Fact sheet 1 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTS & IMPACTS IN LAKE MACQUARIE GEOGRAPHY Local government area (1) Lake circumference (2) Approximately 757.8km 2 (including the lake) 174 km of foreshore Lake surface area (1,3) Approximately 110.6 km 2 Lake depth (4) Lake length (at longest point) (5) Lake width (at widest point) (5) Maximum: 11 m (off Pulbah Island) Averaging: 7 m (lake bed generally flat) 24 km (north-south) 3.2 km (east-west) Lake volume (6) Approximately 9 x 10 8 m 3 Catchment area (1) Coastline (7) CLIMATE Mean relative humidity (8) 9.00 am 77% 3.00 pm 71% Mean annual rainfall (8) Mean temperature (1969-2004) (8) Average change in average seasonal maximum temperature (1970-2007) (9) Drainage: 680.8 km 2 (excluding the lake) 28 km (stretching from Catherine Hill Bay in the south to Glenrock State Conservation Area in the north) 1,230.5 mm Average change in average seasonal rainfall (1948-2007) (9) Drier ~45 mm COMMUNITY SNAPSHOT Maximum: 21.7 C Minimum: 14.6 C Summer Autumn Winter Spring Warmer Warmer Warmer Warmer ~1.25 C ~0.65 C ~0.95 C ~1.55 C Summer Autumn Winter Spring Wetter ~5 mm Estimated Population (10) 200,849 (released 31 March, 2011) Major Town Centres (11) Drier ~48 mm Belmont, Cardiff, Charlestown, Glendale, Morisset, Mount Hutton, Swansea, Toronto, and Warners Bay Wetter ~7 mm Leading industries as a proportion of Healthcare & social assistance -10,045 employed (13.1%) employment (12) Retail trade - 9,813 employed (12.8%) Manufacturing - 8,512 employed (11.1%) Leading occupations as a proportion of Professionals - 13,887 people (18.1%) employment (12) Technicians and Trades - 13,241 people (17.3%) Clerical and Administration - 11,752 people (15.3%)
Figure 1: Lake Macquarie City What is our impact on the world around us? As an individual at home, in your workplace, or as part of your community everything you do affects the world around you. Lake Macquarie City residents are becoming increasingly aware of climate change issues and the underlying causes. With the lake as the city s centrepiece, and the abundance of protected bushland, our community places a great importance on the enhancement and protection of the city s natural assets. Our growing population has led to rapid development of many coastal areas. This poses a number of threats to these sensitive environments and creates distinct and complex challenges for government and the community. What is Council doing? Council strives to become one of the best local governments globally in achieving quadruple bottom line sustainability. This means taking into account the environmental, economic, cultural and governance dimensions of sustainability. Strategies and Plans Lifestyle 2020 (LS 2020), currently under review, presents the challenges facing our city and offers direction until 2020 for land use planning, urban design and development. The Lake Macquarie Community Plan 2008-18 outlines how Council can work with the community to address challenges and identify major priorities over the next 10 years. Council continues to review and implement the Lake Macquarie Local Environment Plan (LMLEP) 2004 and Development Control Plan (DCP) No. 1 to promote a sustainable pattern of land development and ensure improvements to both land use planning and the better integration of environmental, social and economic goals.
Since July 2008, Council has shifted its organisational direction to provide further resourcing for new and existing sustainability initiatives. The ultimate aim is to maximise the wellbeing of Lake Macquarie residents, while reducing the city s environmental footprint in the most cost-effective manner. The Environmental Sustainability Action Plan 2011-2018 adopted 29 July 2011, updates and replaces the Lake Macquarie Environmental Action Plan 2004 with the aim of setting out strategic objectives, actions, community/organisational indicators and departmental responsibilities for the delivery of environmental sustainability outcomes. Adoption of this Action Plan assists Council to deliver on its commitment to a sustainable future by integrating measurable actions across the organisation. The plan enables the organisation to track progress against environmental targets and facilitates updates of operational and business plans. The plan will be updated annually and provides information required for Council s State of the Environment reporting. Policies and Programs Environmental Sustainability Policy Procurement Policy Oil Supply Vulnerability Policy Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets Policy Sea Level Rise Preparedness Adaptation Policy Policy for Managing Contaminated or Potentially Contaminated Land Protection of Watercourses and Drainage Channels Policy Vertebrate Pest Sustainability Advantage Adopted on 22 March 2010, this policy commits Council to continued improvement of our services and environmental performance, and by sharing responsibility for environmental management with all who work for and with Council. Adopted on 13 July 2010, this policy commits Council to ecologically sustainable development through internal sustainable purchasing activities including: the elimination of unnecessary purchases; maximised re-use and recycling of products; minimised waste; the purchase of fewer goods with a negative environmental impact; and the prioritising value for money throughout the entire lifecycle of the product. Adopted on 11 November 2010, this policy builds on Council s Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Targets Policy 2008 and provides the framework to manage risks associated with predicted future shortage of oil and related increase in price. Adopted on 23 June 2008, this policy supersedes the reduction targets documented in the Lake Macquarie Greenhouse Action Plan 2004, with the objective to achieve rigorous emission reduction targets for greenhouse gases at a citywide and Council-operations level. Adopted on 25 August 2008, this policy commits Council to working with its residents to identify and respond to emerging hazards and risks associated with sea level rise. Adopted on 22 February 2010, this policy provides a framework to assist Council, residents and proponents of current and proposed development, to respond positively and proactively to contaminated land based hazards and risks, both past and present. Council is committed to ensuring that the use of contaminated land, or suspected contaminated land, occurs so as to minimise risk to the community and the environment by ensuring compliance with government requirements. Adopted on 9 August 2010, this policy aims to recognise the environmental, social and utility values watercourses and drainage channels provide, particularly where natural characteristics have been maintained and/or reinstated. Further, to protect these values through implementation of best practice management and restoration measures. Adopted on 8 September 2003, with the key policy objectives to: protect native species, particularly threatened species, by reducing vertebrate pest populations; reduce the impact of vertebrate pests on soils and regenerating bushland; reduce the impact of vertebrate pests on Council assets; and minimise the impact of vertebrate pests on health and safety of the community. Council became a member of the Office of Environment and Heritage Sustainability Advantage program in 2009 to identify areas for improvement in resource efficiency and assist mainstreaming of sustainability throughout the organisation. In recognition of demonstrated commitment to sustainability, Council was awarded Silver Partner status for the delivery of tangible and long-term sustainability outcomes.
