Lake Macquarie councillors recommend $5089 in grants and back new North Creek flood plan

newy.com.au – Lake Macquarie City Council has recommended $5089 in community donations and endorsed a new flood risk management study and plan for the North Creek catchment at its first meeting of the year on Monday 9 February 2026 at the Hunter Sports Centre, kaiyu nungkiliko.

The decisions were put forward under round three of Council’s Donations Program 2025-2026 and through the adoption of updated flood data intended to guide future planning and investment across parts of Lakelands, Warners Bay and Speers Point.

Mayor Adam Shultz said the recommended grants would go to not-for-profit organisations with strong local membership or participation. “Council is proud to support local grassroots organisations making a difference in our community,” he said.

Shultz said the latest round would fund a variety of projects. “This round of donations represents a great mix of causes, with environment, sport and youth programs all receiving funding for worthwhile projects,” he said.

Councillors recommended $1089 for The Scout Association of Australia NSW Branch, Cardiff Scout Group to purchase and install six fire extinguishers and associated signage.

They also recommended $2000 for ReGen Alliance Environmental Partnerships Inc to help deliver the Youth in Landcare Environmental Connection Program, and a further $2000 for the Shirley May Swan Mulla Memorial Women’s Rugby League to participate in the Abcare Greater Western Challenge Knockout Carnival.

In the same meeting, councillors recommended adopting the new North Creek Flood Risk Management Study and Plan, which was publicly exhibited last year and is intended to provide up-to-date flood information for decision-making in the catchment.

Council said the final study and plan took account of advances in technology, newly available data and changes within the catchment since earlier flood studies were completed.

The study investigates ways to manage existing, future and residual flood risk, and assesses options to reduce flood risk along with economic, environmental and social impacts, while the plan identifies and prioritises options to guide future flood risk management.

Council said the full agenda and reports were available online, with the stream of the meeting to be published at lakemac.com.au within 48 hours.