Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action · PDF fileBelmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action...

A Community Action Plan developed by the Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Group with the support of Lake Macquarie City Council

Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan

Contribute to your neighbourhood

Learn about your local area Get to know local people

1 Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan

Contents2 Background

3 AboutBelmont

5 LocalAssetsandValues

6 OurVision

Actions

7 ConnectingOur Community

8 KeepingBelmont Beautiful

9 OurEnvironment

10 SafeandSustainable Transport

Contact

BelmontSustainableNeighbourhoodGroup0249210117

www.sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au

Acknowledgements

PreparedbytheBelmontSustainableNeighbourhoodGroupinconsultationwiththeBelmontcommunity,andwithsupportfromLakeMacquarieCityCouncil.

ThankyoutotheBelmontcommunityforsharingtheirideasandtothecommittedresidentsandstakeholdersthathavetakenthisplantotheirpeersforinspirationandfeedback.

July2012

“The future is not a place we are going, it is a place we are creating””

John Schaar

Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan 2

Background LakeMacquarieCityCounciliscommittedtocaringforourcommunityandenvironment.CouncilfacilitatestheSustainableNeighbourhoodProgramtosupportLakeMacquariecommunitiestodeveloptheirownactionplantoprotecttheirnaturalenvironment,reducetheirecologicalfootprintandincreaseneighbourhoodwellbeing.Theprogramconnectsindividualsandgroupsinanareaandempowersthemtoworktogetheronprojectsintheirneighbourhood.Todate,thereareseventeenSustainableNeighbourhoodGroupsinLakeMacquarie.

CouncilspokewithvariousstakeholdersfromBelmontaboutestablishingaSustainableNeighbourhoodGroupanddevelopingalocalactionplan.BelmontPublicSchool,BelmontHigh,BelmontRotary,theNeighbourhoodCentre,andtheChamberofCommercethenhelpedtocoordinatetheinitialBelmontSustainableNeighbourhoodCommunityWorkshop.

ThiswasthefirstofaseriesofcommunityengagementactivitiesconductedinBelmonttoseekabroadpictureofthevalues,attitudes,andconcernsofBelmontresidentsandstakeholders.TheinformationcollectedhasformedthebasisofthisBelmontSustainableNeighbourhoodActionPlan.

Duringthistime,theBelmontSustainableNeighbourhoodGroupformedandhasbeenworkingonsomeoftheiridentifiedactions.

Sept 2010 –IntroductoryBelmontSustainableNeighbourhood CommunityWorkshop

– Monthlycommunitymeetingscommence

– Belmontneighbourhoodsurvey

2011 – BelmontSustainableNeighbourhood ActionPlanningmeeting

– Ongoingmonthlymeetings

– NeighbourhoodengagementatBunnings, FernleighTrack,StLuke’sFete,Native PlantGiveawayandLivingSmartFestival

– Localprojectmeetings aroundpriorityprojects

– Studentsurvey BelmontHighSchool

2012 – CleanUpAustraliaDayEvent

– ConsultationonDraft SustainableNeighbourhoodActionPlan

– Communitysurveyonlocalprojects

– LaunchofBelmontSustainable NeighbourhoodActionPlan

Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Workshop

Living Smart Festival 2011

Clean Up Australia Day 2012

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Return a

completed survey by

Friday 10 December

2010 for a chance to

WIN

Belmont - Community Research 2010

Belmont - Community Research 2010

We are conducting this survey in your neighbourhood to learn how residents

of Belmont value and perceive their local environment, community, and

sustainability issues. The results of this survey will help us understand what is

important to the Belmont community, and guide future sustainability activities in your neighbourhood.

Please complete this survey on behalf of your household if you:

• havelivedinLakeMacquarieCityformorethansixmonths,

• areover18yearsold;and

• areoneofthekeydecisionmakersinyourhousehold.

Thesurveywilltakeapproximately15minutes.Yourresponseto

thissurveywillremainanonymous.

Localresidents,togetherwithBelmontPublicandBelmontHighSchool,busine

ssandcommunitygroupshave

alreadystartedworkingtogetherontheBelmontSustainableNeighb

ourhoodsProject.Pleaseshareyourideasonh

ow

to create a better Belmont.

RETURN YOUR SURVEY AND THE COMPETITION ENTRY FORM

for your chance to win prizes supplied by Belmont businesses.

Name ..........................................................................

..........................................................................

............................

Phonenumber .................................................. Email ..................................

..............................................................

Address ..........................................................................

...........................................................................

.......................

