Community asked to help map future of Speers Point Park

newy.com.au – Community consultation will begin on Friday 14 November 2025 on new long-term planning documents for Speers Point Park in Lake Macquarie, one of the Hunter Region’s most popular community spaces.

The new Plan of Management and Master Plan will guide how the 43ha foreshore park is used, cared for and developed over the next decade and beyond. Lake Macquarie City Council says the update will respond to changing community needs and a significant increase in use, and will also meet legislative requirements under the Crown Land Management Act.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the park had long been a focal point for events and recreation.

“Growing up in Lake Macquarie, Speers Point Park holds a place close to my heart, and I know it’s the same for so many people who live here,” he said.

“These new plans will help preserve this precious space and ensure it continues to serve the community, providing spaces where people can socialise, attend events, play sport and enjoy the outdoors.”

The existing Plan of Management dates back to 2008. Since then, the park has been transformed with projects including the Lake Macquarie Variety Playground, Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, the Multi-Arts Pavillion, mima, a replacement jetty and an off-leash dog park.

Cr Shultz said those changes had helped drive a surge in use.

“We’re seeing a lot more sports-related use with the regional football facility,” he said.

“But it has also become much more popular with families thanks to the incredible playground, which set the benchmark for all-ages play spaces when it opened in 2008.”

Council Manager Assets Dayne Harris said the new documents would ensure the park continued to evolve with the city.

“It’s not just Speers Point Park that has transformed since 2008,” he said.

“It’s our community. New plans will ensure this continues to be a destination that reflects the community’s needs and values for years to come.”

Mr Harris said the two documents would have distinct but complementary roles.

“A Plan of Management guides the use and management of the land,” he said.

“The Master Plan will outline the site layout and provide a visual representation of how it could be used into the future.”

Speers Point Park has been a gathering place long before European settlement, with the area at the mouth of Cockle Creek a favoured meeting point for local Aboriginal tribes. It was gazetted in 1888 as “Lake Macquarie Park” but has been referred to as Speers Point Park for more than 135 years.

Today the park stretches from Walters Park in the north, west to Macquarie Field, taking in Speers Point Swim Centre and running east along the foreshore to Main Road. It now hosts regular markets and major events, including the Living Smart Festival and the upcoming Red Hot Summer Tour concert featuring Paul Kelly and Missy Higgins.

Cr Shultz urged people from across the region to have their say during the consultation period, which runs until 14 December.

“We want to hear from you, whether you live nearby, visit from further afield or simply care about the future of Speers Point Park,” he said.

Council’s project team will host drop-in information sessions at Speers Point Park on 14 November from 5-7pm, 25 November from 10am-1pm, 1 December from 8-11am and 4-7pm, and 7 December from 9am-2pm.

Community members can also provide feedback online via shape.lakemac.com.au during the exhibition period.