Draft Operational Plan set to boost City’s post-COVID recovery
- intouch Magazine
- Apr 28, 2020
- 2 min read
Almost $400 million will be spent in the next financial year under Lake Macquarie City Council’s draft Operational Plan, helping drive the City’s recovery beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council voted last night to approve public exhibition of the draft plan, which outlines 320 actions and $105 million in capital works spanning the entire City.
The capital works include $63 million spent replacing or upgrading existing assets, and $42 million on adding new assets.
Lake Macquarie Deputy Mayor Cr Nick Jones said that once adopted, actions in the plan would inject money into the local economy and generate employment for people in Lake Macquarie.
“Council purchases a huge amount of goods and services from local suppliers, including construction materials, plant and heavy equipment, labour hire, traffic control and professional services,” Mr Jones said.
The plan outlines a range of investment in roads, shared pathways, community buildings, swim centres, sports facilities, parks, playgrounds and other public infrastructure throughout the City.
Highlights include:
$2.4 million to revitalise Pearson Street Mall in Charlestown
Ongoing design and stage one construction of the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track linking the Fernleigh Track with Blacksmiths
Renewing Council’s Multicultural Plan to ensure the City remains a leader in creating welcoming and inclusive communities
Working with Lake Macquarie Landcare to plant 30,000 native plants at Blacksmiths, Caves Beach, Catherine Hill Bay and Swansea Heads
Total spending for the 2020-21 financial year will be $387.1 million, 40 per cent of which will be spent improving the lifestyle and wellbeing of the City.
Of that total, 17 per cent – almost $65 million – will be invested in roads, drains, footpaths, shared pathways and associated infrastructure providing mobility and accessibility across Lake Mac.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said Council was moving quickly to do what it could to support the community in this challenging time.
“There’s no doubt that businesses and the community in Lake Mac are doing it tough right now,” Cr Fraser said.
“And that has a flow-on impact on everyone in our community. Investment and action outlined in this Operational Plan will provide a significant boost to the local economy, not to mention our lifestyle and the day-to-day services and facilities we all value.”
The draft plan’s exhibition follows an initial suite of support initiatives approved by Council earlier this month.
Learn more about what’s planned and share your feedback before Monday 30 May by visiting www.shape.lakemac.com.au/lets-bring-it-to-life.
