The month-long consultation period will seek the community’s views on what should happen – and what shouldn’t – on the lakeside strip from Wharf Road to Bath Street.

Council’s community planning manager Wes Hain said input from the community would play a key role in shaping the management plan for the foreshore.

“This is about generating ideas and asking questions like ‘How do you currently use the foreshore?’ and ‘How would you like to use this space in the future?’,” Mr Hain said.

Council has about $9 million in developer contributions to contribute to the project.

The possibilities are many.

They include extending the existing pathway around to Bath Street, near Royal Motor Yacht Club, Toronto; the creation of picnic spaces and park benches; gardens and passive areas; a playground; or even a fitness trail, such as those installed at Warners Bay and Speers Point.

Some correspondents to the Lakes Mail, however, have been arguing the case for the foreshore to be left untouched by council.

Some locals are known to be particularly opposed to the council’s plan to develop a multi-storey tourist and residential development on the lake’s edge in Bath Street.

So, is doing nothing an option that council would entertain?

“Council is collecting developer contributions to do work on the Toronto foreshore, but if the overwhelming feedback is that the community would like nothing, then that’s something that the council would have to carefully consider,” Mr Hain said.

The ‘do nothing’ option would seem to the council to be an unexpected request from a community that has also criticised council for “spending too much” of ratepayers’ money on Warners Bay and Speers Point and “ignoring” communities on the western side of the lake.

Mayor's Message: Potential gains from proposed development

The council’s plan is to transform the foreshore into “an attractive new community, tourist and lifestyle destination”.

Locals are invited to have a say on council’s website, and at drop-in sessions in Toronto.

Locals will be able to talk to council staff about the future of the Toronto foreshore at drop-in sessions at.-

Locals are also encouraged to learn more about the master plan process, and to have a say online, at shape.lakemac.com.au/future-toronto.

“This is about providing a place for people to gather and enjoy themselves close to the Toronto town centre,” Mr Hain said.

“We want to really take advantage of the beautiful lake and views that we have here, and provide friendly, inviting, safe spaces that are accessible to people of all abilities and backgrounds.

“We want to enhance the attraction of Toronto as a place to work, live and play.”

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Council’s property manager, Kate Cramp, said council’s development objective was to make the most of the Bath Street site for ratepayers.

“We’d like to see that site used for its intended purpose. The current uses as an informal car park is not the best and most appropriate use of a piece of prime foreshore land,” Ms Cramp said.

A tourist and residential development next to the Royal Motor Yacht Club had the potential to create ‘a destination’ from one end of the foreshore to the other, she said.

Ms Cramp and Mr Hain urged locals to have input to the master plan.

“Get involved,” Mr Hain said. “We are genuinely keen to hear from people who have a passionate interest in the future of Toronto.”

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