2026 Community Connections Forum

Council is developing new ways to engage with the community, creating more opportunities for people to connect, share ideas and be involved in local decision-making.

These forums provide a structured opportunity for residents to connect directly with the Mayor, Councillors, and senior staff and are designed to respond to the community’s request for greater voice and connection with decision-makers.

The Community Connections program for 2026 has now concluded. We are working on developing a forum calendar for 2027 and will promote here when determined. 

Community Connections Forums are your chance to:

  • Hear directly from the Mayor and Councillors about local priorities and projects
  • Ask questions and raise issues that matter in your community
  • Share ideas and feedback that inform Council decisions
  • Build trust through two-way dialogue with decision-makers.

Who can attend?

Community Connections Forums are open to everyone in the local area - whether you live, work, or volunteer here.

  • Residents and ratepayers
  • Community groups and local organisations
  • Local businesses
  • Young people, seniors, and anyone who wants to have their voice heard.

We welcome all members of the community to come along, ask questions, and share ideas.

Questions

  • You can submit a question in advance when you register, or ask questions on the day
  • If a question can’t be answered during the session, we’ll follow up afterwards.

Key themes from the Laurieton Community Connections Forum

Growth, development, and infrastructure

  • Managing the expected growth of around 2,000 people and 800 homes across the next 10 yrs within the Camden Haven, including where new homes are expected and whether current developments are included in these figures.
  • The impact of population growth on roads, parking, wastewater, shopping centres, and other community infrastructure.
  • Planning for the increase in people during holiday periods and whether this extra demand is considered when planning infrastructure.
  • Making sure new housing is supported by the roads, services, facilities, and amenities the community needs.
  • How the Living in Place Strategy and Local Housing Delivery Plan will help guide future housing.

Wastewater and environmental infrastructure

  • Capacity of the Camden Haven wastewater system to support future population growth and increased demand during holiday periods.
  • Wastewater capacity in Dunbogan and how much of the region’s wastewater generation comes from the Camden Haven.
  • Managing odour and nutrient levels linked to the ocean outfall near Lewis Rocks.
  • Options for managing the ocean outfall in the short and long term, including extending it further offshore and replacing or upgrading existing infrastructure.
  • The timing, cost and approvals needed for future ocean outfall works, including whether the project would be considered State significant.

Parking, traffic and boat access

  • Parking availability in North Haven, particularly on weekends and during busy periods.
  • Longer-term planning for parking through the Parking Management Strategy and Laurieton/North Haven precinct planning.
  • Parking and road access at Pilot Beach, including congestion on the road leading to the beach during busy periods, particularly holidays and summer.
  • Using parking data to better understand demand and identify busy seasonal areas.
  • Whether existing boat parking areas, including Osler Car Park, could help manage demand.
  • The need to consider parking, boat access, and future land use together as the Camden Haven population and number of visitors increases.

Walking, cycling and shared pathways

  • Strong support for developing a connected pathway network across the Camden Haven, including Beach-to-Beach (B2B), Schools-to-Schools (S2S) and Creek-to-Creek (C2C).
  • Progressing the remaining sections of the Beach-to-Beach pathway, with design work ready to support future grant applications.
  • Progress on Schools-to-Schools design work and the partnership with utility projects along the corridor.
  • Opportunities for additional funding through grants and other sources.
  • Opportunities for community and volunteer groups to help with pathway projects where appropriate.
  • Making it easier for community groups to get involved while meeting safety, insurance, and other requirements.

Community facilities, parks, and recreation

  • Support for maintaining and improving local community facilities and public spaces across the Camden Haven.
  • Play equipment request that caters for older children at Pilot Beach and other local play spaces.
  • Dunbogan play equipment insurance works are scheduled to commence on 6 October.
  • Challenges with maintenance of local jetties.
  • Maintenance of the School of Arts, including guttering and the need to appropriately maintain the heritage-listed building.
  • Ongoing maintenance and improvements to community facilities as the population and number of visitors increase.

Town presentation, heritage, and maintenance

  • Discussion on the condition and presentation of Bold Street, including footpath cleaning, rubbish, cigarette litter and outdated bins.
  • Improved bin facilities, including lids and suitable cigarette-butt disposal options.
  • The important role local volunteers play in looking after public areas.
  • Timely responses to local maintenance issues, including roads, vegetation, public spaces, and community facilities.

Strategic planning, funding, and delivery

  • How Council’s plans and priorities will lead to visible projects and improvements in local communities.
  • Funding opportunities for local projects, including grants, rates, loans, and other sources of funding.
  • Strong support for progressing the Beach-to-Beach project, with design work ready to support future funding applications.
  • Funding and delivery of Camden Haven lookout works, including clarification of the scope of Stages 1–4, the cost to obtain approvals for progression of plans, and the anticipated cost of construction works.
  • Opportunities to strengthen partnerships between Council, community organisations, and volunteers to help deliver local priorities.

Roads, safety and access

  • Road safety around Houston Mitchell Drive, including the left-hand turn towards Forest Parkway and the need for clearer signs and better visibility.
  • Attention to the roundabout and surrounding landscaping and planting on Ocean Drive.
  • Increasing development at the end of Forest Parkway and reliance on a single access point.
  • Bushfire and emergency access where there are limited access points.
  • Dirt bikes and motorbikes in the area Forrest Parkway area, including impacts on children cycling and local wildlife.
  • How access and safety issues are being considered as part of the development and planning process.

