The occasion was the launch of council’s ‘pop-up chill out zones’.

These are being placed in popular locations around the lake over the school holidays to encourage activity and enjoyment of our great outdoor environment.

By putting bright outdoor furniture, umbrellas, ping pong tables and tether tennis poles on the foreshore, we want to encourage residents to take a second look at our waterside public spaces and reimagine how they use those places.

It is human nature to become complacent about the good things around us, so it is beneficial to be reminded every now and again of what a diverse and wonderful environment we are fortunate to live in.

Holidays are the perfect time to reacquaint yourself with Lake Macquarie’s natural assets – or perhaps discover new places you have never visited.

Council’s summer holiday program, Explore Our Great Outdoors, offers a range of guided nature-based adventures in and around the exquisite beaches and waterways of Lake Macquarie.

There are 20 different activities on offer between January 9 and January 21, including a junior fishing clinic, kayaking sessions, nature-based art workshops, sand modelling, a shark facts talk, cycling tours and more.

You can find more information about Explore Our Great Outdoors activities at eventbrite.com.au/o/explore-our-

great-outdoors-12280988333.

Residents have an opportunity to share their ideas on how we can make our spaces and places in Lake Macquarie come alive by participating in the planning of our city’s new Arts, Heritage and Cultural Plan 2017-2027.

We want to know what art, heritage and culture means to you, how you experience culture in your daily life and how you think the arts and culture can help create an inclusive, vibrant city.

To share your views, go to: haveyoursaylakemac.com.au/cultural-plan

Council’s pop-up chill out zone will be at Toronto foreshore for a week from January 9, at Warners Bay from January 16, and Belmont from February 23.

Thanks to the people at Belmont Neighbourhood Community Centre and Men’s Shed for their help in erecting the zones for us each day.

- Cr Kay Fraser, Lake Macquarie mayor