The Lake Macquarie City area incorporates a diverse range of landscapes including the coast along its eastern edge, Lake Macquarie urban area in the centre and a system of ridges to the north and west. Lake Macquarie Council is responsible for management of more than 1,000 open space areas.
The Revision of the Local Environment Plan and preparation of the Life Style 2020 Strategic Plan provided an opportunity for preparation of a Strategy for the provision and management of Open Space throughout the City. URS was engaged by Council to prepare the Open Space Strategy Plan and Noel Corkery as a Principal Landscape Architect was responsible for management of the project.
The Open Space Strategy identified current shortfalls in the provision of recreation facilities and anticipated demand based on population projections in the Life Style 2020 Strategic Plan.
Client: Lake Macquarie City Cuoncil
Location: Lake Macquarie Local Government area NSW
Images: Corkery Consulting
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
To obtain current information on the actual time spent by various age groups participating in different recreation activities, a Recreation Participation Survey was carried out as part of the project. The telephone Survey involved stratified random sampling that was spatially defined. Data generated by structured questions that asked participants how much time they had spent participating in 30 defined recreation activities over particular periods. The data was analysed on the basis of age and gender as well as spatial
distribution across the planning precincts used by Council. The results were also cross checked against the actual recreation facilities and opportunities within the individual planning precincts.
The Open Space Strategy identified current shortfalls in the provision of recreation facilities and anticipated demand based on population projections in the Life Style 2020 Strategic Plan. Open Space required for conservation of ecological values was identified to allow
rezoning where necessary. Principal Scenic Resources of the City were identified including a system of tree covered ridges and sections of scenic coastline.
The Strategy provided Council with a guide to the location of new recreation facilities that were considered necessary to meet existing shortfalls as well as projected future demand. Protection of the Scenic Resources of the City will maintain the visual quality of the City which is a significant tourist attraction.