Community Programs Council is committed to caring for our local environment through neighbourhood, sectoral and citywide community engagement programs. In collaboration with Council, local communities actively plan and implement actions to reduce our city s ecological footprint and participate in community education, monitoring and sustainable business programs. Current programs include: Sustainable Neighbourhoods Program Living Smart Festival NSW Waterwatch in Lake Macquarie Making Connections in Cocked Hat Creek Sustainable Business Project Aware on the Coast Sustainable Schools Program Natural Disaster Awareness and Preparedness Annual Plant Give-away Environmental Research Grants Community Showerhead Exchange Program Environmental Sustainability Grants Energy Efficiency for Residents Ecoadvocate Newsletter Community Ecosystem Monitoring Program What can I do? Local businesses, households and individuals can all play an important role in reducing emissions and our city s environmental footprint. Examples of actions we can take towards sustainability are: Recognising that the world s natural resources are limited, and our consumption patterns, together with the associated pollution and waste, are undermining the environmental resource base on which we rely Actively encouraging our community to accept the increasing need to reduce our emissions and better manage our environment. Attitudinal change is a necessary enabler for governments and businesses to facilitate a systematic and comprehensive approach to environmentally sustainable policies and practices Reducing our dependence on oil and advocating for alternative and ecologically sustainable sources to replace fossil fuels Participating in Council s community engagement programs Assisting nature to increase its resilience to change by planting native trees and plant species, managing weeds, and using appropriate fire management regimes Conserving logs and dead hollow trees in and around your property as habitat for native animals. How can I find out more? Further information on the city, and on local activities within the city, is available from www.lakemac.com.au, http://lakemacquariecity.com.au, and from the following external links: Australian Bureau of Statistics National Regional Profile: Lake Macquarie (c) (Local Government Area) - www.abs.gov.au. NSW Department of Natural Resources - www.dnr.nsw.gov.au. Hunter Valley Research Foundation http://hvrf.com.au/
References: 1 LMCC (2011) Land and Property Management Authority 2011. 2 LMCC (2009) About Lake Macquarie, Lake Macquarie City Council webpage, http://www.lakemac.com.au/page.aspx?pid=99&vid=1, accessed 21 September 2010. 3 OLM&CC (2009) Annual Report 2008-2009 and Final Report of the Lake Macquarie Improvement Project, The Office of the Lake Macquarie & Catchment Co-ordinator. 4 NSW Department of Natural Resources (undated) Estuaries in NSW: Lake Macquarie, http://www.dnr.nsw.gov.au/estuaries/inventory/macquarie.shtml, accessed 21 September 2010. 5 LMCC (2010) Key Facts. A Statistical Guide to the City of Lake Macquarie 2010, Economic Development Department, Lake Macquarie City Council. 6 AWACS (1995) Lake Macquarie Estuary Process Study: Volume 1 Report, a report prepared for Lake Macquarie City Council by Australian Water and Coastal Studies Pty Ltd in conjunction with J.H. & E.S. Laxton Pty Ltd, November 1995. 7 Lake Macquarie City Council (2008) Submission by Lake Macquarie City Council Inquiry into climate change and environmental impacts on Australian coastal communities, Submission to The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts, Submission Number 44, 30 May 2008. 8 Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (2010) Climate statistics for Australian locations, Monthly climate statistics, All years of record, Norah Head Lighthouse AWS 061366, http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_061273.shtml, accessed 22 September 2010. 9 HCCREMS (2009) Climate Profile: Lake Macquarie Local Government Area, an initiative of the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy. 10 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011) 3218.0 - Regional Population Growth Australia 2009-2010, Population Estimates by Government Area 2001-2010, Table 1 Estimated Resident Population, Local Government Areas, New South Wales, Australian Bureau of Statistics, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/detailspage/3218.02009-10, accessed 10 August 2011. 11 Lake Macquarie City Council (2009) Commercial Centre Study 2009, Economic Development Department, Lake Macquarie City Council, 2009, http://www.lakemac.com.au/page.aspx?pid=109&vid=10&fid=2118&ftype=true, accessed 18 October 2010. 12 Lake Macquarie City Council (2010) Key Facts: A Statistical Guide to the City of Lake Macquarie 2010, Lake Macquarie City Council Economic Development Department, 2010. This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.