Draft Operational Plan and budget 2023-2024

Lake Macquarie City Council will push ahead with a $118.8 million capital works spend over the next financial year after Councillors voted to adopt the 2023-2024 Operational Plan.

The plan outlines spending over the next 12 months, including key projects such as the Hunter Sports Centre expansion, replacement of bridges in Martinsville and reconstruction of Awaba House at Booragul.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said Council received more than 100 submissions during the draft plan’s public exhibition – a record for a mid-cycle Operational Plan.

“Key themes emerging from those submissions included a desire for us to upgrade local roads, improve traffic facilities like roundabouts and intersections, and increase spending on shared pathways and other pedestrian infrastructure,” she said.

“I’m pleased that these broadly reflect our focus of spending over the coming financial year.”

The plan outlines $22.8 million in spending on road resealing, resurfacing and rehabilitation for 2023-2024, with another $7.4 million to be spent on traffic and transport upgrades.

That includes intersection improvements at Alton Road, University Drive and Freemans Drive, Cooranbong, underpass lights at Fassifern Road, Fassifern, road rehabilitation on Harper Avenue, Edgeworth, intersection upgrades on Myall Road, Garden Suburb and road rehabilitation on Floraville Road, Belmont North and Piriwal Street, Pelican.

Council expects to spend $8.1 million on cycling facilities, and a further $5.7 million on footpaths and pedestrian improvements.

Cr Fraser said the Operational Plan presented a fully funded total budget of $351.3 million, with an operating surplus of $1.35 million, which aligned with Council’s long-term financial plan.

“This is the first time in five years we’ve forecast an operating result surplus, which is exceptional given the challenging economic circumstances,” she said.

“This year’s plan provides almost $120 million worth of new and replacement infrastructure. We are a growing city and it’s important we keep up with this growth to meet community needs and expectations.”

Lake Macquarie City Council is set to spend more than $113.4 million on roads, drains, sports grounds and other capital works projects across the city in the next financial year.

A draft Operational Plan on public exhibition outlines spending over the next 12 months, spearheaded by a $22.8 million investment in road improvements, including resealing, resurfacing and rehabilitation, and $27 million on community and sporting facilities.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said Council’s draft Operational Plan was a blueprint to help the city grow and prosper.

“We want to hear from the community to make sure we have our priorities right when it comes to spending and investment across our city,” she said.

CEO Morven Cameron said this year’s plan had been streamlined to simplify reporting and make it easier to understand and navigate.

“We are always committed to critical infrastructure like roads, drains, parks and playgrounds, but local government covers an incredibly wide range of services, infrastructure, events and activities,” she said.

“The proposed spending outlined in the draft 2023-2024 Operational Plan reflects that.”

Key projects include:

• expansion of the Hunter Sports Centre and new NSW Trampoline Centre of Excellence at Glendale
• replacement of bridges on Owens Road, Martinsville
• completion of the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track
• reconstruction of Awaba House at Booragul
• preparation of the draft Morisset Place Strategy and North West Lake Macquarie Catalyst Area Place Strategy.

Council plans to spend $8.4 million over the next financial year on new paths and cycleways, and $3.7 million on new playgrounds and other places to play, including a new BMX pump track at Redhead.

The forecast budget includes $287 million in operating revenue and $286 million in total expenditure, resulting in a $1.4 million operating surplus.

Funding is also included for completion of a new Community Recycling Centre at Belmont North, providing a nearby place for thousands of residents in eastern Lake Macquarie to drop off problem wastes such as paints, oils, gas bottles, smoke detectors and batteries for free.

The draft Operational Plan 2023-2024, which marks the second year of Council’s current Delivery Program, is on public exhibition until 25 April.