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City of Lake Macquarie

Coordinates: 33°02′S 151°38′E / 33.033°S 151.633°E / -33.033; 151.633
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the local government area. For the lake, see Lake Macquarie (New South Wales).

City of Lake Macquarie
Local government area
Lake Macquarie, after which the LGA is named
Location in Greater Newcastle
Official logo of City of Lake Macquarie
Map
Interactive map of City of Lake Macquarie
Coordinates: 33°02′S 151°38′E / 33.033°S 151.633°E / -33.033; 151.633
CountryAustralia
StateNew South Wales
RegionHunter (Greater Newcastle)[1]
Established
  • 16 May 1906 (Shire)
  • 1 January 1977 (Municipality)
  • 7 September 1984 (City)
Council seatSpeers Point
Government
 • MayorAdam Shultz (Labor)
 • State electorates
 • Federal divisions
Area
[10]
 • Total
648 km2 (250 sq mi)
Population
 • Total213,845 (2021 census)[8] (23rd)
 • Density315/km2 (820/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+10 (AEST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+11 (AEDT)
WebsiteCity of Lake Macquarie
LGAs around City of Lake Macquarie
Cessnock Newcastle Newcastle
Cessnock City of Lake Macquarie Tasman Sea
Central Coast Central Coast Tasman Sea

The City of Lake Macquarie, locally known as Lake Mac, is a local government area (LGA) in the Hunter Region in New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the east coast of Australia, strategically located midway on the eastern seaboard between Melbourne and Brisbane. The city is approximately 150 km (93 mi) north of Sydney. At the centre of the city is Australias largest coastal lake, and the city's namesake Lake Macquarie.

It was proclaimed a city on 7 September 1984.

The mayor of the city is Councillor Adam Shultz, a member of the Labor Party.[11]

The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Tobruk was granted the Right of Freedom of Entry to the city on 9 August 1991.[12]

History

[edit]

Aboriginal heritage

[edit]

The Lake Macquarie region forms part of the traditional lands of the Awabakal people, who have lived around the Lake and its catchment for more than 8,000 years. The name Awabakal is commonly interpreted as meaning “people of the calm surface”, a reference to the sheltered waters of Lake Macquarie.

Archaeological evidence of long‑standing occupation is found throughout the area, including shell middens, stone artefacts, and rock art sites located along the Lake’s foreshores, creek lines, and surrounding woodlands. These cultural places reflect the Awabakal people’s reliance on the region’s abundant marine and terrestrial resources, as well as their deep spiritual connection to Country.

European exploration

[edit]

The first recorded European to enter Lake Macquarie was Captain William Reid, who in 1800 sailed his schooner Martha through the Swansea entrance after mistaking it for the mouth of the Hunter River. The error was only realised upon his return to Sydney, and the waterway became known as Reid’s Mistake until it was officially renamed Lake Macquarie in 1826 in honour of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. The southern headland at the lake entrance retains the name Reid’s Mistake.

Reid’s visit generated little immediate interest, and no further European exploration occurred for two decades. Access to the area was limited by difficult terrain, and Newcastle, then known as King’s Town, functioned as an isolated penal settlement, discouraging wider settlement or investigation.

Council beginnings

[edit]

Lake Macquarie was proclaimed a shire on 16 May 1906 following the introduction of the Local Government (Shires) Act 1905 in New South Wales. The shire’s first local government election was held on 24 November 1906, with residents choosing six councillors to represent three ridings, designated “A”, “B” and “C”.

The inaugural meeting of the newly elected Council took place at the Teralba Court House on 8 December 1906. At this meeting, Councillor Sydney Croudace was unanimously elected as the first President of the Shire. His term extended until 1 February 1908, and the Presidential allowance was set at £50 per annum.

The Shire of Lake Macquarie was proclaimed as a municipality on 1 January 1977 and became a city on 7 September 1984.

Council Chambers and Administration Buildings

[edit]

Lake Macquarie Shire Council had its offices in Cardiff from 1906 until 1915.

In 1913, the Lake Macquarie Land Company donated land at the corner of Main Road and Council Street, Speers Point, for the construction of a Council Chamber. A tender for the new Shire Office and Chamber was accepted in June 1914, and the building was first used for a Council meeting on 8 May 1915. It was officially opened the following year, on 6 June 1916.

As the organisation expanded, a new Council Chamber and Shire Office was built in 1955 on Main Road, Speers Point, opposite the original site. The building was officially opened on 5 November 1955 by the Minister for Public Works and Local Government, J. B. Renshaw.

