Ordinary Council meeting highlights – Monday 11 December 2023

Published on 11 December 2023

See below for highlights of tonight’s Ordinary Council meeting. The full agenda and reports are available at meeting agendas and minutes.

The stream of tonight’s meeting will be available online at lakemac.com.au within 48 hours.

Addressing the housing crisis – Mayoral minute

Council approved a Mayoral minute to welcome the NSW Government’s focus on increasing housing supply through the delivery of more low-rise and mid-rise homes, call on the NSW Government to commit to forward planning and funding key infrastructure that unlocks housing and supports neighbourhood amenity and streamline the planning pathway for adaptive reuse of former mining lands to facilitate new residential and employment opportunities.

Amendments to fees and charges

Council noted there were no submissions during the public exhibition period related to the proposed changes to Fees and Charges 2023-2024 and adopted the proposed changes to the Fees and Charges 2023-2024.

Exhibition of Planning Proposal – 130 Munibung Rd, Boolaroo – C2 Environmental Conservation to R2 Low Density Residential

Council approved requesting a Gateway Determination from the Department of Planning and Environment relating to a planning proposal to rezone part of 130 Munibung Road and part of 30 Mackenzie Parade, Boolaroo from zone C2 Environmental Conservation to zone R2 Low Density Residential to facilitate residential development.

Council will request the use of delegations in respect of the Minister for Planning and Homes plan making function under section 3.36 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for the planning proposal, undertake consultation with State Government agencies, service authorities and traditional owners in accordance with the Gateway Determination and place the planning proposal on exhibition, subject to the outcome of the Gateway Determination.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said new residential housing stock was a priority for the city.

“The Boolaroo and Cockle Creek precincts are being targeted for major growth and a crucial part of that development will be creating more housing supply,” she said.

“Council is committed to exploring opportunities to unlock more housing options in Lake Macquarie to help combat the ongoing housing crisis.”

Residential flat building – 2 Mary Street, Argenton

Council endorsed a development standard variation under clause 4.6 of the Lake Macquarie Local Environmental Plan 2014, providing a maximum height of 12.85m - exceeding the 10m development standard by 2.85m - or 28.5 per cent, and approved development application DA/88/2023 for a residential flat building at 2 Mary Street and 83 Robert Street, Argenton, subject to conditions of consent.

Telecommunications facility – 1A George Booth Drive, West Wallsend

Council endorsed a development standard variation under clause 4.6 of the Lake Macquarie Local Environmental Plan 2014, providing a maximum height of 30m - exceeding the 5.5m development standard by 24.5m or 545.5 per cent - and approved development application DA/2726/2022 for a telecommunications facility at 1A George Booth Drive, West Wallsend, subject to conditions of consent.

Paper subdivision service extensions stage one – entering landowners agreements and future sale – Killingworth

Council endorsed entering into landowner agreements and performing works for 24, 29 and 31 The Boulevarde and 24 and 26 Sackville Street, Killingworth.

Council approved the sale of the following lots for a price consistent with the Acquisition and Divestment of Land Policy, as determined by market valuation: 16, 18, 20, 22, 26 and 28 The Boulevarde, and 28, 30 and 34 Sackville Street, Killingworth.

Council submission on the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal’s review for the 2024 annual determination

Council endorsed a submission to the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal on the fees payable to Councillors and Mayors.

Prioritising the footpath from 68 Deaves Road, Cooranbong to Cooranbong Park

Council approved a notice of motion to: note the community advocacy requesting the construction of the footpath via the tabled community petition, consider the priority of the construction of footpath from 68 Deaves Road, Cooranbong to Cooranbong Park, with regard to the criteria in the Walking, Cycling and Better Streets Strategy, and to provide feedback via memo to Councillors on options and communicating directly with the chief petitioner identified in the petition on the outcome.

Investment report – November 2023

Council received and noted a report identifying all money Council has invested under section 625 of the Local Government Act 1993.

Council Site Inspection - Myuna Bay - Demolition, decommission, remediation and earthworks

Council will seek approval of the Minister to refuse development application DA/1288/2023 for demolition, decommission, remediation and earthworks at 21A Wangi Road, Myuna Bay, on the grounds that the application is not in the public interest, based on the following reasoning:

• The loss of value of the existing infrastructure to the community in the absence of a proposed replacement facility.
• The need for accessible and publicly operated recreation facilities for the Lake Macquarie area.
• The loss of social capital generated by losing a publicly run facility to service all members of the community.
• The absence of detail for the future use of the site.

Council will request the relevant Minister release the deed of agreement between Origin Energy and Office of Sport for transparency and public interest.

Council will invite the Minister for Sport and Minister for Lands and Property to inspect the site as a matter of urgency, with the Mayor and representatives of the Office of Sport, so he can see first-hand its condition, attributes and potential and get a better understanding of Council’s concerns over the proposed demolition of buildings.