Improving recreational and cultural facilities is an important aspect of council’s agenda to enhance Lake Macquarie’s reputation as a liveable city and encourage residents to lead healthy lifestyles.
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I am very excited by the news that the long-awaited Rathmines Community Hall redevelopment is a step closer, with a development application to undertake works to the heritage-listed building lodged in the last few days.
The refurbishment would transform the community hall into a state of the art community, cultural and performing arts centre for the Westlakes area. The redevelopment of the venue includes installation of modern audio-visual equipment and lighting, upgraded dressing rooms, a ‘green room’ for performers, new meeting rooms, improved ventilation, new bathrooms and amenities, installation of disabled parking and accessible ramp, and new landscaping.
As we see more than $100 million worth of capital works projects under way across the city, I reflect on how Lake Macquarie is very much a lifestyle city, and having good recreational infrastructure is important for the health and wellbeing of our community.
One of the projects I am looking forward to seeing come to fruition is the new Belmont Baths.
There is so much enthusiasm among the community for this project and the baths will become a real drawcard for Belmont and Lake Macquarie.
Improvements to public swimming facilities are also under way elsewhere, with a major upgrade to Toronto Swim Centre set to be delivered by mid next year.
This week also saw the celebration and completion of the installation of a sustainable solar-powered heating system at Speers Point Swim Centre that will allow patrons to enjoy longer operating hours and warmer water during shoulder periods.
Alongside these projects, we also continue to invest in safer roads, better footpaths and cycleways, and new transport infrastructure.
We have also set out the projects we will fund to improve drainage systems, deliver better waste management and improve our local environment.
A task that was made easier this week, with council receiving $450,000 in funding from the NSW Government to implement a new project to improve waste quality and estuary health at multiple sites across the city, including Crokers Creek at Belmont.
- Photo: Cr Fraser at Belmont Baths.
