A MOTORCYCLE rider was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a crash on the M1 Pacific Motorway at Morisset on Sunday. Just before 3.30pm two motorcyclists were travelling south about 3km south of the Mandalong Road off ramp when one male rider fell from his motorcycle after riding over road debris.

LAKE Macquarie City Council's design partner in the proposed Morisset Library and Community Centre, GroupGSA, has been awarded the Excellence in Concept Design Award Commendation for the project at the Urban Development Institute of Australia NSW Meriton Awards for Excellence presentation in Sydney. Judges said the multipurpose building design "incorporates hints of past main street buildings, while maximising views of Watagan Mountains and enhancing the pedestrian experience diagonally through the site".

DOCUMENTS released under NSW Freedom Of Information laws show how closely the NSW Department of Planning works with the coal industry, even on policies aimed at the community, the Newcastle Herald reported this week. Department documents obtained by Lock the Gate show that while the state government's proposed Integrated Mining Policy was placed on public display for "community and industry consultation" in May, the coal industry has had input into the policy for 10 months.

POLICE issued a warning last week after a seven-metre great white shark was reportedly netted and freed at Canton Beach on Tuggerah Lake. A senior commercial fisherman reported to police that he netted the monster which "started thrashing about" and was longer than his 5.4m (18ft) boat.

TAKE a tour of the award-winning fire retardant native garden at Toronto Fire Station this Saturday from 2pm to 4pm, as part of a showcase of local sustainable neighbourhood group projects. Book on 4921 0117.

A VACANT piece of land on the corner of Kanangra Drive and Summerland Road in Gwandalan may be rezoned to allow a new local shopping centre and a small area of additional housing that could inject $8.5 million into the local economy and create 100 jobs. Wyong Council has given preliminary support to progressing the rezoning subject to the necessary environmental and economic investigation and community consultation.

AUGUST 23 to 30 is National Op Shop Week. Help your community and keep your household items out of landfill by donating unwanted clothes or goods, shopping at an op shop, or volunteering. Visit dosomethingnearyou.com.au/national-op-shop-week

HELP Dora Creek to develop a practical and safe plan to deal with severe weather events or natural disasters at the Dora Creek Community Safety Plan Workshop at Dora Creek Community Hall next Thursday, August 27, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Book with council on 4921 0333 or council@lakemac.nsw.gov.au.

LAKE Macquarie mayor Jodie Harrison has warned any move by the state government to sack all Hunter councils and force their hands on amalgamations would be rejected by residents, and any forced merger between Lake Macquarie and Newcastle councils would not generate the benefits many think it would. "Look at the Newcastle CBD and compare it to Morisset. Where do you think the resources of a single council would go?" Cr Harrison said.

BATTLE lines are being drawn after a decision by Wyong Shire Council to work with Central Coast Tourism to explore opportunities to promote Birdie Beach as a tourism destination for naturalists. The northern section of the beach is the only designated nude bathing zone in the area, and some locals say promoting the beach in those terms was asking for trouble.

A MOTION proposing that Wyong Shire Council support marriage equality was withdrawn and ruled out of order last week. Mayor Doug Eaton said the matter was not considered within council's jurisdiction.

LAKE Macquarie and Central Coast commuters have one week left to have their say to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) about how transport fares should be set following the roll-out of the Opal electronic card. The survey will close on Friday, August 28. Visit ipart.nsw.gov.au.

WYONG Shire's Multicultural Advisory Committee - a discussion and advisory forum for people from a multicultural and/or culturally and linguistically diverse background - invites locals to join them to meet mayor Doug Eaton at council this week and learn more about the diverse and vibrant shire community. The meeting will be at Wyong Shire Civic Centre tomorrow (Friday, August 21) at 6pm.

TORONTO Diggers is hosting a 12-week fitness campaign which kicks off on Saturday, August 29. The program includes boot camps, menu and exercise plans, motivational talks and a big wrap and reveal party, all hosted by celebrity personal trainer Cameron Byrnes. Phone 4959 2411.