Imagine Lake Mac Strategy

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Thank you to everyone who contributed to this consultation. You may know the Strategy by a different name? During the Strategies final rendition, it's name changed to Imagine Lake Mac Strategy.

Council adopted Imagine Lake Mac on Tuesday 11 June. The Strategy provides strategic direction for the land use and land management of the City for the next 30 years.


Thank you to everyone who contributed to this consultation. You may know the Strategy by a different name? During the Strategies final rendition, it's name changed to Imagine Lake Mac Strategy.

Council adopted Imagine Lake Mac on Tuesday 11 June. The Strategy provides strategic direction for the land use and land management of the City for the next 30 years.



  • Major changes outlined in long-term Lake Mac strategy

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    Reinventing town centres across Lake Macquarie and potentially doubling the number of people living and working in the Cardiff and Glendale area are among the bold ideas outlined in a draft strategy to guide the city to 2050 and beyond.

    Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Integrated Planning, Wes Hain said the draft Lake Mac 2050 Strategy – now on public exhibition – would guide change across the city for the next 30 years.

    “This document provides a blueprint for long-term public and private investment,” Mr Hain said.

    Plans include:

    • potentially doubling the number of people working and living in Cardiff and Glendale by 2050;
    • orienting town centres in Belmont and Toronto to take advantage of their lakeside location;
    • establishing public transport interchanges at Charlestown, Glendale and Morisset;
    • transforming Morisset into a major centre linking south Lake Macquarie with the Central Coast.

    Mr Hain said the city’s population was expected to grow by more than 23 per cent by 2050, to 250,000.

    “The number of dwellings will increase from 82,595 to an estimated 112,397 in 2050,” Mr Hain said

    “We are already planning for more diverse housing to meet this need, particularly in and near our town and local centres.

    “More housing, transport options, jobs and services in the town centres will drive economic growth, provide easier access to services and give rise to exciting community spaces.”

    The draft strategy also outlines top-line objectives and directions for the city, identifying priority areas for change and investment.

    “These were determined after a comprehensive review of planning studies, community consultation and other research,” Mr Hain said.

    The strategy reinforces the role of Lake Macquarie’s three strategic centres in Charlestown, Glendale and Morisset, with town centres at Belmont, Cardiff, Mount Hutton, Swansea, Toronto and Warners Bay.

    “Local centres such as Valentine and Wangi Wangi, and Caves Beach also play their part in providing a focus for the local community,” Mr Hain said.

    “We are fortunate in Lake Macquarie to have so many centres in attractive locations, close to business, transport and recreational activities,” Mr Hain said.

    “Our aim is to build on what we have, to capitalise on our advantages and create a city where future generations want to live, work, play and invest.”

    Mr Hain said the Lake Mac 2050 Strategy would replace Council’s Lifestyle 2030 Strategy.

    “Lake Mac 2050 has been written to reflect changing State planning policy, feedback from the community and anticipated social, economic and environmental trends,” Mr Hain said.

    “I encourage everyone in Lake Macquarie to look at this document and let us know whether they think we’ve got our priorities right.”

    The draft Lake Mac 2050 strategy is on exhibition for public comment for six weeks at shape.lakemac.com.au/lakemac2050.