Further growth led to the development of a modern administration complex in the late 1970s. Stage I of the new Administration Building was opened by the Premier of New South Wales, Neville Wran, on 12 August 1977, with Stage II opened on 31 August 1979. The completed facility, costing approximately $4.5 million, remains the core of Council’s administration today.[13] In 2020 approximately 4458 square metres of workspace across three levels of the building were reconfigured and upgraded to a modern fit-out.[14]

In November 2024 fire severely damaged a large part of Lake Macquarie City Council’s Administrative Centre The fire caused extensive heat and smoke damage, with insurance estimates to repair the damage reaching $41 million, prompting the building’s closure, temporary offices were set up at the former Ausgrid building in Wallsend.[15][16]

Suburbs / Town Centres

[edit]

Lake Macquarie is home to 92 suburbs including nine Town Centre's scattered around the city. The Town centres include Belmont, Cardiff, Charlestown, Glendale, Morisset, Mount Hutton, Swansea, Toronto and Warners Bay. Some suburbs sit within both Lake Macquarie City and City of Newcastle's boundaries.

The suburbs in the city are split into three wards – East, North and West.[17]

Recreation

[edit]

Beaches

[edit]

Lake Macquarie has approximately 32km of open ocean coastline extending along the Tasman Sea with Dudley, Redhead, Nine Mile, Blacksmiths, Hams, Caves, Pinny, Middle Camp, Catherine Hill Bay, Moonie and Ghosties beaches sitting on its length. Council lifeguards patrol Blacksmiths, Catherine Hill Bay, Caves Beach and Redhead beaches annually from the September/October school holidays through to April.[22]

Speers Point Park

[edit]

The park was officially opened on 22 May 1888 and on 15 October 1910 it was transferred to the Lake Macquarie Shire Council. Speers Point Park is the city's premier recreation space featuring open space, shared pathways, a paved promenade, a fenced dog exercise area and the all-abilities Lake Macquarie Variety Playground that opened in 2008.

Swimming

[edit]

There are 4 Council operated pools Charlestown, Swansea, Speers Point and West Wallsend and two contractor pools, Toronto and Morisset. There are open water baths at Belmont[23] and Toronto[24] as well as Grannies Pool a sheltered, shallow tidal pool in Blacksmiths.[25]

Arts and culture

[edit]

Lake Macquarie has a number of cultural and artistic locations:[26]

  • The Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, yapang (MAC), formerly known as Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, was established in 1980. The gallery was initially housed in the former Lake Macquarie council chambers on Main Road, Speers Point, before relocating to First Street, Booragul, in 1996. From 1996 to 2000 the gallery operated from Awaba House on the Booragul site. A decision was then made to construct a purpose‑built facility, designed by Colin Still of Cox Richardson. The new state‑of‑the‑art building opened in May 2001, with an art seminar room added in 2008.
  • Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, a one-of-a-kind cultural destination, designed as a dynamic and adaptable space for national and international contemporary art installations, digital art screenings, immersive audio experiences, live theatre, music, and more.
  • Dobell House - Sir William Dobell's home and studio professionally managed by the Sir William Dobell Memorial Association since 1971. The home is preserved to a high standard in acccordance with the National Standards for Museums.
  • South Sea Islands Museum was established in 1966 adjacent to Ellen White’s home Sunnyside in Cooranbong. It contains a collection of artifacts that have been gathered from the cultures and societies of the South Pacific Division and donated for permanent display.
  • Rathmines Heritage Centre hosts a range of exhibitions focused on the history of Rathmines RAAF base and the wider story of Lake Mac during World War II.
  • Rathmines Theatre hosts performances and productions such as live music, theatre, dance, community events and festivals with a capacity for up to 200 people.
  • The Warners Bay Theatre is a 300-capacity theatre available for professional and amateur musical, theatre, dance, and cultural groups to host and perform quality stage productions.

State-listed heritage items and precincts

[edit]

Lake Macquarie has seven listings on the State Heritage Register:

  • Catherine Hill Bay Cultural Precinct
  • Dobell House
  • Glenrock early coalmining sites
  • Morisset Hospital Precinct
  • Rathmines Park (former RAAF Seaplane Base)
  • Wangi Power Station Complex
  • WWII RAAF Radar Station 208 (former)

Freeman of the City

[edit]

The Freeman of the City recognises individuals for their outstanding achievements and dedicated service to the community over their lifetime. [27]

March 1985 Prof Cyril Renwick AO
July 1986 Mr Harold Keith Cumming
July 1987 Mr Albert George (Alby) Burgin
December 1987 Mr Reginald Lenaghan OAM
November 1991 Dr Roland Edward Robinson OAM
August 1999 Mr Paul William Harragon
July 2008 Mrs Ellen Kilpatrick
July 2008 Mr Donald Telfer Caldwell
July 2021 Mrs Mercia Buck OAM
May 2024 Dr David Durrheim AM

Education

[edit]

Libraries

[edit]

The city has 11 libraries at Belmont, Cameron Park, Cardiff, Charlestown, Morisset, Redhead, Speers Point, Swansea, Toronto, Wangi Wangi and Windale.

