Lake Macquarie City Council has unveiled a draft capital works program exceeding $80 million for the 2026-27 financial year, with the reconstruction of its fire-ravaged administration building expected to consume more than half of that budget.
Insurance Uncertainty Clouds Major Reconstruction
The council's Speers Point headquarters, partially destroyed in an arson attack in November 2024, now carries a reconstruction cost estimate of $43 million. This figure has escalated from a $30 million listing just months ago in November 2025, with officials warning that continued delays in finalising the insurance assessment could see it grow further.
Mayor Adam Shultz expressed frustration at the ongoing situation, stating the percentage to be covered by insurance remains unresolved. "The longer this continues [the more it costs]," Cr Shultz said. "We've got to lease Wallsend and Warners Bay and costs are increasing through no fault of our own." Since February 2025, 450 staff have been operating from temporary offices in Wallsend, with the mayor based in Warners Bay. A council spokesperson confirmed all ongoing costs for these temporary premises are being met by the insurer.
A Shift to Community 'Fundamentals'
Excluding the administration building, the draft capital works program allocates $36.99 million to a wide array of community infrastructure. Mayor Shultz described the coming 18 months as a period focused on core services rather than mega-projects. "There's no big Hunter Sports Centre or huge upgrade, but a focus on the fundamentals," he explained. "That being road rehab or it being amenity blocks or lighting upgrades or drainage for sporting fields."
This follows the delivery of a $119.2 million capital works program in 2024-25, which came in $4.5 million under budget and was headlined by the $53 million expansion of the Hunter Sports Centre.
Key Projects Slated for 2026-27
The draft plan outlines numerous projects scheduled for completion or progression in the next financial year. Major roadworks include the $12.6 million upgrade of Wyee Road and Alliance Avenue in Morisset. Significant community facility investments are also planned.
Notable projects include:
- Lighting upgrades at Cardiff's Nancy Dwyer Netball Courts ($275,000), Barnsley's Taylor Park ($550,000), and Toronto's Lyall Peacock Field ($340,000).
- Drainage improvements at Windale's Hunter Barnett Oval ($220,000) and Dora Creek's Douglass Street Oval ($300,000).
- A $5.4 million bridge replacement at Racecourse Road in Teralba.
- Road rehabilitation on Grand Parade at Bonnells Bay ($1.7m).
- Continued work on the $12.6 million Charlestown to Whitebridge active transport route and the $2m shared path between Soldiers Road and Lake Macquarie Airport.
One of Mayor Shultz's long-promised projects, the $2.3 million Cardiff Town Park first pledged in 2007, is finally expected to move into the detailed design and property acquisition phase, with demolition works slated to begin next financial year.
Imminent Openings After Long Waits
The first quarter of 2026 will also see the delivery of several completed projects. A new $335,000 Windale Junior Rugby League clubhouse, replacing one destroyed by fire in March 2025, was unveiled this week.
The $4 million upgrade of Harold Knight Oval at Gateshead is set to open on January 20, becoming the new home for the Kahibah Rams soccer club. Macquarie Field at Speers Point will reopen in February following a $2 million revamp featuring a new grandstand.
Furthermore, the $4.2 million upgrade of West Wallsend Swim Centre, including a new learn-to-swim pool, is scheduled for a late March opening, and the long-awaited reopening of Awaba House at Booragul is expected in April.
The draft capital works program remains subject to change following further review and council approvals.
