Creating a place for people in Toronto

A proposal for a small-scale boutique commercial and hospitality venue near Toronto’s foreshore in Lake Macquarie will be considered by Council next week, following community consultation in August.

The Council report summarises the feedback from community consultation completed last month, which focused on the community’s sentiment towards a concept for a small-scale food or beverage offering on the Bath Street site.

Council’s Manager Property and Business Development David Antcliff said a total of 420 responses were received as part of the consultation process and most were supportive of the Proposal.

“Delivery of a small-scale commercial offering combined with improved pedestrian access across the site will improve the site immensely,” Mr Antcliff said.

“There is an opportunity for the small-scale building to cater for several options, from functions to recreational equipment hire, with the ability to adapt as the community’s needs evolve.

“If the recommendation is endorsed by Council on Monday night, we will begin developing detailed designs and continue to consult the community as the design progresses, in conjunction with the Toronto Foreshore Master Plan.”

Monday’s Council report follows 12-months of review for the Bath Street site, which has seen the location assessed against the four pillars of Council’s Sustainability Policy and a review of the organisation’s property portfolio.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said “We know this location is really important for people in Toronto, so it’s pleasing to see people’s feedback and support for the concept of a small-scale development on this site.”

“Community consultation has influenced the proposal for this site. It shows we are listening to the community and it will be essential that we continue this dialogue as the process progresses.”

View the Council report at lakemac.com.au.

Council’s meetings continue to be held remotely due to COVID-19. The community can watch the meeting live at lakemac.com.au.

A proposal for a small-scale building to facilitate social connections through food and beverage offerings and complementary small business uses, such as recreational equipment hire, has been unveiled by Lake Macquarie City Council for 4 Bath Street and 1B Victory Row, Toronto.

Council’s Manager Property and Business Development David Antcliff said the lakeside precinct off Bath Street will be a diverse and dynamic foreshore celebrated for its versatility and open space.

“We’ve listened to feedback from our community through consultation, and taken into consideration a review of the best use of the site in line with our Sustainability Policy Review,” Mr Antcliff said.

“A new small-scale building is proposed for the space providing opportunities for casual lakeside dining, boutique functions and pop-up community events.

“Taking inspiration from its scenic lakeside location and adjacent 5ha of foreshore, the proposed precinct will feature indoor and outdoor dining opportunities, as well as pedestrian access improvements and new car parking. There is also an opportunity for a complementary small business such as kayak, bike or boat hire.”

Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said community consultation is an integral part of the planning process, and has influenced the proposal for this site.

“We are asking our community to reflect on the proposal presented to them and the benefits it could deliver for Toronto and western Lake Macquarie, and to have their say online,” Cr Fraser said.

“Importantly, we have listened to our community and undertaken a robust sustainability review of the project and the Toronto Foreshore Masterplan. I believe this is a really positive outcome and I’m looking forward to hearing what residents think about the proposal.”

The community is encouraged to visit shape.lakemac.com.au/future-toronto before Monday 24 August to comment on the proposal.

The Toronto foreshore is set to thrive for generations to come thanks to a multi-million dollar transformation of the lakeside precinct, and members of the community are invited to provide input into a blueprint for the future enhancement of the foreshore.

Council’s Property and Business Development Manager David Antcliff said this major project is the single biggest investment by Council in the foreshore precinct’s history, and will ensure Toronto continues to be a desirable lakeside destination.“Through a master plan shaped by community input, Toronto can continue to grow as a vibrant lifestyle destination with a new and improved foreshore area, more lake access and enhanced public open space and amenity,” Mr Antcliff said.

Residents, businesses and visitors are encouraged to take part in a series of workshops and pop-up sessions to inform the future of the Toronto Foreshore Master Plan by sharing feedback on design principles and ideas for the area.

“Council values community input and recognises that local knowledge is critical to the future management of the Toronto foreshore. This engagement builds on previous consultation and site analysis work, and the identified values of the foreshore including its unique character, history, aboriginal heritage and an accessible waterfront,” Mr Antcliff said.

Feedback received during this consultation period will inform the development of the draft Master Plan.

