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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 ..........................................................................
...........................................................................
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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
3 Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan
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.
5 Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan
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
Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan 6
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
7 Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan
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.
Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan 8
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
9 Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan
Beautiful Lake Macquarie
Belmont Wetlands State Park
Green Tree Frog
Habitat in Harmony
Community Garden
Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan 10
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.