A new plan for Lake Macquarie outlines the next 12 months of major investment, growth planning and community-focused projects.
The Operational Plan and Budget 2026-2027, which Council adopted at tonight's Council meeting, on Monday 15 May, will deliver essential services and infrastructure as part of a broader four-year delivery program.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said boosting local jobs and progressing development of employment lands in the city's south-west and north-west were among the plan's key drivers.
"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 infrastructure and community upgrades feature heavily, including improvements to roads in Dudley, Mandalong, Belmont North and Morisset, playground renewals across several suburbs, and the expansion of Awaba Waste Management Facility to extend its life by 11 years.
Council received a record 226 submissions during the plan's public exhibition, prompting amendments that included accelerated funding for the Toronto Sportsgrounds Master Plan, and the introduction of a family membership option at Council's aquatic centres.
Under the plan, tourism and connectivity will receive a boost through holiday park upgrades and delivery of a long-term dredging solution for Swansea Channel.
Work will also begin on energy-saving upgrades at Charlestown Swim Centre.
Major spending categories include:
- $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
- $10 million for maintenance and construction of bridges and embankments.
The draft document's schedule of fees and charges in 2026-2027 includes a modest additional increase to waste service fees, to help offset significant increases in fuel costs.
Under the updated schedule, households will pay an extra $12.50 above the $20 annual increase exhibited earlier this year.
Manager Waste Services Derek Poulton said the increase was unfortunate but necessary to offset the 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 the deferral on any increases to fees under 'Park & Reserves Hire: Community' and 'Park & Reserves Hire: Commercial', as well as Community Hall hire charges, pending a Councillor Workshop and staff review.
The Draft Operational Plan and Budget 2026-2027, including the Revised Delivery Program 2025-2029, is available at lakemac.com.au.
During Monday night's meeting, Councillors also approved the draft Wyee Structure Plan, which outlines a vision and key planning priorities to guide growth in housing, jobs, transport and infrastructure investment in the Wyee over the next 20 years, for public exhibition.
The full agenda and reports are available at meeting agendas and minutes.
The stream of tonight's meeting will be available online at lakemac.com.au within 48 hours.
