Planning for Windale

Almost 19ha of land in Windale would be rezoned for medium density housing to capitalise on its central location and growth under a draft Council plan open for public comment.

The draft amendment to the Lake Macquarie Local Environment Plan, and an accompanying draft Windale Area Plan, pave the way for greater diversity in housing between Windale and Mount Hutton shops.

More than 0.7ha of land on Lake Street across from the suburb’s existing retail strip would be rezoned from ‘medium density residential’ to ‘neighbourhood centre’, with the maximum development height for the entire retail precinct increased to three storeys.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Integrated Planning Wes Hain said various studies had identified significant potential for infill development in Windale to cater for the City’s future growth.

“The section of Windale proposed to be rezoned has excellent access to existing services, facilities and employment areas,” Mr Hain said.

“We want to revitalise and grow this area, and that goal is reflected in recent and planned investment – both by Council and the private sector.”

A new skate park, community hall and library are among the Council projects in the pipeline for Windale, while the recent expansion of Lake Macquarie Square and Spotlight Group’s $100 million retail and commercial centre adjoining the suburb demonstrate a growing appreciation of its potential.

“Data indicates Windale will need more one and two-bedroom homes, more independent living homes for people with disability and more housing for families with children,” Mr Hain said.

“Gradual expansion of the Windale shops will support this increased population.”

The draft proposal is on exhibition until 11 November at shape.lakemac.com.au. Council will host a pop-up information session at Windale Community Hall on Thursday 24 October from 2-4pm.

Council staff are continuing to work on the draft Windale Area Plan and will be making some changes to the Lake Macquarie Local Environmental Plan 2014 (LMLEP 2014) at the same time. These changes will better deliver on the aims of the Area Plan to support the street character of Windale and to provide more townhouses, villas and small apartment blocks in locations where it is easy to walk to everyday destinations like shops, schools, playgrounds and open spaces.

The project team is aiming to report the draft Area Plan and draft LEP to Council by the end of 2017. Both documents will then be placed on public exhibition and everyone will have an opportunity to provide feedback before they are finalised.

The new deadline for reporting the draft Area Plan to Council takes into the account the additional time needed to prepare the LEP Amendments. Because the draft LEP amendments are informed by the draft Area Plan, it makes sense to report and exhibit the documents together.

We are now using feedback from the community to prepare a draft Windale Area Plan. The Plan will show opportunities for better community facilities, open space improvements, creek rehabilitation, and a proposed cycling and walking path linking to the Mount Hutton shops.

Council is looking at how easy it is to walk from home to the shops, schools, playgrounds, open spaces or clubs from anywhere in Windale. Areas with a high ‘walking score’ are good locations for new town houses, villas and small apartment blocks.

The plan will provide guidance to landowners on how to deliver more affordable housing suited to smaller households and people who need a single level dwelling for easy access.

The draft plan encourages front setbacks for gardens, design for good visibility and safety, and integration of garages and carports in the dwelling design, to support the street character in Windale.

The project team aims to complete the draft Area Plan and report to Council in October/ November. It would then be placed on public exhibition and everyone will have an opportunity to comment.

Lake Macquarie City Council, with the help of the community, has identified opportunities for change in Windale and will now prepare a Development Control Plan for the area.

Council’s Manager Integrated Planning, Sharon Pope, said throughout November, residents, workers and business owners were encouraged to identify opportunities for new housing, jobs and improved open space in Windale.

“The community used Council’s online interactive map and ideas wall to tell us what they like and don’t like about Windale and suggested ideas on how to improve the area,” Ms Pope said.

Participants and support workers from local community organisation Centre for Hope refurbished a five-speed Kawasaki mountain bike to giveaway as part of Council’s consultation.

Angela Gavin participated in the community consultation and was presented with the bike for her winning idea, which identified Windale as an area of opportunity, particularly for affordable housing for people entering the housing market. Matthew McMullen and Jurgen Bonnet were also recognised for their enthusiastic and helpful suggestions.

“It was great that we were able to partner with Centre for Hope throughout the initial stage of this project,” Ms Pope said.

“The community has put a great deal of thought into what changes they would like to see in Windale.”

Ideas include planting shrubs, trees and low maintenance gardens in public spaces, rezoning the area to allow for small lot housing, beautification works and signage along the Pacific Highway and South Street and refurbishing the tennis courts.

Council would like to thank the Centre for Hope, participants and support workers from Wheels for Hope, Gateshead Cycles and Newcastle Cycleways for providing support during the community consultation.

A draft Development Control Plan for Windale will now be prepared by Council, and put forward for public comment in early 2016.

Comments on the development of Windale are still welcome through Council’s interactive map.

Visit http://haveyoursaylakemac.com.au/planning-for-windale for more information.

Help Lake Macquarie City Council identify opportunities for new housing, jobs and improved open space in Windale, and go into the draw for your chance to win a custom refurbished bike* from local community program, Wheels for Hope.

Council is encouraging residents, workers and business owners to tell us what they like and don’t like about WIndale and suggest ideas on how to improve the area, using our online interactive map and ideas wall.

Council’s Manager Integrated Planning, Sharon Pope, said community feedback will lead to new guidelines for future development on private land and land owned by the Land and Housing Corporation.

“Windale is close to Redhead Beach, the Lake and employment areas. It also has some good open space, but it could be improved,” Ms Pope said.

Opportunities for change include better use of community facilities and open space reserves, identifying areas for business, employment and training, an improved creek line and bushland areas, better transport options, including paths for cycling or walking, and identifying the best type and mix of new housing.

Council will be liaising with the Land and Housing Corporation, as the major owner of land and housing in Windale.

Have your say by Friday 27 November and you can win a five-speed Kawasaki mountain bike*, which is currently being refurbished by participants from Wheels for Hope.

“Wheels for Hope, which is run by the Centre of Hope, provides disadvantaged and disabled youth with the support and tools needed to restore bikes,” Ms Pope said.

“A team of young people from Windale are spending the next couple of weeks transforming the bike so that it is ready to giveaway to the lucky winner, in the first week of December.”

Windale residents, workers and business owners can find out more, leave a comment and go into the draw to win the bike, by visiting www.haveyoursaylakemac.com.au/planning-for-windale.

Council officers will be available to speak to the community and demonstrate how to use the online interactive map and ideas wall, during a drop in session, outside of Windale Library on Saturday 31 October.

Have your say on the future of Windale drop in session

When: 9am-noon, Saturday 31 October

Where: Outside of Windale Library, 20 Lake Street Windale

*Visit www.lakemac.com.au for competition terms and conditions.