Lake Macquarie adopts 20-year growth plan and new youth strategy as flood policy put on hold

newy.com.au – Lake Macquarie City Council has adopted a new 20-year Local Strategic Planning Statement and a four-year Youth Strategy, while deferring its Flood and Tidal Inundation Policy, at its meeting on 17 November 2025.

Council says the decisions will guide how the city manages growth and supports young people as its population is forecast to increase by more than 38,000 residents by 2046. The Local Strategic Planning Statement 2025-2045 sets the long-term vision for land use across the city, while the Youth Strategy 2025-2029 targets the needs of about 34,000 residents aged 12–24.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said careful planning was essential as the community grows.

“As the population grows, it’s important to plan for infrastructure to support the changing housing, education, health and transport needs for the community,” Cr Shultz said.

Council says most of the projected growth is being driven by migration from Newcastle and Sydney, with greater Morisset forecast to experience the largest increase in population over the coming decades.

According to Council, the planning statement outlines eight key priorities across social, economic and environmental areas, including support for new industries and jobs, more diverse housing options, biodiversity protection, planning for climate risks, enhancing open spaces, advocacy for improved public transport and helping people walk and cycle safely throughout the city.

Council has highlighted north-west Lake Macquarie and greater Morisset in the south-west as the city’s two regionally significant growth areas.

A “key planning action for the North West Growth Area is to transition former mining land between Cockle Creek and the M1 into areas that support future employment, tourism, recreation and some new housing opportunities,” Cr Shultz said.

He said Morisset was planned to “emerge as a regionally significant centre supporting diverse businesses and services with commercial, mixed use and residential development”.

The Local Strategic Planning Statement was adopted following a period of public exhibition which drew 45 submissions.

In a separate decision, councillors also adopted the Youth Strategy 2025-2029 after public exhibition.

Council says the policy aims to ensure the city’s young people are recognised and supported, particularly as they move from education into sustainable employment.

“The strategy is so important as it outlines initiatives to support young people in their transition from education to sustainable employment,” Cr Shultz said.

Actions in the strategy include connecting young people with services to help with the cost of living, promoting Council’s Early Careers program and working with Local Aboriginal Land Councils to increase young people’s understanding of Awabakal and Worimi land, among other initiatives.

Councillors also voted to defer adopting the Flood and Tidal Inundation Policy to allow Council to undertake a full review.

The planning statement and Youth Strategy will now guide Council’s land-use decisions and youth-focused programs over the coming years, while Council carries out the comprehensive review of its Flood and Tidal Inundation Policy.