GREEN space is at the heart of a Toronto foreshore masterplan unveiled yesterday by Lake Macquarie City Council.
The northern, or Bath Street, end of the five-hectare site has been a running controversy for the council since 2017 when it unveiled plans for a four-to-six storey residential development on foreshore land it owned next door to Toronto's Royal Motor Yacht Club.
Those plans were widely opposed, with the council's own former Lake Macquarie catchment coordinator, Jeff Jansson, taking a leading role in speaking out against the project.
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At the time, the council was linking the development to $9 million in council funding from developer contributions that would help beautify the town's waterfront strip.
A council spokesperson said yesterday those plans were "paused" in August 2019 and the multi-storey project was assessed against the council's sustainability policy. The result was suggestions for a single-story project - perhaps a cafe and a bike hub taking up about 150 square metres and set back from the waterfront - unveiled in August.
The draft masterplan was the next stage in the process. The $9 million in funding was still in place for the necessary works.
Lake mayor Kay Fraser said the draft was open for public feedback until December 18. As well as an online survey, the council was holding "COVID-safe" drop-in sessions at the foreshore rotunda on Thursday and Saturday this week.
"It's fantastic to see the draft masterplan for the Toronto foreshore and I'm eager to hear what residents think about the proposed plans," Cr Fraser said.
"There are some wonderful additions in the plan that will reinvigorate the Toronto foreshore and provide a space for people to enjoy the magnificent lakeside location."
The council's property and business development manager, David Antcliff, said feedback would help tell whether the concept was "on the right track" before the final plan was put on formal exhibition early next year.
"We've listened to what the community would like to see for the Toronto foreshore and used that to design a cohesive yet flexible foreshore experience that celebrates Toronto," Mr Antcliff said.
He said the plan could be viewed at shape.lakemac.com.au/future-toronto
What does the plan include?
- A small-scale cafe and bike hub coming from, and going to, the Greenway Track.
- A series of wharfs for recreation and relaxation
- A town green
- Expanding and integrating the play options at south eastern end of the site into the open space closer to the lake
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