Lake Cathie – parking, roads, and community infrastructure

  • Increasing parking demand around Lake Cathie, including roadside parking and the impact of increased visitors during busy periods.
  • Recent vegetation slashing has created additional opportunities for parking.
  • Future parking and infrastructure need as residential development continues.
  • Pedestrian movement and safety around the Lake Cathie shops and park, including the need for improved lighting.
  • The timing of supporting infrastructure and shopping facilities alongside new residential development.
  • Potholes around Middle Rock Road and Johnathon Dixon Park.
  • Making sure infrastructure planning keeps pace with housing growth and changing community needs.

Community connection and communication

  • Positive feedback that community engagement and connection with Council has improved over the past 12–24 months.
  • Continuing Community Connections Forums across the LGA and providing a clear schedule of future forums.
  • Ongoing opportunities for residents, community groups, and volunteers to raise local issues directly with Councillors and senior Council staff.
  • Clearer information about Council plans, projects, funding, and timeframes following matters raised through the forums.
  • The value of two-way conversations that allow Council to provide updates while hearing directly from the community.

Key themes from the Comboyne Community Connections Forum

Roads, transport and road safety

  • Strong support for the completion of Lorne Road Stage 2, recognising its importance for local connectivity, trade, logistics and tourism
  • Ongoing concerns about road maintenance, including unsealed roads, grading schedules, roadside vegetation and speed management
  • Requests for improved road markings, signage and visibility at locations such as the cemetery intersection
  • Interest in clearer communication about road maintenance activities, schedules and changes.

Walking, accessibility and public amenities

  • Improved pedestrian safety and accessibility was identified as a priority, particularly for older residents and young families
  • Requests for improved footpaths and pedestrian connections, including along Comboyne Street and through the village
  • Community interest in additional public toilet facilities and improved access to existing amenities
  • Consideration of practical safety improvements, including pedestrian crossings and visibility at key locations.

Community facilities and recreation

  • Support for improved access to Andrews Park, including seasonal arrangements that better accommodate local sporting groups
  • Requests for upgrades to sporting facilities and equipment, including the scoreboard, PA system and drainage
  • Improved coordination and communication between sporting groups regarding bookings, field closures and facility use
  • Interest in ensuring community facilities continue to meet local needs and support participation.

Planning and essential infrastructure

  • Interest in ensuring local planning considers essential infrastructure needs, including water storage and electricity reliability
  • Questions about the roles and responsibilities of Council and State Government in addressing local infrastructure issues
  • Support for contemporary planning controls and processes that respond to changing community needs
  • Interest in opportunities for Council to work with service providers and the community on local infrastructure solutions.

Community resilience and local priorities

  • Interest in exploring options for a village backup power supply and strengthening local emergency preparedness
  • Support for community organisations and volunteer groups that contribute to local resilience
  • Interest in community-owned assets and practical initiatives that strengthen local capacity
  • Opportunities for Council to promote grants and other support available to community groups.

Communication, customer service and advocacy

  • Requests for clearer and more timely communication about Council services, road maintenance, projects, funding and community impacts
  • Feedback highlighted the importance of responsive customer service and effective communication channels
  • Interest in transparent information about Council’s financial management, including future rate considerations, fees and charges
  • Strong support for Council to continue advocating for external funding and investment in locally important infrastructure, particularly Lorne Road Stage 2.

Cemetery and land management

  • Concerns were raised about the Comboyne Cemetery boundary and potential impacts of neighbouring land use on cemetery land and headstones
  • Community members sought clarity about Council’s role in managing the cemetery boundary and addressing the issue
  • Cemetery access and visibility were also raised as considerations for local road safety.

Key themes from the Wauchope Community Connections Forum

Infrastructure and transport

  • Concerns regarding the planned closure of Beechwood Road during Steels Bridge replacement, particularly traffic impacts, alternative route suitability and road conditions
  • Requests for improved pedestrian safety and ongoing road, drainage and maintenance works
  • Desire for better active transport connections

Facilities and open spaces

  • Strong community support for maintenance of local facilities such as Wauchope Stadium, Arts Hall and Bain Park
  • Interest in timely repairs to the Arts Hall following fire damage
  • Concerns regarding affordability of facility hire and the need for upgrades to amenities, particularly toilets at Bain Park

Town presentation and maintenance

  • Perception that overall town maintenance requires improvement, including streets, parks and public spaces
  • Specific issues raised included street sweeping, verge upkeep, tree pruning, drainage, footpaths and public furniture maintenance

Community use of Council facilities

  • Interest in access to, and future use of, Council-owned buildings (e.g. former Scout Hall, Community Garden)
  • Support for transparent processes, with Expressions of Interest welcomed

Governance, grants and customer service

  • Requests for clearer information on Council grant processes, particularly co-contribution requirements
  • Concerns about customer service wait times and desire for improved responsiveness
  • Questions regarding compliance with legislative requirements, with reassurance sought and provided

Social and community safety

  • Ongoing concerns regarding crime, domestic and family violence, antisocial behaviour, homelessness, youth engagement and mental health
  • Recognition of the need for collaborative responses involving Council, Police and State agencies
  • Support for more youth-focused initiatives

Rural and environmental matters

  • Concerns from rural landowners regarding vegetation management, subdivision controls and agricultural viability
  • Interest in future land use planning and opportunities for recycled waste use in agriculture.

Water

  • Mixed views regarding water fluoridation, with community concerns noted alongside Council’s confirmation of compliance with health standards