Limitations On The Lake Preserve Lifestyle
Newcastle Herald
Monday October 1, 2007
But marina proposals are now with the State Government, writes Greg Piper.
THE boating lifestyle is an essential part of living in Lake Macquarie for many residents and there has been publicity lately on plans to develop a new marina at Morisset Park and upgrade Marmong Point Marina. As part of the Trinity Point development, formerly known as Kendall Grange, the developers are proposing a $200 million marina that includes 150 wet berths and 90 dry berths plus a conference centre, restaurants and apartments. Another well-known marina that has been operating for many years is Marmong Point Marina, which is proposing a significant upgrade of its facility to have 240 wet berths and 110 dry berths. In time other marinas will prepare similar proposals. The south-western Lake Macquarie area where the Trinity Point marina is located has historically had a lower population and is removed from the more populated northern areas of the lake. This has helped southern Lake Macquarie maintain a perception of being "away from it all" a sense of isolation that I believe is valued by all users of the lake. I am very concerned about protecting that quality.When it became inevitable that the former St John of God Boys Home site would be developed, the council sought to have some tourism-zoned land maintained. While tourism is a broad term, I believe that councillors and planners had a development in mind that would be modern and upmarket but would not be visually intrusive on the locality or overly change the nature of that area. The council envisaged accommodation of two or three storeys, built with materials sensitive to the bush background, a restaurant, function centre, and jetty. However, this is not what was envisaged by the developers, Johnson Property Group. Its proposed development includes accommodation with buildings up to eight storeys and a marina of more than 200 berths. Such a development would be visually significant in any location, but in this area would change the very nature of being on the lake forever. The sense of isolation treasured by locals and sought by visitors would be gone forever. I believe that limitations should include, at the very least, no building breaching the tree line and generally a mix of two and three storeys. The marina should be much more modest, possibly about 60 berths. In time, if there is a need for an expansion then the merit of an expansion should be subject to a further development application.The council has taken part in many discussions with the developer and state agencies about the Trinity Point development. The Department of Lands recently gave permission for an application to be lodged over its land, the lake bed. The council's intention to provide tourism on this site was appropriate to provide long-term employment opportunities in a part of the city that doesn't enjoy easy access to a large pool of jobs. However, the council has now suffered the indignity of being bypassed with the development application to be determined by the Minister for Planning. While there is no indication how the Department of Planning will view the application, there is concern this will limit local voices.Greg Piper is Lake Macquarie's MP and Mayor.
© 2007 Newcastle Herald
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