Image from the Lake Macquarie City Council Website of the Toronto Foreshore
YOU CAN NOW VIEW THE PROSPECTIVE COUNCILLORS FORUM ON LINE BY CLICKING VIEW COUNCILORS FORUM.
FOR MORE INFORMATION - INCLUDING COUNCILOR AND MAYORAL CANDIDATE BIO'S, PLEASE GO TO THE PROSPECTIVE COUNCILORS FORUM PAGE
WELCOME
THE TORONTO FORESHORE PROTECTION GROUP IS CHANGING ITS NAME
TO TORONTO ACTION GROUP. THE WEBSITE IS BEING UPDATED TO REFELCT THE CHANGE AND EXPLAIN THE REASONS WHY. STAY TUNED.
The Toronto Foreshore Protection Group (TFPG) was set up to preserve Toronto's public foreshore land as park for a growing population with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Councils plans for the Bath Street land. So what has happened?
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In April 2018, Lake Macquarie City Council resolved to prepare plans for lodgement of a development application for a 4-6 storey Residential and Tourist complex on land owned by Council (substitute Ratepayers) adjoining the Toronto Foreshore - Bath Street.
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In September 2019 - as a result of an unprecedented community backlash, Lake Macquarie City Council withdrew the proposal and through a number of rescission motions, approved actions to incorporate the land into the Toronto Foreshore Master Plan and reclassify the land from Operational to Community, which is what the community wanted.
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Since September 2019 - Council have dragged their feet with respect to implementing the rescission motions - a complete reversal of form when compared with the speed they went about starting the development in April 2018. The TPFG are focused on making sure the Council acts in accordance with the September 2019 rescission motions and keeping the community updated and involved in the development of the Toronto waterfront - including the Bath Street land, as parkland for all the community.
With the now council approved Toronto Foreshore Master Plan, wider issues are being revealed - parking, boating access and councils reluctance to progress with re-classifying the Bath Street land from Operational to Community, being key points of concern. The TFPG felt there was a need to change the name to reflect a change in focus - a focus on issues broader than just the Bath Street land, and to remove the negative connotation associated with the word 'Protection' in favour of a more positive 'Action' stance.
DRAFT TORONTO FORESHORE MASTER PLAN 2021
Lake Macquarie City Council have now released the draft Toronto Foreshore Master plan and if you have not seen it, you can view the plan and provide your input by clicking on this link - Toronto Foreshore Master Plan. There will also be a pop-up information session on the Toronto foreshore on March 11 - 3 to 6pm. We encourage you to also let your West Ward councillors and the Mayor know what you think about the draft plan - contact details for the councillors and Mayor are as follows:
Councillor David Belcher:
Telephone: 0429 914 623 Email: dbelcher@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
Councillor Jason Pauling:
Telephone: 0417 416 577 Email: jpauling@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
Councillor Luke Cubis:
Telephone: 0429 939 475 Email: lcubis@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
Councillor Wendy Harrison:
Telephone: 0409 775 432 Email: wharrison@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
Mayor Kay Fraser:
Telephone: 02 4921 0223 Email: kfraser@lakemac.nsw.gov.au
In the meantime, the Royal Motor Yacht Club have submitted there comments on the plan and you can view them by clicking RMYCT
QUOTABLE QUOTES - 2020
Over the coming weeks, we will include in this section, quotes made by the Mayor in relation to the proposed Bath Street development following the decision by council at the August 26 2019 Council Meeting, not to proceed with the development. You can see a report on the meeting (Are We There Yet?) - published in the Coal Point Chronicle, by going to the Reference Documents Page.
'A plan is only as good as its participation'
(Mayor Fraser 2NURFM 3/7/2020)
TFPG Comment: That should make the Toronto Foreshore Master Plan perfect!
'Community Engagement is at the heart of our decision making processes and something I pride myself on...'
(August 2019 Council Meeting)
'We have heard from the community... our previous decision - though it was well intended, may not now be the best decision'
(August 2019 Council Meeting)
TFPG Comment: So why still investigate?
'...we must ensure that we are fully informed and consult widely in the best interests of our community...'
(August 2019 Council Meeting)
TFPG Comment: But will you listen?
'...there is now a pipeline of projects that will deliver economic and employment diversity on a scale far greater than councils Bath Street development could...'
(August 2019 Council Meeting)
TFPG comment: So why cant we have a foreshore park?
'Before council makes any decision about parcels of land at Bath Street and Victory Row it will not be without proper consultation with the community and lengthy discussion about what the community wants...I give the community absolute assurance this is what will happen in this process...'
(August 2019 Council Meeting)
TFPG Comment: Definition of consult is to seek information or advice from.
'We aren't a city that lets its community down...'
(August 2019 Council Meeting)
TFPG Comment: Actions speak louder than words.
'...The community will be involved extensively (in decisions about the Bath Street site)...'
(August 2019 Council Meeting)
TFPG Comment: Please define involved?
'...I have listened to the community and believe that it is time to take a step back and not proceed with the planning proposal...'
(August 2019 Council Meeting)
TFPG Comment: So why still investigate?