S ’ T E L C A M E K A L CITY OPPORTUNITY
Your
PLAYGROUND
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Inside. Welcome to Lake Mac .............................................4 A City like no other.....................................................6 Your natural playground...................................8 Thrill-seekers unite............................................12 A creative City......................................................19 Where we play...........................................................22 Meet our locals..........................................................28 Gabby + Will............................................................28 Leigha......................................................................30 Dave + Anna...........................................................32 Nick + Danka.........................................................34 Where we call home...............................................36 North East...............................................................38 South East..............................................................40 North West.............................................................42 West and South West........................................44 City opportunity, coastal lifestyle...................46
Wandakalua (Welcome)
We remember and respect the Ancestors who cared for and nurtured this Country. Dhumaan ngayin ngarrakalu kirraanan barayidin. It is in their footsteps that we travel these lands and waters. Ngarrakalumba yuludaka bibayilin barayida baaduka. Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges Awabakal People and Elders past, present and future. Lake Macquarie City Council dhumaan Awabakala ngarrakal yalawaa, yalawan, yalawanan.
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MEE T OUR MAYOR
Our magnificent Lake Macquarie is the centrepiece for our City, where life by the lake offers a natural playground for all our residents. The relationship with our lake is particularly special. A source of life for thousands of years for the Awabakal people, the traditional custodians of the area. It connects our City, our people and our vibrant communities together. Banked by beaches and forests, it’s easy to see why Lake Mac is renowned as a location for recreation and lifestyle. And having one of the largest saltwater lakes in the country means our community of 205,000 people is incredibly active on and off the water, with ample parks, playgrounds and facilities providing endless opportunities to get outdoors and celebrate together. Adventure and recreation are balanced with opportunity and collaboration. We are a City that is transforming from a history of mining and manufacturing, and emerging with innovation, new industries and a thriving economy. Our City continues to grow with energy and optimism as we look ahead to the future. Uniquely, we have nine major centres strategically spread across the
City, which are focal points for employment, recreation, retail and services. These centres are all home to amazing schools, healthcare and affordable housing, and have opportunities for emerging and established businesses.
Lake Mac is a City unlike any other that has been built naturally for your lifestyle. Our wonderful community looks forward to welcoming you and we invite you to consider Lake Macquarie as the perfect location for your new home.
Cr Kay Fraser Mayor of Lake Macquarie
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A CITY NO OTHER
Lake Mac is a City like no other, with lively communities, beautiful beaches, lush forests and the delights of lakeside life. A City that is rich in new ideas and new-generation thinking – a natural playground for progress and possibility. To live here is to be connected. To be part of a genuine community that values creativity and collaboration, wellbeing and sustainability, opportunity and diversity. A community alive with energy and optimism, thriving in a City that’s home to exciting adventure and industry, new experiences and innovation. Our people shape our future, rather than waiting for it. And our vision for Lake Macquarie does the same, forging ahead with purpose and working tirelessly to make tomorrow greater.
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Illustration by Kimberly Brown from Alkimy Art
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YOUR PLAYGROUND From sun-drenched beaches, across a glistening lake to the Watagans National Park, Lake Macquarie is a location alive with natural beauty and the unique and vibrant communities lucky enough to call this place home.
Glenrock State Recreation Area walking tracks
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Beaches Lake Macquarie’s spectacular 32km coastline features four patrolled beaches, from Redhead in the north to Catherine Hill Bay in the south, with Blacksmiths and Caves Beach in between. Along our coastline you’ll discover long stretches of sand dunes, sea caves and secret bays, accessible only on foot. Lake Macquarie’s beaches are not only stunning, they’re smart. The pioneering Smart Beaches project is a partnership between Lake Macquarie City Council, Sydney’s Northern Beaches Council and the University of Technology Sydney, improving beach safety through the installation of cutting-edge sensors that monitor the beach to provide earlier detection of dangerous conditions.
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Lake Lake Macquarie may stretch from the mountains to the beach, but its beating heart is the lake itself. One of the largest saltwater lakes in Australia, Lake Macquarie has a circumference of 174km, creating a spectacular natural playground and a haven for coastal living. Marinas, yacht clubs and boat tours are all on offer. Why not go jetty jumping at Belmont Baths or hire a kayak and tour the lake?