Sister cities

[edit]

The City of Lake Macquarie has sister city relations with the following cities:[28]

Demographics

[edit]
Lake Macquarie suburbs (2021)
Charlestown 13,601
Cameron Park 9,977
Warners Bay 8,237
Belmont 7,289
Cooranbong 7,077
Eleebana 6,460
Edgeworth 6,401

The city consists of 92 connected suburbs that surround a coastal saltwater lake, ranging from small rural style communities through to high density areas.

At the 2021 census, there were 213,845 people in the Lake Macquarie local government area, of these 48.8% were male and 51.2% were female. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 5.5% of the population, which was higher than the national and state averages. The median age of people in the City of Lake Macquarie was 42 years. Children aged 0–14 years made up 18.1% of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 22% of the population. Of people in the area aged 15 years and over, 47.7% were married and 13.2% were either divorced or separated.[30]

At the 2021 census, the proportion of residents in the Lake Macquarie local government area who stated their ancestry as Australian was 42.7%. In excess of 58% of all residents in the City of Lake Macquarie nominated a religious affiliation with Christianity at the 2011 census, which was slightly higher than the national average of 50.2%. Meanwhile, as at the census date, compared to the national average, households in the Lake Macquarie local government area had a significantly lower than average proportion (5.4%) where two or more languages are spoken (national average was 20.4%); and a significantly higher proportion (93.0%) where English only was spoken at home (national average was 76.8%).[30]

Lake Macquarie at Croudace Bay
Selected historical census data for Lake Macquarie local government area
Census year 2001[31] 2006[32] 2011[30] 2016[33] 2021[8]
Population Estimated residents on Census night 177,185 183,138 189,006 197,371 213,845
LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales Steady 4th Steady 4th Decrease 13th
% of New South Wales population 2.73% Decrease 2.64% Increase 2.65%
% of Australian population 0.94% Decrease 0.92% Decrease 0.88% Decrease 0.84% Steady 0.84%
Cultural and language diversity
Ancestry,
top responses 		Australian 33.7% Decrease 32.0% Increase 42.7%
English 32.2% Decrease 31.9% Increase 43.9%
Scottish 8.2% Increase 8.6% Increase 11.8%
Irish 7.7% Increase 8.3% Increase 10.9%
German 3.0% Increase 3.1%
Language,
top responses
(other than English) 		Italian 0.3% Steady 0.3% Steady 0.3% Decrease 0.2%
Macedonian 0.3% Steady 0.3% Steady 0.3% Steady 0.3% Decrease 0.2%
Mandarin 0.3% Steady 0.3%
Italian 0.3% Decrease 0.2%
German 0.3% Steady 0.3% Steady 0.3% Decrease 0.2% Steady 0.2%
Cantonese n/c Increase 0.2% Steady 0.2%
Spanish n/c n/c Increase 0.2% Steady 0.2% Steady 0.2%
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation,
top responses 		No Religion 12.5% Increase 15.5% Increase 19.7% Increase 28.9% Increase 42.0%
Anglican 29.1% Decrease 27.6% Decrease 26.2% Decrease 21.3% Decrease 15.7%
Catholic 23.0% Decrease 22.9% Decrease 22.8% Decrease 20.8% Decrease 18.0%
Uniting Church 10.0% Decrease 8.8% Decrease 5.8% Increase 5.9% Decrease 4.1%
Presbyterian and Reformed 4.4% Decrease 4.0% Decrease 3.6%
Median weekly incomes
Personal income Median weekly personal income A$394 A$520 A$609 A$759
% of Australian median income 84.5% 90.1% Increase 92% Increase 94.3%
Family income Median weekly family income A$922 A$1,396 A$1,610 A$2,050
% of Australian median income 89.8% 94.3% Increase 92.8% Increase 96.7%
Household income Median weekly household income A$1,102 A$1,177 A$1,313 A$1,623
% of Australian median income 94.1% 90.5% Increase 91.3% Increase 93.0%

Economics

[edit]

Lake Macquarie has a significant coal mining industry and smaller agriculture and manufacturing industries. Eraring power station, a 1980s-era coal-fired power station, supplies 25% of New South Wales' power.[34] Lake Macquarie has a number of Constructed Wetlands with the council placing an emphasis on the environment.

