations.

The concern is that the ‘operational’ land of the proposed café and car park could still be sold off to a developer and, under the current zoning, be built upon at higher density.

Council’s resolution of September 2019 to defer further work on the large commercial development at Bath Street also included the integration of this site into the Toronto Foreshore Masterplan and initiating a process to reclassify the site as ‘community’ land.

Unfortunately, the community is still in the dark over Council’s implementation of the other aspects of last year’s resolution, still waiting almost 12 months later! 

In the past few years Council has reclassified numerous ‘Community land’ holdings around Toronto to ‘Operational land’, allowing the lots to be commercially developed or sold. It would be equitable for the Toronto region to regain some public land by reclassifying the Bath St site to ‘Community land’ for future generations .

TFPG and community leaders want Council to respond to the urgent need to provide more and not less recreational parkland for our rapidly growing population. The COVID crisis has brought even more awareness of the need for open-air public recreation.

TFPG is advocating for the Bath Street and adjacent ‘operational’ land to be reclassified and rezoned as ‘community’ land in perpetuity. Community classification does not preclude a long-term lease of compliant businesses such as café, information centre or equipment hire.

TFPG are encouraging the community to respond to the Council's online survey and include a comment about the importance of permanent protection of all the public foreshore as ‘Community land’.

Council’s very brief online survey https://shape.lakemac.com.au/future-toronto is providing an opportunity for the community to say what features they would like to see included on the Bath Street parkland. The survey is open till Monday 24 August.

Make your comment count.

DA's In Play to 13/7/20

The CPPA endeavours to provide a summary of active applications in our area as outlined in the table.

Please consult LMCC’s website for a full listing:
https://www.lakemac.com.au/Development/Planning-and-development-services/Application-Enquiry.

DA=Development Application, BC= Building Information Certificate TA=Tree Assessment, CC=Construction Certificate, CDC= Complying Development Certificate, REF= Review Environmental Factors, SC=Subdivision Certificate.