TOP: Raffertys, Cams Wharf LEFT: Redhead Beach RIGHT: Pines Campground, Watagans National Park
Bushland Wonders of nature are waiting to be found in Lake Macquarie. Watagans National Park covers almost 20 per cent of the City and is brimming with scenic landscapes to discover: moss covered trees and boulders, towering canopies of red cedar and Illawarra flame trees, breathtaking views from mountain tops. Full of cultural history, Watagans National Park is home to more than 40 sites that provide a glimpse into ancient Aboriginal art and engraving techniques. Other spots to explore include Glenrock State Conservation Area, Mount Sugarloaf at West Wallsend and the Dillwynia Bushland Reserve at Morisset.
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THRILL-SEEKERS
UNITE
Excitement and adventure await at every turn in Lake Macquarie. Whether you’re a nature lover or a full-on adrenaline junkie, there are new experiences to be had and memories to be made all over the City.
Scenic helicopter flight with Skyline Aviation
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Monkey Face Lookout Park Located within the Watagans National Park and overlooking the Martinsville Valley, Monkey Face Lookout is one of Lake Mac’s best vantage points and perfect for abseiling, hiking and 4WD enthusiasts. For those who like their adventures at a slower pace, the sweeping views are a perfect spot to enjoy a picnic on the grass or take time to spot some of Lake Mac’s wildlife. While you’re there, visit Boarding House Dam, the ideal spot to go paddling if you want to cool off in summer.
JetBuzz Watersports When your City is home to Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake, it almost goes without saying that water sports are a must. JetBuzz Watersports offers unique water adventures on Lake Macquarie, whether you’re looking to hire a boat for the day or go on a thrilling jet-boat adventure. JetBuzz also offers houseboat rides, standup paddle board and kayak rentals. They are located at Raffertys Resort at Cams Wharf.
Awaba Mountain Bike Park This magnet for mountain-biking adventurers features a 12km crosscountry loop among its various trails, as well as a 3km downhill track, a gravity trail and other trails to suit all ages. It plays host to topshelf mountain bike events, but is equally accessible for beginners.
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LEFT: Abseiling at Watagans National Park RIGHT: Jet-boat adventure with Jetbuzz
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Skydive Newcastle Feeling adventurous? Skydive Newcastle, located at Lake Macquarie Airport, offers tandem skydiving up to 15,000 feet, with guaranteed views over Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. They also offer the closest beach jump in the Hunter with direct access to the beach.
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U O Y O D Y WH E K A L E V LO ? E I R A U Q MAC Lake Mac local Matt Hall spends much of his life in the sky. A third-generation pilot, he has served in the Royal Australian Air Force as a fighter combat instructor and was the first Australian to compete in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. In a career that spanned eight seasons, Hall won seven races, accumulated 30 podium finishes and was crowned the 10th World Champion of the sport in 2019.
When I was told I was going to be racing in the Red Bull Air Race, I realised it’s an international sport so I could live anywhere in the world. I made a list of the things I wanted from where I live. I wanted to be somewhere where I can jump on an airline within two hours and do international travel. I wanted to be somewhere in Australia. I wanted to be somewhere near the beaches. I wanted to be somewhere I can go sailing and water-ski. Obviously, I had to be near an airfield. When it came down to it, after listing all those qualities, where I live now is the perfect fit. If you want to be able to do most things in life, this is your spot.
LEFT: Skydiving over Lake Macquarie RIGHT Matt Hall, Lake Macquarie Airport 17
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A
CREATIVE CITY Lake Macquarie is a City that nurtures and celebrates creativity and innovation, and the Museum of Art and Culture (MAC) is the City’s creative home.
Museum of Art and Culture (MAC)
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The waterfront site at Booragul has recently undergone a major expansion, and now boasts a cafe with views over Lake Macquarie, outdoor function spaces and a dedicated Aboriginal program, yapang. MAC hosts an ever-changing array of home-grown and touring exhibitions, featuring the works of local and international artists, and there are regular workshops and events to give both children and adults the opportunity to be creative. Cycling to MAC is a great way to take in Lake Macquarie’s cultural scene. Ride the Creative LAKE trail from Eleebana and Boolaroo, and enjoy sculptural works from internationallyrenowned artists with the lake as your backdrop.
