Draft 2024-2025 Operational Plan to go on public exhibition

Council approved the draft Operational Plan 2024-2025 to go on public exhibition at its Ordinary Meeting on Monday 25 March.

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Mayor Kay Fraser said it came as a major milestone for Council’s contract with the community.

“Council has worked extremely hard to deliver a plan which outlines 128 actions and a $380 million budget, including more than $100 million in capital works,” she said.

“Building on a thriving community is the centrepiece of this plan, which aims to enhance the city’s infrastructure, environment, wellbeing, economy, creativity, and accessibility.”

Big winners from the capital works program include community and sporting facilities, with $34.7 million allocated, and road resealing, resurfacing and rehabilitation with a $21.9 million spend.

Nineteen actions aim to help our environment, including building a new Community Recycling Centre at Belmont North.

Meanwhile 24 actions support community lifestyle and wellbeing, which include expanding the West Wallsend Swim Centre and Hunter Sports Centre.

The Draft 2024-2025 Operational Plan will be exhibited on Tuesday 26 March, with submissions from the community open until Monday 22 April 2024.

In addition, Council supported a Mayoral Minute to recognise Dr David Durheim AM as a Freeman of the City.

Dr Durrheim AM was appointed to the role of Director of Health Protection with Hunter New England Health in 2004 and took on an immense workload as the Public Health Controller for the district’s COVID-19 response.

Dr Durrheim was also named Lake Mac Ambassador in 2022 for his work in the space.

And Awaba House is one-step closer to construction with Council approving an additional $2.6 million in reallocated funds to cover an increase in costs at tonight’s Council meeting.

Council also endorsed a planning proposal to better facilitate in-fill housing and greater housing diversity in residential zones across the city.

Increasing maximum building heights in medium density residential and business zones, permitting dual occupancies on medium density development sites, rezoning select zones and reducing minimum lot sizes are among the proposed changes.

Councillors approved a notice of motion to investigate working with the NSW Government to create more infill housing near Lake Macquarie’s nine train stations.

The vision would be to take advantage of existing infrastructure, like public transport, to give greater access to jobs, shops, and other services to allow the city to grow more sustainably.