MORISSET PLACE STRATEGY

Discussion paper

Acknowledgement Of Country

Lake Macquarie City Council dhumaan Awabakala ngarrakal yalawaa, yalawan, yalawanan. Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges the Awabakal people and Elders past, present and future.

Dhumaan ngayin ngarrakalu kirraanan barayidin. We remember and respect the Ancestors who cared for and nurtured this Country.

Ngarrakalumba yuludaka bibayilin barayida baaduka. It is in their footsteps that we travel these lands and waters.

Wording by the Aboriginal Reference Group and translated by Miromaa Aboriginal Language and Technology Centre.

Contents

We are preparing a Place Strategy to guide the future development and growth of Morisset, which has been recognised by Lake Macquarie City Council and the NSW Government as a location of strategic significance for population and jobs growth, providing widespread benefits for the local government area and the broader Hunter region.

This discussion paper presents a vision for growing Morisset and aims to enhance what people love about the area. It proposes actions and studies that will be required to prepare and implement a Place Strategy for Morisset.

We invite you to provide feedback and help shape the future of Morisset.

WHAT IS A PLACE STRATEGY?

A Place Strategy is a framework to manage the growth of an area. It streamlines the process by which land is rezoned to enable more housing, services and jobs, and to help manage biodiversity conservation, flooding and bush fire threats. A Place Strategy will enable state and local planning requirements to be considered up front for growth areas in and around Morisset, with funding support from the NSW Government.

Decisions on infrastructure investment often lag behind new growth areas and the delivery of more housing. An infrastructure-first, place-based approach to planning requires infrastructure providers, the development industry and government agencies to take a coordinated approach. This collaboration will achieve better outcomes for communities, industry and government.

Place Strategy planning establishes a platform around which the community, state and local government, business and other stakeholders can collaborate in pursuit of an agreed vision and, in turn, attract growth and investment that balances social, economic and environmental outcomes.

Strategic planning to determine the best location for people, homes, and jobs must consider and balance a wide range of environmental, economic and social issues.

With a growing population, it makes sense to focus development and growth in and around our centres with good transport links and other required infrastructure. This not only makes our lives more convenient and connected, but also helps us avoid the costly impacts of greenfield or “out of centre” development. By planning wisely, we can create vibrant and thriving communities that are sustainable for generations to come.

WHY PREPARE A PLACE STRATEGY FOR MORISSET?

Morisset is identified as a regionally significant growth area within the Hunter Regional Plan 2041 and, as such, requires the preparation and implementation of a Place Strategy.

Morisset is a good place for growth with its strategic location and qualities, including direct and easy access to the M1 Motorway, the Main North railway line, infrastructure availability, amenity, land availability, and proximity to the Central Coast, Newcastle/Hunter and Sydney.