Council Launches Community Consultation for 'People's Park'
Lake Macquarie City Council is calling on residents to help shape the future of one of the Hunter region's most popular public spaces. Mayor Adam Shultz has described Speers Point Park as 'the people's park' and wants fresh community ideas to guide its development for years to come.
The council has opened public submissions that will inform the new Plan of Management and Master Plan for the 43-hectare site. This comprehensive area includes not only the main parkland but also the Speers Point Swim Centre, Macquarie Field, Walters Park, and New Tredinnick Oval - facilities used regularly for rugby union, soccer, and cricket.
From Indigenous Meeting Place to Premier Recreation Hub
Speers Point Park holds significant historical value, having originally served as a popular meeting place for Indigenous people before being gazetted as 'Lake Macquarie Park' in 1888. Despite its official name, the community has always known it as Speers Point Park.
Since the last master plan was adopted in 2008, the park has undergone remarkable transformation. Council has added several major attractions including the award-winning Lake Macquarie Variety Playground, the Regional Football Facility, and the Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP mima). The park now hosts significant events that draw thousands of visitors, such as the Lake Mac Christmas Carols, Homegrown Markets, and Red Hot Summer concerts.
'A lot has changed in those 18 years,' Mayor Shultz acknowledged. 'This is about going back for community consultation and making sure we're heading in the right direction. It really is the premier park in Lake Macquarie, and we want to ensure the community is engaged and we have sound plans of management for the future.'
Addressing Growing Pains and Future Vision
The park's increasing popularity has brought some challenges, particularly around traffic congestion and parking availability. These issues become most apparent on weekends when soccer matches, markets, and pool visitors create simultaneous demand.
'In terms of the main arterial road, we've been advocating to the state government for a number of years in terms of fixing those traffic woes,' Cr Shultz explained. 'When something becomes more popular, it obviously increases that traffic capacity. That kind of commentary and feedback from people is really important as well.'
The council has scheduled several opportunities for residents to engage directly with the project team:
- November 25 from 10am to 1pm
- December 1 from 8-11am and 4-7pm
- December 7 from 9am to 2pm
The community consultation period will remain open until December 14, 2025, giving residents ample time to contribute their vision for enhancing this beloved community asset while preserving its unique character and addressing practical concerns.