RIGHT: Museum of Art and Culture (MAC) BELOW: Creative LAKE trail. Alex Seton’s The Soloist
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Stop off at Teralba to enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat at Flying Spanners cafe and gallery or drop into the Maker’s Place, in the old Frith’s department store building, and browse a myriad of works by local artists, sculptors and craftspeople.
U O Y O D WHY AKE LOVE L ARIE? MACQU Saretta Fielding is a Wonnarua woman and creator of Saretta Art and Design
On the eastern side of the lake at the Swansea Centre, you’ll find SEEN@Swansea, an exhibition space exploring Lake Macquarie’s history, community stories and treasures. Its varied exhibition roster showcases everything from dinosaurs to art made from everyday recyclables.
Did you know? Renowned Australian portrait and landscape artist Sir William Dobell called Lake Macquarie home. You can visit the heritage-listed former home of the Archibald Prize winner, Dobell House, at Wangi Wangi.
I’ve been blessed to call Lake Macquarie home all my life. For me, living and working in Lake Macquarie is about connection to people and place. I love the sense of community and the beauty of the City, where I can watch the sun rise over the lake and set over the native bushland of the mountains. The natural landscape of Lake Macquarie is a constant inspiration.
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WHERE WE Whether it’s at the local playground or sports field, a weekend farmers market or a major community event, the people of Lake Macquarie love nothing more than to kick up their heels and come together for a good time.
Feast for the Senses, Speers Point Park
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Speers Point Park Speers Point Park is one of Lake Mac’s recreational hubs. It’s where Lake Mac residents of all ages come together to relax, play and party. The Lake Macquarie Variety Playground is a regional drawcard for families. This award-winning, two-hectare, all-abilities play space is fully fenced and offers fun and engaging experiences for children of all ages, from the 12m-tall climbing structure and double flying fox to sensory play areas and junior bicycle circuit. A cafe opens onto the playground, making it the perfect spot for parents to relax while watching the kids play. The City’s first fenced dog exercise area is located nearby, complete with agility training equipment. A boat ramp, one of many that dot the lake’s 174km shoreline, and the 83m-long Speers Point jetty mean the park is easily accessible by boat, and there is ample car parking available. The precinct also boasts a range of fitness and sports facilities, including an outdoor fitness trail, the Speers Point Swim Centre and Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
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Speers Point Park’s open spaces and paved promenade make it a popular location for community events throughout the year, including the Lake Macquarie Farmers Market and annual Living Smart Festival, one of Australia’s largest sustainable living events.
TOP: Lake Macquarie Farmers Markets LEFT: Variety Playground ABOVE: Speers Point jetty 25
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Fernleigh Track The Fernleigh Track is the Hunter Region’s most popular shared pathway, connecting the cities of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle. Suitable for all fitness levels, there are more than a dozen places to enter the Track between Belmont and Adamstown, and six of these access points have car parking available nearby, making it an easy walk or ride for almost anyone. The 15km route along a disused coal haul rail line begins in Adamstown, in the south-east of Newcastle, before passing through the Lake Macquarie suburbs of Kahibah, Whitebridge, Redhead, Jewells and Belmont, taking in the Glenrock State Conservation Area, Awabakal Nature Reserve, Belmont Wetlands State Park and former railway stations and heritage relics along the way.
Insider tip: Stop for a bite to eat at one of the local cafes, like PEGS at Whitebridge, as you cycle, walk or skate your way along the track.
LEFT: Fernleigh Track ABOVE: PEGS cafe, Whitebridge 27
MEE T OUR S LOCAL
GABBY + WILL
Community Refill finds a home in Lake Mac Gabby and Will Magin are the husband-and-wife duo behind Community Refill. With a passion for manufacturing organic and primarily plastic-free beauty, personal care and cleaning products, the couple established their eco-focused business in 2016. “Gabby and I have a background in organic food manufacturing and we saw an opportunity to create a business,” Will says. Community Refill offers locally made products that are refillable from the company’s shopfront in Warners Bay. Their brand ethos is to create a more circular consumer system, which doesn’t rely on excessive packaging that is thrown away as soon as the product runs out. “We export our products all over the world, to the United States, Europe, Canada and Singapore,” Gabby says.
“People who come into the store are always happy to have a chat and share ideas about sustainability and the environment,” Will says. For the couple, it’s that connection to their customers that makes working in Lake Macquarie so special. “Since opening, we’ve received a lot of positive feedback and support,” Gabby says.
