Community News
- intouch Magazine
- 7 hours ago
- 6 min read
Discover what's happening in your local community this April...
HAVE YOUR SAY ON LAKE MACQUARIE'S $393 MILLION PLAN
Lake Macquarie residents are being invited to share their thoughts on the draft Operational Plan and Budget 2026–2027, which was approved for public exhibition at a recent Council meeting.
The draft outlines a $393.2 million budget for the coming financial year, with more than $111 million earmarked for capital works across the city.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the plan positions the city well for continued growth while protecting what locals love about the region.
"As the third fastest growing regional area in Australia, we are well placed for a strong future, and this plan sets out the actions that will help us get there," said Mayor Shultz.
Among the headline capital works projects are the dredging of Swansea Channel, swim centre upgrades at West Wallsend and Charlestown, and road rehabilitation work at Dudley, Mandalong, Belmont North and Morisset. Road sealing, resurfacing and rehabilitation takes the largest share of capital funding at $29.1 million, followed by business support at $13.5 million and community and sporting upgrades at $10 million. Investment is also proposed for beaches, aquatic facilities, parks, bridges and more.
The plan includes 127 actions aligned to the city's long-term economic, environmental, social and governance goals as set out in the Community Strategic Plan. Environmental priorities feature prominently, with the Awaba Waste Management Facility set to be expanded to extend its operating life by 11 years, alongside support for businesses working to reduce waste and embrace a circular economy.
"We value community feedback and ask residents to take a look at the draft plan and let us know whether we've captured the right mix of services, upgrades and long-term priorities," said Mayor Shultz.
Visit shape.lakemac.com.au/opplan26-27before 20 April to have your say.
BIG IDEAS, BOLD FUTURE: TEDXNEWY LAUNCHES ITS MOST AMBITIOUS YEAR YET
Newcastle's own ideas event is stepping up in 2026, with TEDxNewy (formerly TEDxCooks Hill) launching its first full year under the new name, featuring an expansive program of events designed to put local voices front and centre.
The calendar kicks off on 30 April with TEDxNewy Salon: 2050, held at Q Building in Honeysuckle from 6pm. The question driving the evening is a compelling one: what does Newcastle look like in 2050? But don't expect a traditional lecture format - the Salon is built around facilitated conversation and interactive discussion, giving a platform to the kind of local knowledge and perspective that rarely gets a public airing.
Licensee Jake Hoppe said the rebrand and the expanded program reflect the same underlying ambition.
"2050 is close enough to feel real and far enough to think boldly. There are plenty of people and organisations working on Newcastle's future in an official capacity. We just wanted to create a room where anyone with an idea could share it," he said.
The Salon: 2050 is the first of several events planned throughout the year, with further Salons built around distinct themes. The Adventures series will take TEDxNewy experiences into unexpected corners of Newcastle and the Hunter, before the full program culminates in October with the main TEDxNewy event at the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Newcastle - the host venue for the second consecutive year.
University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Equity and Engagement, Nathan Towney, said the university is thrilled to partner again with TEDxNewy to realise the potential of the TEDx platform for the region.
Early release tickets for the Salon: 2050 are available to newsletter subscribers at tedxnewy.salon.
YOUR SAY MATTERS: MAITLAND COUNCIL WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU
Maitland City Council is calling on residents to share their thoughts on local services, facilities and community life through its biennial Community Satisfaction Survey, open now until 19 April.
The survey covers a broad range of topics — from libraries, pools and parks to waste services, sustainability, communication preferences and everyday neighbourhood amenities. Council is keen to hear honest feedback on what's working well and where improvements can be made.
General Manager Jeff Smith encouraged all residents to take part.
"We are calling on Maitland residents to jump online for 10 to 15 minutes and provide their honest feedback - we're here to listen. We'd love the community to play their part to inform Council's planning, service improvements and future priorities," Mr Smith said.
The results will directly shape the community outcome indicators within the Council's Community Strategic Plan, as well as service performance measures in future Delivery Programs - making this one of the more meaningful ways residents can influence how their city is run.
"Our commitment to meaningful consultation and engagement with our community is one of many ways we are continuing to build a connected city with thriving communities," Mr Smith said.
In addition to the online survey, 500 randomly selected residents from across a broad range of demographics will receive a phone call from research firm Micromex Research between 1 and 15 April, offering the option to provide verbal feedback. Whether online or over the phone, Council is making it as easy as possible for residents to have their say — and this is a genuine opportunity to help shape Maitland's future priorities.
Visit mait.city/CommunitySatisfactionSurvey before 19 April to take part.
Holding the Line: Newcastle's $5 Million Defence of Stockton Beach
Stockton's coastline is set to get a significant boost, with City of Newcastle committing $5 million to reinforce one of the area's most important coastal protection structures — and work is due to begin next month.
The upgrade targets the 600-metre seawall adjacent to Mitchell Street, which has become progressively more exposed due to ongoing coastal erosion. The project will add 8,500 tonnes of rock to the structure, increasing its height to reduce wave overtopping during large swells and better protect the road, underground utilities, and residential properties that sit alongside it.
City of Newcastle's Executive Manager Environment and Sustainability, Marnie Kikken, said the renewal of the seawall is essential for the long-term resilience of this stretch of coastline.
"The renewal of the Mitchell Street seawall is essential for maintaining a stable and resilient barrier in this area of Stockton," Ms Kikken said.
"The project will increase the height of the seawall to reduce waves going over the top in large swells and provide ongoing protection of the road, utilities, and adjacent residential properties. The work will also extend the design-life of the seawall to 50 years, contributing to the long-term safety and security of the community against coastal hazards."
The scope of work is substantial. Extensive remediation will be carried out, including the removal of undersized or damaged rocks and the repair of existing gabion baskets and concrete stormwater outlets. Two long-reach excavators — purpose-built for heavy-duty marine, dredging and civil applications — will operate from the top of the seawall to place the new rocks into position. Some of those rocks will weigh up to 5.3 tonnes each. Work is expected to be completed by early 2027.
The project is one of the first to get underway following the certification of the Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP). This framework sets out both short and long-term strategies for managing one of NSW's most erosion-affected beaches.
Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe, who sits on the NSW Government's Stockton Special Advisory Panel, welcomed the project as a meaningful step forward.
"City of Newcastle is committed to working with the NSW Government to manage and preserve Stockton's coastline now and into the future," Cr McCabe said.
"We're encouraged by the recent meeting of the Stockton Special Advisory Panel and efforts to push ahead with plans for mass sand nourishment as part of the NSW Government's $21.5 million election commitment."
Mass sand nourishment — the large-scale replenishment of sand along the beach — is identified in the Extended CMP as the most feasible, viable and acceptable long-term solution for Stockton, supported by regular sand top-ups over time. The seawall upgrade serves as a critical short-term measure to protect public assets while longer-term work is planned and delivered.
For more information on the Mitchell Street seawall upgrade and the Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program, visit the project page on the City of Newcastle website: newcastle.nsw.gov.au.