PleasekeepmeinformedaboutneighbourhoodprojectsinBelmont: Yes No

1st Prize

2nd Prize

3rd Prize

To be eligible, please place the completed survey and entry form in the attached reply paid envelope

and post it back to Council by Friday 10 December 2010.Nopostagestampisrequired.Alternatively,

leaveyoursurveyandentryforminacollectionboxloc

atedatBelmontCitiCentre,ortheBelmontPublic

Schooloffice.

$150 worth of vouchers:

$50voucher

$50voucher

$50voucher

$50 voucher to

Belmont Citi Centre

and

Belmont Neighbourhood Survey 2010


A Sustainable BelmontBelmonthasalongandrichhistoryandwewanttoensureithasalongandrichfuture.Thisplanoutlinesavisionforthefutureofourneighbourhood.ItfocusesonwhatthepeopleofBelmontvalue,andidentifiesadepthofskillsandassetswithinourcommunitythatcanmakeithappen.

Itbringstogethertheprojectideascollectedfromthecommunityintoaplanofaction.Theplanaimstoenhanceourlocalsustainability,notonlyinenvironmentalterms,butbybuildingahappierandmoreconnectedresilientcommunity.

Thisplanwillhelpourcommunitytoworktogetherandgathersupportfromstakeholderstotakeactiononthingsthatmattermostinourneighbourhood.

About Belmont and its PeopleBelmont,traditionallandoftheAwabakalpeople,isacoastalsuburbofLakeMacquarieintheHunterRegionofNewSouthWales,Australia.

TheestablishmentofBahtabahMissionin1825markedthefirstEuropeansettlementinthearea.Thegrowthoftimber,miningandfishingindustries,andrailandferrytransportlinks,sawthetowngrowasaregionalcentre.Belmontisnowhometoalmost6,500residentsandover400businesses,andisavitalresidential,commercial,education,sportingandmedicalhubutilisedbymuchofLakeMacquarie.ComparedtoothersuburbsinLakeMacquarie,Belmonthasahigherthanaverageelderlypopulation,oneperson/oneparenthouseholds,andpeopleinrentedaccommodation.

Belmontissetinanidylliclocation,nestledbetweenLakeMacquarieandtheSouthPacificOcean.BelmonthoststhelargestgroupofwetlandsandoneofthemostsignificantcoastalenvironmentsintheCity.Thewetlands,extending15kmalongthecoastandcoveringanareaof1,730hectares,includessitesofsignificantaboriginallegend,importantfishbreedingsitesandmanyoftheCity’sthreatenedandendangeredfloraandfaunaspecies.ThisareaisincreasinglybeingutilisedbythecommunitysincetheextensionoftheFernleighTrackthroughtoBelmontin2011.

The Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Group TheBelmontSustainableNeighbourhoodGroupismadeupofresidentsandstakeholderswholoveBelmontandwanttoworktogethertoseeitthriveintothefuture.

Thegroupmeetsmonthlytoplanandworkonourprojects,reviewourprogress,andtostayontopoflocalemergingopportunities.Bybeinginvolved,ourmembersexperienceopportunitiestodevelopnewskillsandknowledge,andlearnmoreabouttheirarea.

Thegroupwarmlyinvitesnewpeopletoparticipate,tosharetheirideasandskills,andhelpimplementlocalprojectsoverthecomingyears.


““Belmont is rich in bothnatural and built assets”


Our Wealth of Local AssetsBelmontisrichinnatural,builtandcommunityassets.Byfocusingonwhatwehaveandconnectingtheseresources,wecanachievemoretogetherthanispossiblealone.Pleasecontactustotellusaboutlocalassetsnotlistedhere.

Belmont Neighbourhood Asset Map

What We Most Value

1. Our beautiful location

near to the lake, beach

and bushland3. Our friendly community

2. Our close proximity to local services and shops

Our Vision for a Sustainable BelmontFourkeythemesemergedfromengagementwiththepeopleofBelmont


1. Connecting the Community“Wewanttoretaintheneighbourly

feelofBelmontandencourage

moresocialopportunitiesforthe

community,particularlyouryouth”

4. Sustainable Transport“WewanttocreatesaferandmoresustainabletransportoptionsinBelmont”

Cycling on theFernleigh Track

2. Keeping Belmont Beautiful“WewanttokeepBelmontcleanandgraffitifree,andencourageprideinourarea”

3. Our Environment

“Wewanttolookafterour

beautifulnaturalenvironment

andconserveourresources

bylivingsustainably”