“We’re really passionate about reducing single-use plastics, and it’s great to meet people in Lake Mac who share that passion.”
“We moved our business to Warners Bay because we were growing and needed the space.” The move to Warners Bay also allowed for a store-front and the opportunity to engage on a more personal level with customers.
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“We’ve found the perfect spot, a place where our business can grow and a community that shares our values.”
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MEE T OUR S LOCAL
LEIGHA Calling Lake Mac home after travelling the world For Leigha Gasson, home is about community and belonging. Growing up in an adoptive family in the leafy suburb of Jewells, Leigha enjoyed the typical coastal upbringing, spending long summer days at the beach and hanging out with friends on weekends. When she turned 20, Leigha made the move to Sydney to “spread her wings” and joined the food and beverage team at Star Casino. “It was the year of the Olympics and a really exciting time to be in Sydney and living in a new city for the first time. As a young woman in her 20s, I loved all the action,” Leigha recalls. After getting married and having children, Leigha and her partner moved to the UK, but decided to return to Australia after the Global Financial Crisis. “It was really important to me to find a place where our family – especially the kids – could fit in and
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feel like they belong,” Leigha says. “In the time my kids have grown, I’ve watched Lake Mac become more and more diverse, which is fantastic to see.” “We try to support local where we can and enjoy getting out and making the most of all the great facilities we have on our doorstep, from the beautiful beaches to great shopping at Charlestown and live music at local pubs. As a family, one of our favourite activities is taking a stroll through the local Famers Markets, which is just a short walk from our home.” Between weekends, Leigha works as a Human Resources Manager with disability support provider My Goal Australia based at Dashworks, a co-working space in Charlestown. Leigha is part of Lake Mac’s largest industry sector, with healthcare and social assistance employing almost one in five people in the City.
“My whole life I’ve always wanted to work in a field where I can change people’s lives and help them, so to be able to support people in my own community is very rewarding.”
“The location is right for the business too. Charlestown is a central hub for clients right across the Hunter Region, and Sydney is just a short trip down the M1 if we need it. “And the commute to the office each day is ideal having lived in big cities with plenty of free parking close to our offices.” It may have taken a global economic crisis to bring Leigha and her family home to Lake Macquarie, but now she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. “Tell me another place where you’re minutes from the lake, the beach and the mountains. Plus, we have beautiful places like the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens on our doorstep. “I always encourage my kids to get out and discover the world, like I did, but I will be happy if they choose to come home to Lake Macquarie.”
Discover Dashworks A modern co-working space for entrepreneurs and start-ups, Dashworks is a collaborative, purpose-built facility, designed to help businesses grow. Since launching in 2016, Dashworks has become a hub for more than 120 members working across its two locations: Workspace, a co-working hub in Charlestown, and Makespace, a commercially-focused makerspace and prototyping facility in Warners Bay. Backed by Dantia, Lake Macquarie’s economic development company, both facilities are committed to nurturing businesses and accelerating innovation across the region.
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MEE T OUR S LOCAL
DAVE + ANNA Riding into Lake Mac sunsets after a shift from Sydney A visit to an old friend turned into a life-changing move to Lake Macquarie for father-of-two Dave Mulquiney and his family. “A mate moved here and I came up for a weekend and just loved the place,” Mulquiney says. “I spoke to a recruiter as soon as I went back home and had four interviews lined up the following week. Within three weeks, I moved here.” Mulquiney’s profession as an accountant didn’t change – he runs a firm with clients nationwide – but everything else did. “You get a house with a yard here for the price of an apartment in Sydney. Commuting time doesn’t even compare, and, to put it simply, it’s more relaxed. Less people and a smaller City make it feel more chilled,” he says.
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I love that my two boys can grow up with the beach and bush at their back door, but still be in a region that can offer them plenty of opportunity as they grow.
“We take the 4WD on to Redhead Beach, we run down by the lake of an evening and play a few local sports. There are plenty of options for a weekend, and we are still discovering new places.” Since moving to Lake Mac in 2010, Mulquiney has also developed a love of mountain biking.
