Adapting Marks Point and Belmont South

This consultation has concluded. 

• Learn how to audit your local drains

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  The Pelican-Blacksmiths Sustainable Neighbourhood Group is encouraging residents to audit drains in their neighbourhood throughout April so they can report to Council on problems of design and maintenance.

  Council is holding a how-to session for the Group so interested community members can learn how to undertake a drain audit.

  When: Monday 31 March 2014

  Where: Marks Point Bowling Club

  Time: 5.15pm

  Contact the Pelican-Blacksmiths Sustainable Neighbourhood Group to find out how on [email protected]

   

• Getting it right: the impact of bush fires, floods and storms on insurance policies

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  Lake Macquarie City Council tried unravel the complexities of property disaster insurance for local residents by hosting a free information session on how insurance premiums are set and provide tips on getting a better insurance deal.

  
  Insurance Council of Australia’s, Policy, Risk and Disaster Planning Director, Karl Sullivan, spoke a group of Lake Macquarie residents on Thursday 13 February 2014 to discuss the impacts of extreme weather events on insurance policies.

  
  Council’s Manager Sustainability, Alice Howe, said participant feedback showed that the community found the information session beneficial.

  
  “With the recent bush fires in Lake Macquarie and extreme weather events across many parts of Australia and around the world, it was
  timely for Council to host an information session regarding insurance premiums and the impact extreme weather can have on policies and claims,” Dr Howe said.

  
  “Mr Sullivan brings a wealth of knowledge of Australia’s insurance industry and he was able to discuss various aspects of how people can better understand their insurance policies and what they can do to minimise the impact of insurance on their pocket.

  
  Mr Sullivan said it is common for members of the community to have questions about their insurance.

  
  “Community members often have valid questions about how insurance works and what needs to change in order to have sustainable insurance premiums into the future,” Mr Sullivan said.

  
  “Forums like this are a useful exercise where community members can ask those questions."

  
   

• Community on board for drains, rains and tides tour

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  Council staff took advantage of the 30 January ‘king tide’ to take  interested Lake Macquarie residents on a bus tour of Marks Point and Swansea to investigate how  our drains cope with changes in water levels.

  
  Guest speaker, Peter Evans from the local office of Environment and Heritage,  kicked off the tour at Swansea Channel with a discussion about the more  technical aspects of tides and their impact on the lake.

  
  “Tides vary slightly throughout the year, with the largest tides occurring  when the earth is closest to, and furthest from the sun. These tides are  commonly referred to as king tides,” Peter told the group.

  
  “The tidal range in the lake is only ten to fifteen centimetres, and due to  friction effects in the channel - the average water level in the lake is about  10 centimetres above that in the ocean.”

  
  Senior Sustainability Officer, Greg Giles, continued the discussion at Chapman Oval, where, armed with knowledge about tidal behaviour, participants discussed flood risks and projections in sea level rise.

  
  “As you would expect, average water levels in the lake rise by the same amount as the ocean, and lake flood levels will also rise by about the same amount,” Greg said.

   

  “In areas like Swansea, which experience full ocean tides, king tides offer us a small window into the future, as water levels reach the same levels as average ocean levels are expected to reach in 100 years.”

  
  Integrated Planning Project Officer, Heather Stevens, explained the importance of the bus tour in bringing the community further along the journey in planning for future flood risks.

  
  “In recent workshops we found that the community were reluctant to engage in adaptation planning for future flooding when they already had problems with nuisance flooding and poor drainage,” Heather says.

  
  “Many of the participants were pleased to get a better understanding of the complex relationship between the lake and ocean tides and our drainage system.”

  
  Community engagement in flood risk planning will continue throughout 2014 with the next event aimed at unravelling the complexities of property disaster insurance for local residents.

• Join in our online discussion forum

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  How should Lake Macquarie City Council undertake our adaptation plan to manage the impacts of future flooding in Marks Point and Belmont South?

  What would a successful Adaptation Plan look like?

  What sort of questions would it answer?

  We seek your advice and input.

  Find out more and have your say on our Online Discussion Forum.

• Join us at a drop-in session on Planning for Future Flood Risks this Tuesday

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  We’re keen to make sure that anyone with any questions - or people who want to talk through any particular issues - get an opportunity to discuss the project with Council staff.

  Community Drop-in Session 

  • Marks Point Public School
  • 17 September 2013
  • 3pm to 6pm

• Understanding flood maps

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  Council has prepared flood information maps that show areas possibly impacted by flooding in Marks Point and Belmont South. Easy access to flood risk information and land zone uses gives residents a better understanding of future flood risks.

• Join us at an information session

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  Two more community information sessions on the Planning for Future Flood Risks are planned in the upcoming weeks as part of the initial consultation phase of the project.

  
  

  We’re keen to make sure that anyone with any questions - or people who want to talk through any particular issues - get an opportunity to discuss the project with Council staff.

  Come talk to us at:

  Drop-in Information Stall

  • Belmont South Foreshore Reserve, Pacific Highway
  • 7 September 2013
  • 11am to 1pm

  Community Drop-in Session 

  • Marks Point Public School
  • 17 September 2013
  • 3pm to 6pm

• Use our interactive tools

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  Since the launch of the Planning for Future Flood Risks ‘Have your Say’ website in early August, a number of Lake Macquarie residents have had their voices heard on key issues. We value your feedback and would like you to join the online conversation.

  
  

  How can you be involved?

  • Register your interest  to be involved!
  • Take a short survey on what you think about flooding in the Marks Point and Belmont South region and what is important to you.
  • Attend an information session
  • Read over our frequently asked questions or post your own 
  • Get in touch with Council to request more information

  This consultation is a great chance to help shape the future of Marks Point and Belmont South and secure a safe and healthy future for the next generation.