Clean Up Australia Day

Belmont South

Local threatened fauna Powerful Owl

Outdoor fun at

Belmont Jetty


1. Connecting Our CommunityActions Outcomes

Improve community sense of safety and curb anti-social behaviour

1.1 LobbyformorepoliceinBelmont Reducedincidenceofantisocialbehaviourinpublicplacesthroughpolicepresence

1.2 PromoteyouthmentoringbymakinglinkageswithlocalgroupssuchastheBelmontMen’sShed

Positiverolemodelsandpracticalskillsestablished

Support more family friendly events and activities for youth

1.3 Supportmorefamilyfriendlyeventsandactivitiesforyouth

Positiveskillbuildingandinteractionforyouth

1.4 Undertakeayouthsurveyorforum InformationonwhatisimportanttoyouthinBelmont.Informationonwhatfacilities,activitiesandservicesaresought

1.5 LobbyandsupportinitiativestoincreaserecreationfacilitiesinBelmontegskatepark

Morelocalrecreationalopportunitiesforyouth

1.6 Organiseanoutdoorcinemaevent Positiveexperienceandinteractionforlocalfamilies

Better utilise local facilities and open spaces

1.7 SupporttheBelmontLibrarycommunitygroupandthewidespreaduseofthisfacility

IncreasedpatronageoftheBelmontLibrary

Make connections between Belmont community, business and our schools

1.8 Encouragestudentparticipationinlocalsustainabilityprojects

Handsonsustainabilityeducationforyouth

1.9 Organiseferryridestocoincidewithcommunityevents

Positiveexperienceandinteractionforlocalfamilies

1.10 SupportandparticipateinlocalcommunityandsportingeventsegAcrosstheLakeswim,AnzacDayParade

Increasedawareness,supportandcommunityinvolvementinBelmontSustainableNeighbourhoodGroupprojects

Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Workshop

Playground at

Belmont Foreshore

Volunteers at St Luke’s Community Garden

Belmont Backyard Gardening Workshop

Thesearethecommunity’sprojectideasforeachtheme.TheorangerowshighlightthetoptenprojectideasprioritisedbytheBelmontcommunity.Pleaseletusknowifyouareworkingonsomethingsimilar,orwishtogetinvolved.


2. Keeping Belmont BeautifulActions Outcomes

Reduce litter and waste

2.1 Holdcleanupeventstoreducelitterandillegaldumping

Cleanerenvironment,increasedcommunityprideandownershipofarea

2.2 Lobbyformorebinsandfreedoggybagsalongtheforeshorearea

Cleanerforeshoreenvironment

2.3 RunaplasticbagfreecampaignintheBelmontbusinesscentre

Lesswastetolandfill,lesslitter

2.4 Hostascreeningofthe‘BagIt’,amovieaboutplasticwasteandmarinedebris

Cleanerenvironment,increasedawarenessofmarinepollution,lesslitter

Reduce graffiti

2.5 IdentifygraffitihotspotsandpromotereportingofgraffititotheGraffitiHotline

Communitypartnershipstoreducetheincidenceofgraffiti

Increase civic pride

2.6 EncourageplantingofappropriatenativeplantsalongBelmontstreets

IncreasedamenityandnativehabitatinBelmontstreetscape

2.7 Organisea‘lookafteryourstreet’campaigntoimprovestreetamenity

Cleanerenvironment,increasedcommunityprideandownershipofarea,strongerneighbourhoodlinks

Shaping the suburb

2.8 Encourageecotourismtakinginbeach,wetlandsandlake

Increasedawareness,careandfinancialinvestmentintolocalenvironmentalassets.Increasedlocalbusinessopportunities

2.9 ProvidefeedbackduringCouncil’slocaldevelopmentplanningreviews,seekingtoensuremutli-storydevelopmentdoesnotdetractfromBelmont’svillageatmosphere,lakeaccessandviews

Increasedcommunityinputintolocalplanningdecisions.Developmentsensitivetolocalcommunityvalues

Clean Up Australia Day Volunteers

Belmont Town Centre

Belmont Wharf

Belmont South Foreshore

3. Our EnvironmentActions Outcomes

Protect and enhance our lake, beaches and waterways

3.1 LobbyCounciltoenhancetheforeshoreareatoencourageincreasedcommunityuse

Improvedaccess,recreation,naturalenvironmentandamenityatBelmontforeshore

3.2 FosterparticipationinlocalLandcaregroups

Increasedlevelofvolunteerismandon-groundoutcomesinlocalenvironment

Increase community awareness and care of the Lake Macquarie Coastal Wetlands

3.3 ReduceillegaldumpingalongOceanParkRoad,BelmontSouth

Improvedamenity,safetyandenvironmentaloutcomes

3.4 Rehabilitateandprotectdegradedcoastalandbushlandareasegworkingbeesandplantingdays

Ecosystemenhancementthroughexpandedareasofnativevegetation,communityownershipandprideinplace,increasedcommunityawareness