It’s a passion fuelled by some of the State’s best single-track trails snaking through the bush nearby at Glenrock State Conservation area, at Awaba Mountain Bike Park at the foot of the Watagans, and at Killingworth near the historic town of West Wallsend. “For the last three years, I’ve been working from home which is great, and this flexibility allowed me to get out on the bike more,” Mulquiney says. “The more I explored, the more I got into it. It was amazing the variety out there for riding.” Having those outlets for physical activity has proved a boon – for both Mulquiney’s physical and mental health. “To be honest, it wasn’t even on my radar when I moved here,” he says. “But it has become one of the reasons why I don’t think I could leave.”
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MEE T OUR S LOCAL NICK AND DANKA
Living closer to nature Creative couple Danka Gralik and Nick Druery were living in Manly when they decided it was time to jump on the property ladder. They soon realised, however, that their budget wouldn’t go far in the popular beachside suburb. They began researching other Sydney neighbourhoods and even looked as far afield as the Gold Coast when a day trip to Lake Macquarie sparked an idea. “We fell in love with the area,” Nick says. “It reminded us of the Northern Beaches, but with less people.” By April, the pair had bought a three-bedroom house with a big yard two blocks from the beach — a far cry from their cramped Manly apartment. “I really love it. We’re so close to nature in Caves Beach and every time we explore, we find something new,” says Danka. Nick, who works in tech, began his new Lake Mac work-life commuting three days a week to the same Sydney-based office he worked from while in Manly, starting and finishing his workday on the train. His commute only lasted for six months, before he landed a local opportunity.
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For Danka, who runs her own branding business, Lemmy, the move has been seamless. “I have clients all over the world, but everything is online now, so I don’t think location matters.”
It’s great to have a house now and be able to look into the garden while I work.
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WHERE WE Stretching out from Lake Macquarie, the geographic heart of our City, you’ll find vibrant communities, each with its own unique character and stories to discover.
LEFT: Warners Bay Foreshore
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The North East Eat, drink, shop, play This picturesque pocket of the City boasts bushland oases and ready lake access close to some of our City’s burgeoning economic hubs. The lakeside suburb of Belmont continues to grow thanks to both public and private sector investment. Multi-storey mixed use and residential development along the Pacific Highway has attracted new residents and businessowners to the area, while improvements along the foreshore, including the recently revamped Belmont Baths, contribute to the enviable lifestyle locals enjoy.
TOP: Belmont Baths TOP RIGHT: Common Circus BOTTOM RIGHT: Belmont Beers, Blues & Barbecue Festival
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Retail and service industries thrive in Charlestown, with Charlestown Square the Region’s largest shopping centre. The shopping and lifestyle precinct is home to major international retailers H&M, Apple, Sephora, Mecca, Daiso, LEGO and more, while The Corner, on the centre’s south-eastern boundary, showcases some of the Hunter Region’s best culinary offerings, from unbeatable burgers and bao to Neapolitan pizza and traditional Italian gelato.
Insider tip: If you’re in need
of an energy boost after spending the day splashing around at Belmont Baths, why not wander across the road to Common Circus? They’ve not only got your coffee fix sorted, they also boast an inspiring range of homewares, clothing and gifts.
Warners Bay, on the shores of Lake Macquarie, is the City’s go-to spot for coffee and peoplewatching, and is where residents of all ages come to relax and play. Enjoy the free weekly Music in the Podium on Friday nights on the foreshore throughout summer, browse boutique stores along The Esplanade, rent a Boomerang Bike and explore on two wheels, or take in inspiring artworks along the Creative LAKE sculptural trail. Lake Mac’s North East boasts a diversity of housing options to suit a range of budgets, from lakefront luxury apartments and mediumdensity development in the urban centres, to the benefits of closeknit community living in more suburban areas like Windale, Mount Hutton and Jewells.
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RIGHT: Wallarah coastal walk, Caves Beach BOTTOM LEFT: Catherine Hill Bay BOTTOM RIGHT: Swansea
Insider tip: If you’re looking
The South East Lake meets ocean This is where the lake meets the ocean. Where people flock to take in the water vistas, enjoy the beach and lake foreshores, and explore the local bushland. And with Sydney just 90 minutes away, South East Lake Macquarie offers a laid-back coastal lifestyle with all the benefits of easy intercity access. Swansea is the commercial heart of the City’s South East and home to its Visitor Information Centre, co-located with the local Lake Mac Libraries branch and SEEN@Swansea gallery in the Swansea Centre. Tourism is a significant economic driver for the City and the South East has options to suit all tastes and budgets, from campsites at Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park to beachfront villas at Caves Beach Bar and Bungalows. Nearby Lake Macquarie Airport offers high-flying experiences for leisure and thrill-seekers, including chartered flights and skydiving. Once a bustling coastal mining town, Catherine Hill Bay is now a heritagelisted cultural precinct, with a growing residential area to the south. The beach, known simply as ‘Catho’ to locals, is one of the best in the region for surfing, and the historic Catho Pub, established in 1875, is another local institution.
