Council meeting highlights – 23 July 2012

Date Posted: 24 July 2012

Please see below for highlights on final determinations made at Monday night’s meetings of Lake Macquarie City Council.  The full agenda and reports are available at Meeting Agendas and Minutes.

12COMM008 - Belmont Foreshore and Baths Enclosure

Council decided to maintain its current position that shark netting is not required in Lake Macquarie.  Council officers will further investigate design and cost estimates for improved recreational access and access for people with a disability.

12COMM009 -  Proposed Lease of Space for Cardiff Library

Council has agreed to relocate Cardiff Library to a leased space in the shopping centre.  This will create a more accessible, larger library space in a modern shopping centre and will provide residents with an opportunity to combine their shopping with a visit to the library.

12RE006 - Amendments to the Lake Macquarie Sea Level Rise Preparedness and Adaptation Policy

Council approved amendments to the Lake Macquarie Sea Level Rise Preparedness and Adaptation Policy and the change of its name to The Lake Macquarie Waterway Flooding and Tidal Inundation Policy.  The policy now incorporates all the risks from lake flooding, including predicted sea level rise, and the name of the policy now reflects its content.  The policy was  broadened to reflect the findings of the Lake Macquarie Waterway Flood Risk Management Study and Plan completed this year. 

12SP101 - Motions to the 2012 Local Government Association of NSW Conference

Council endorsed recommendations to go to the Local Government Association Conference in October.  The four motions focus on the standard instrument local environmental plans, assisting local government to adapt to climate change, improving management of biodiversity offsets, and facilitating energy efficiency and renewable energy.

12SP103 - Adoption of draft Lake Macquarie Town Centres DCP 2012 and Adoption of Revision 8 to DCP No. 1

Council adopted the Lake Macquarie Town Centres Development Control Plan 2012, with an amendment to exclude reference to the Warners Bay Town Centre Area Plan.   Councillors decided to defer the section on Warners Bay in order to request advice from the Division of Local Government as to whether Council has a conflict of interest. The document now provides guidelines for new development in the town centres of Belmont, Charlestown, Cardiff, Swansea, Toronto, and Morisset.  The draft Warners Bay Town Centre Area Plan will now be incorporated into the draft DCP 2012 to be exhibited later this year.

  • 12SP104 - Exhibition of Draft Lake Macquarie Local Environmental Plan 2012 (LEP Template)
  • 12SP105 - Exhibition of Draft Lifestyle 2030
  • 12SP106 - Exhibition of Draft Lake Macquarie Development Control Plan 2012

Council will exhibit the city’s three main planning documents to give the community the opportunity to see the details of the plans and the associated implications.  The plans will be exhibited for three months later this year. Council again expressed concern regarding the LEP templates and their inability to reflect local needs.

12SP109 - Foreshore Development (Jetty Extension and Seawall Retrofit) - Illford Avenue Buttaba

Council refused an application for a property at Buttaba to extend an existing jetty and provide rock groynes in front of an existing seawall at the site. It was refused as it is not consistent with local and state planning controls, would create adverse environmental impacts during construction, would have an adverse visual impact, and would set an undesirable precedent.

12SP110 - Animal Establishment - 39 Forest Road Wyee

Council refused a development application to modify an existing development consent for an animal establishment at Wyee. The application was refused due to noise, traffic and parking issues, and proximity to neighbouring dwellings.  Council staff will also seek legal advice on enforcing the existing development consents.

12SP111 - Morisset McDonald's - 24 hour operation of “Drive Thru”

Council approved a 12-month trial of 24 hour operation of the drive thru service at Morisset McDonald’s.  The application originally sought approval for the operation of the restaurant as well, but this was withdrawn during the assessment process.

12SP114 - Lake Macquarie Waste Strategy Project - Execution of Contracts for Organic Waste Processing and Green & Organic Waste Collection & Bin Supply

Council has agreed to enter into contracts that have arisen from its waste tenders.  Council will now execute contracts with Remondis Australia for the waste processing service and with Solo Resource Recovery for the supply and collection of green waste bins.