3.5 SupportbikeandwalkingtoursoftheFernleighTrackandBelmontWetlands

Increasedawarenessandappreciationoflocalenvironment

3.6 EncouragethedevelopmentofeducationalsignageaboutthewetlandsatkeypointsalongtheFernleighTrack

Increasedawarenessoflocalecosystemsandnaturalassets

Promote sustainable living in Belmont

3.7 Promotethelocalcommunitygardensandopportunitiestogetinvolved

Increasedparticipationinlocalcommunitygardensandhomegardening

3.8 Promotehomeenergyandwateraudits

ReducedconsumptionofwaterandenergyinBelmonthomes

3.9 Hostworkshopsonsustainableliving

Increasedcommunityawareness,capacity,andadoptionofsustainablelivingpractices


Beautiful Lake Macquarie

Belmont Wetlands State Park

Green Tree Frog

Habitat in Harmony

Community Garden


4. Safe and Sustainable TransportActions Outcomes

Improve pedestrian and bike safety in Belmont, particularly around schools

4.1 Identifyproblemschoolcrossingsandplanforimprovementsindangerareas

Improvedsafetyforstudentsto/fromschool

4.2 Encouragea‘walkingbus’and‘bikebus’programatlocalschools

Reduceduseofcars,neighbourconnections,healthbenefits

4.3 Lobbytoextendthe50km/hrzonealongthefrontoftheHighSchooltoWommaraAve

Improvedsafetyforstudentsto/fromschool

Enhance open space connections around Belmont and to the Fernleigh Track

4.4 MapoutlocalcycleroutesthroughBelmonttomovelocalsandvisitorssafelytokeypointsofinterest

Increasedsafetyforriderscommutingaroundandto/fromBelmont,reduceddependenceoncars

4.5 WorkwithpartnerstoinstallalocalBelmontinformationmapattheendoftheFernleighTrack

IncreaseduseofBelmont’slocalservices,facilitiesandnaturalareasbyFernleighTrackusers

4.6 EstablishaBBQandpicnicareaattheBelmontendoftheFernleighTrack

Increasedrecreationopportunitiesforlocalsandvisitors,improvedcycling

4.7 LobbyforadditionalconnectingspurtracksbetweenBelmontandtheFernleighTrack(priortotheTrack’scurrentendpoint)

IncreasedaccesspointstotheTrackinBelmontresultinginincreasedusebycyclistsandpedestrians

Increase cycling to and around Belmont

4.8 IdentifynewareasforbikeracksaroundBelmont

ConvenientbikeparkingandincreasedbikeusageinBelmont

4.9 Restoreoldbikesforthoseinneed

Moreaffordableaccesstobikes,increasenumberofbikesusedlocally,reducedwaste

4.10 Conductbikesafetyandmaintenanceworkshops

IncreasedconfidenceofBelmontresidentsandstudentstomaintainandridetheirbikesmoreregularly

4.11 InvolvementinLakeMacquarieCityCouncil’sCyclingStategyreview

BelmontcyclingissuesareconsideredintheCityCyclingStrategy

Belmont Town Centre

Fernleigh Track Belmont to Jewells

Macquarie St Belmont

Fernleigh Track Belmont Station

Contact UsBelmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Group(02)49210117www.sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au

Get involved! You can get involved in the Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Group in a variety of ways.

Monthly meetingsTheBelmontSustainableNeighbourhoodGroupmeetsthesecondWednesdayofeachmonth.Attheseinformalmeetingsmembersworktogethertoplanlocalprojectsanddiscusslocalemergingissuesandopportunitiesinthearea.Contactusfordetailsofournextmeeting.

Local projects AreyoupassionateaboutaparticularissueorareaofBelmont?Lendahandontheprojectsimportanttoyou.

Join the email listStayintouchwithwhatishappeningbyjoiningthelocalemailnetwork.

Sharing skills and hobbies Shareyourpassionortalentforagoodcause.Doyouwalkregularly,runalocalbusiness,orareyougoodwithwordsordesktoppublishing?Letusknow.Wealwayswelcomevolunteerswillingtohelpwithcomponentsofourlocalprojects.

Are you an ideas person? ShowyoursupportforthegroupandtheirvisionbysendingamessageorsharingyourownideasforBelmont.

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