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for panoramic ocean views, look no further than Illawong Park. Tucked away in a residential pocket of Swansea Heads, this reserve overlooks the Tasman Sea and is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic or watch whales as they migrate up and down the NSW coast from late April to November.
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The North West Up and coming Young families are flocking to north-western suburbs like Cameron Park and West Wallsend to take advantage of affordable house and land packages close to schools and essential services. The Pasterfield Sports Complex at Cameron Park features playing fields and courts, outdoor fitness facilities, a BMX track and skate park and two huge playgrounds for children of all ages, while the indoor West Wallsend Swim Centre offers year-round fitness and recreation opportunities. The bushland of the North West is home to significant cultural sites for the Awabakal people, who called Lake Mac home for thousands of years before European settlement. These include the Butterfly Cave, a traditional ceremonial and meeting place for Aboriginal women, and Mount Sugarloaf, known as Warrawelong, an important teaching site and setting for the Dreamtime story of Puttikin. The Sugarloaf State Conservation Area has several walking tracks and vantage points to take in magnificent views over Lake Macquarie and the wider Hunter Region.
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This part of the City has been identified as a key ‘catalyst area’, with the potential to generate significant jobs, housing and services for the wider Hunter Region, and we are already starting to see significant investment being made. US retailer Costco will build its first regional store in NSW at Boolaroo, and Cameron Park was recently crowned Australia’s top growth suburb, according to realestate.com.au data, with property values increasing 828 per cent in the two decades between 2000 to 2020.
Insider tip: The suburb of
Cameron Park was named after Ian Cameron, one of the founders of speedway and motorbike racing in Australia. Go Kart World boasts the longest track and fastest karts in the region, with more than a kilometre of fast straights and thrilling corners in karts that will see you reach speeds of up to 100kmh.
TOP: Flying Spanner cafe, Teralba BOTTOM RIGHT: Pasterfield Sports Complex, Cameron Park BOTTOM LEFT: Nords Wharf
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The West and South West Natural connection The pristine bushland of the Watagans meet sparkling waters of Lake Macquarie in the West and South West of the City. Watagans National Park in the City’s western ranges offers stunning wilderness to explore, with opportunities for hiking, biking, adventure activities and camping, while the western side of the lake is a prime location for fishing, swimming, sailing and water-sports of all kinds. Toronto, Morisset and Wyee are the major economic centres on the western side of the lake. The busy main street of Toronto, The Boulevarde, opens onto a stunning lake vista. You’ll find boats moored at the jetties that line the lake’s western edge, and families enjoying picnics along the foreshore. Morisset and Wyee, in the South West of the City, are key growth locations, close to the railway between Sydney and Newcastle.
The City’s wartime heritage is on display on the western side of the lake in the unique lakeside community of Rathmines, once home to the largest seaplane base in the Southern Hemisphere. Much of the original infrastructure from this time is still visible today, including Club Catalina, the former officers’ mess. From affordable house and land packages on the doorsteps of the Watagans at Cooranbong to luxury resort-style living on the lake at Trinity Point, the City’s West and South West has a diverse housing market for those keen to enjoy a lakeside lifestyle close to natural bushland and intercity rail and road connections.
RIGHT: Toronto Foreshore TOP RIGHT: Marmong Point Marina BOTTOM RIGHT: Watagans National Park 44
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Insider tip: The best time to
visit Watagans National Park is after a period of rainfall, when the greenery is lush and the Park’s picturesque waterfalls are following freely.
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CITY OPPORTUNITY
The history of Lake Macquarie may be rooted in traditional industry, but the City of today is one that’s increasingly known for embracing the latest technology and innovation; a City of opportunity with a growing population and a thriving local economy.