The Toronto Foreshore was identified as a priority for improvement in the Toronto Development Contributions Plan. Council has about $9 million in development contributions set aside to deliver foreshore improvements along the 5ha site.

“The Master Plan aims to provide a vibrant open space that supports a range of recreational and cultural uses and activities, so that it better serves the needs of the community for many years to come,” added Mr Antcliff.

Workshops will be held on Tuesday 6 August from 6-8pm and Saturday 10 August from 10am-noon at the Toronto Multi-Purpose Centre. RSVPs are essential for the community workshops. RSVPs can be made online at shape.lakemac.com.au/future-toronto.

Community pop-ups will also take place near the Rotunda at Toronto Foreshore on Tuesday 6 August between 11am-1pm and 2-4pm and on Saturday 10 August between 1-3pm and 4-6pm.

Residents can also complete the survey online at shape.lakemac.com.au/future-toronto.

A detailed analysis of Toronto Foreshore’s character and connectivity has been released to the public to shed more light on Lake Macquarie City Council’s proposed vision for the lakeside precinct.

The independently compiled Draft Urban Design Analysis provides key information that will be used to guide the precinct’s future.

Council’s Principal Projects Officer Bohdan Laforest said the analysis outlined the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the foreshore area, its buildings, topography and vegetation and its connectivity to surrounding streets.

“The Draft Urban Design Analysis, together with feedback received during phase one of our community consultation last year, will inform initial concepts for our Toronto Foreshore Master Plan,” Mr Laforest said.

“We will be seeking input from the community later this year to help develop concept designs for the foreshore, and how it will relate to the adjoining proposed mix-use development.”

Another report has also been released following community requests: a preliminary Environmental Constraints Study.

Mr Laforest said the report compiled in 2017 was part of an initial feasibility study for the proposed development, but no longer accurately reflects the options under investigation.

“Further analysis and community feedback has indicated that options raised in the Environmental Constraints Study were not appropriate solutions,” Mr Laforest said.

“However, Council is releasing the document to maintain transparency and to provide further background on the process of creating our Toronto Foreshore Master Plan.”

The 2019 Draft Urban Design Analysis and 2017 Environmental Constraints Study are both available for download from shape.lakemac.com.au/future-toronto.

Council is seeking ideas from the community to help transform the Toronto Foreshore into an attractive new community, tourist and lifestyle destination.

The first phase of community consultation for the Toronto Foreshore Master Plan opens today.

Manager Integrated Planning, Wes Hain, said Council wants to make the Toronto Foreshore a more inviting place for people by improving access and amenities and creating enticing destination points along the waterfront precinct fromGoffet Park to Bath Street.

“This initial round of consultation is the first of a number of opportunities the community will have to tell us what sort of recreational infrastructure, amenities and environment they would like to see on the Toronto Foreshore,” Mr Hain said.

“We are looking to revitalise underused areas of waterfront space, enhancing public access and amenities all along the extended foreshore precinct.

“This is a great opportunity to realise the potential of one of our City’s most picturesque town centres and waterfront areas.”

The Toronto Foreshore was identified as a priority for improvement in the Toronto Development Contributions Plan. Council has about $9 million in developer contributions to contribute to the project.

As part of the consultation, the community will also have the chance to have a say on how the mixed-use commercial development proposed for a vacant site at 4 Bath Street and 1B Victory Row integrates with the foreshore precinct.

Council determined in April to moved forward with the preparation of a design and development application for a medium-density building comprising a mix of residential, tourist and commercial space on the Council-owned Bath Street site.

Community members can contribute ideas and comments on the Toronto Foreshore Master Plan online at shape.lakemac.com.au/future-toronto or by visiting one of the following drop-in sessions.

• Wednesday 22 August - Toronto Town Square, 10am to noon.
• Saturday 1 September - Toronto Farmers and Artisan Market, Toronto Foreshore, 9am to noon
• Sunday 16 September - Toronto Lions Markets, Lions Park, Fennell Bay, 8am to 11am

Consultation on the Toronto Foreshore Master Plan will remain open until 9am on Monday 24 September.