Lake Macquarie Council adopts $111 million capital works plan

newy.com.au – Lake Macquarie Council has adopted its 2026-2027 Operational Plan and Budget, setting out more than $111 million in capital works and a year of investment in roads, community facilities, tourism infrastructure and growth planning.

The plan, adopted at Monday night’s Council meeting, forms part of the city’s broader four-year delivery program and includes almost 130 actions, including 14 capital works programs.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the plan would help support local jobs and progress employment lands in the city’s south-west and north-west as the city continued to grow.

“This year’s plan includes more than $111 million in capital works and $37.7 million on maintaining our existing assets,” he said.

“We will deliver on almost 130 actions, including 14 capital works programs. It’s about making sure Lake Macquarie continues to thrive as one of Australia’s fastest-growing regional cities, while holding on to what makes it special.”

Key works include road improvements in Dudley, Mandalong, Belmont North and Morisset, playground renewals across several suburbs and the expansion of the Awaba Waste Management Facility, which is expected to extend its life by 11 years.

The budget also allocates $29.1 million for road resealing, resurfacing and rehabilitation, $11.1 million for beach, lake and aquatic facilities, $10.6 million for community and sporting facilities and $10 million for bridge and embankment maintenance and construction.

Tourism and transport connectivity are also included in the plan, with holiday park upgrades and a long-term dredging solution for Swansea Channel to be delivered. Work will begin on energy-saving upgrades at Charlestown Swim Centre.

Council received a record 226 submissions during public exhibition of the plan. Changes made after the exhibition period include accelerated funding for the Toronto Sportsgrounds Master Plan and the introduction of a family membership option at Council aquatic centres.

Households will pay an extra $12.50 in waste service fees above the $20 annual increase exhibited earlier this year, with Council saying the rise is needed to help offset significant fuel cost increases.

Manager Waste Services Derek Poulton said the increase was unfortunate but necessary because of an anticipated $1.7 million in extra fuel costs over the next financial year, due to the Iran conflict.

“These increases were settled on after careful consideration of service costs, impacts to residents and businesses and the necessity to buffer against ballooning fuel costs,” he said.

The plan was adopted with any increases to fees under Park & Reserves Hire: Community, Park & Reserves Hire: Commercial and Community Hall hire charges deferred pending a councillor workshop and staff review.

Councillors also approved the draft Wyee Structure Plan for public exhibition. The document sets out a vision and planning priorities to guide housing, jobs, transport and infrastructure investment in Wyee over the next 20 years.