Thriving construction industry in Lake Macquarie 47
WE’RE
growing 2450 new homes built each year
560K median house price
$
205, 900+ people call Lake Macquarie home
Our top 3 employment sectors: health and social assistance, retail and construction
70+ educational facilities
19.9 billion economic outputand construction $
3 private hospitals
13,132 active businesses
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6000 hectares of land ready for development
CLOSE CONNECTIONS
Lake Macquarie is perfectly placed for travel and trade, with major cities and transport hubs at its doorstep. The City is also strategically located close to worldleading health and education institutions. John Hunter Hospital, the primary referral centre for the Hunter New England Health district, is located at New Lambton Heights, just outside Lake Macquarie’s north-east boundary. It houses the State’s only regional trauma centre, and John Hunter Children’s Hospital. Closer to home, Lake Macquarie boasts a range of both public and private health facilities, such as Lake Macquarie Private Hospital at Gateshead, home to the Hunter Region’s only private emergency department, and the Hunter Cancer Centre, the region’s only comprehensive private oncology service providing medical and radiation oncology, research, education and support services in one location. In the education space, Lake Macquarie benefits from its close proximity to the University of Newcastle at Callaghan, a top200 university in the QS World University Rankings and a key driver of innovation through its world-class research and partnerships, and Avondale University College, a TEQSAregistered higher education provider with campuses in Cooranbong, in Lake Macquarie’s south-west, and Sydney.
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A CATALYST FOR
change
North West Lake Macquarie has been identified as a key growth zone. The area lies at the heart of the Hunter Region and will be the focus for infrastructure investment into the future, including development of the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange and expansion of the Hunter Sports Centre at Glendale.
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Glendale is an important commercial hub for the City, while neighbouring Cardiff is home to thriving manufacturing and technology sectors. Commercial and residential development has already begun on the former Pasminco site at Boolaroo, and the extension of Munibung Road, connecting Boolaroo with Cardiff, is expected to provide further catalyst for the development of more than 800 new homes and 20 additional hectares of employment-generating land at the site. To further drive development in the City’s North West, Lake Macquarie City Council has partnered with telecommunications provider TPG for a region-first ‘Fibre City’ program – a high-performance fibre-optic data network providing internet connections 20 times faster than the national average. The network is being rolled out at key points across the City, including North West Lake Macquarie, to encourage new business and innovation and to help support companies already here to expand.
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AMPCONTROL Prototyping cutting-edge ventilators at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was just the latest accomplishment for award-winning electrical engineering company Ampcontrol.
Just 12 months after launching its Lake Macquarie operations, the company found itself thrust into the effort to stem the spread of coronavirus. With a background in engineering solutions in the resources, infrastructure and energy sectors, it wasn’t where CEO Rod Henderson expected to be headed. But tackling new frontiers came easy to a company with innovation at its heart. “Innovation is very much part of our DNA at Ampcontrol and we are always looking to the horizon to see how we can further diversify our business,” Henderson says. “Engineering brainpower, rigorous testing and rapid prototyping allowed us to pivot our expertise very quickly.” The company is a partner in The Melt at Dashworks Makespace Warners Bay, an exciting collaborative hub where start-ups and corporates can access funding, expertise, equipment and pathways to rapidly commercialise their products. Parts vital to Ampcontrol’s ventilator
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prototype were designed and 3D printed at the Melt site, while the company’s electronics division at Cameron Park – also in Lake Macquarie – was responsible for research and development, electronics and production. “Warners Bay was the perfect base for us because it’s strategically located close to other manufacturing facilities across the Hunter,” Henderson says. Ampcontrol was established in the Hunter in 1968 and now employs more than 1000 people across Australia and internationally. Henderson says the work-life balance on offer in Lake Macquarie is one of its main attractions for the locally based workforce. “Lake Mac provides an incredible and affordable coastal lifestyle for our people, while also being strategically located near other advanced manufacturing facilities, research hubs and industries across the Hunter Region,” he says. “With a major airport nearby and great transport connectivity, we can service our customers right around the country and the world.”
They’re connections that will be in great demand as the company strives to stay at the tip of the innovation spear. It is currently working on construction of the largest underground mining booster fan in Australia, as well as a ground-breaking remote water treatment system to provide remote communities with safe, clean and sustainable drinking water. “What the team has achieved is nothing short of outstanding,” Henderson says.
It’s a testament to the engineering excellence and ingenuity in Lake Macquarie and the rest of our region.
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