Council

[edit]
See also: List of mayors of Lake Macquarie
Speers Point, which is shown in relation to Newcastle, is the seat of government for the city of Lake Macquarie.

Current composition and election method

[edit]

Lake Macquarie City Council is composed of thirteen councillors, including the mayor, for a fixed four-year term of office. The mayor is directly elected while the twelve other Councillors are elected proportionally as three separate wards, each electing four Councillors. The most recent election was held on 14 September 2024, and the makeup of the council, including the mayor, is as follows:

Party Councillors
  Labor 6
  Liberal 3
  Lake Mac Independents 3
  Independent 1
Total 13

The current Council, elected in 2024, in order of election by ward, is:

Ward Councillor Party Notes
Mayor   Adam Shultz Labor
East Ward   Christine Buckley Labor
  Matt Schultz Liberal
Stacey Radcliffe Labor
  Michael Hannah Lake Mac Independents
North Ward   Colin Grigg Lake Mac Independents
  Jack Antcliff Liberal
  Brian Adamthwaite Labor
  Keara Conroy Labor
West Ward   Kate Warner Lake Mac Independents
  Madeline Bishop Labor
  Jason Pauling Liberal
  Anthony Swinsburg Independent

Election results

[edit]

2024

[edit]
This section is an excerpt from 2024 Lake Macquarie City Council election § Ward results.[edit]
2024 Lake Macquarie City Council election: Ward results
Party Votes % Swing Seats Change
  Labor 46,239 35.2 −4.0 5 Decrease 1
  Liberal 30,363 23.1 −2.6 3 Steady
  Lake Mac Independents 28,530 21.7 +2.3 3 Steady
  Greens 13,257 10.1 +0.3 0 Steady
  Independents 7,221 5.5 +1.9 1 Increase 1
  Community First Inds 2,942 2.2 0 Steady
  Our Local Community 2,819 2.1 0 Steady
 Formal votes 131,371 92.8
 Informal votes 10,133 7.2
 Total 141,504 100.0 12
 Registered voters / turnout 166,305 85.1

2021

[edit]
This section is an excerpt from Results of the 2021 New South Wales local elections in Hunter § Lake Macquarie.[edit]
2021 New South Wales local elections: Lake Macquarie[35]
Party Votes % Swing Seats Change
  Labor 50,340 39.2 6 Increase 1
  Liberal 33,078 25.7 3 Steady
  Lake Mac Independents 24,922 19.4 3 Steady
  Greens 12,571 9.8 0 Steady
  Independent 4,661 3.6 0 Steady
  Shooters, Fishers, Farmers 29,80 2.3 0 Steady
 Formal votes 128,552

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Shared with Central Coast Council
  2. ^ a b c d Shared with City of Newcastle

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Suburb Search – Local Council Boundaries – Hunter (HT) – Lake Macquarie City Council". New South Wales Division of Local Government. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  2. ^ "Swansea Electoral District". New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Lake Macquarie Electoral District". New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Charlestown Electoral District". New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Cessnock Electoral District". New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Wallsend Electoral District". New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  7. ^ "Shortland". Australian Electoral Commission. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  8. ^ a b "2021 Lake Macquarie, Census All persons QuickStats". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  9. ^ "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017–18". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019. Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2018.
  10. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "2011 Community Profiles: Lake Macquarie (Local Government Area)". 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Retrieved 10 September 2012. Edit this at Wikidata
  11. ^ "Lake Macquarie City Council Results (2016)". Lake Macquarie City Council. 19 September 2016. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  12. ^ Piper, Greg (April 2010). "Legend of ANZAC". p. 6. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  13. ^ "Our history". www.lakemac.com.au. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  14. ^ "Lake council to save on reno costs with staff working from home". www.newcastleherald.com.au. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  15. ^ "Temporary accommodation secured for Council staff". www.lakemac.com.au. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  16. ^ "Lake Macquarie council headquarters find temporary home in Newcastle". www.newcastleherald.com.au. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  17. ^ "Updated Ward Boundaries". Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  18. ^ Shared with North Ward
  19. ^ Shared with North Ward
  20. ^ Shared with East Ward
  21. ^ Shared with East Ward
  22. ^ "Patrolled beaches". www.lakemac.com.au. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  23. ^ "Belmont Baths | NSW Holidays & Accommodation, Things to Do, Attractions and Events". www.visitnsw.com. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  24. ^ "Toronto Baths | NSW Holidays & Accommodation, Things to Do, Attractions and Events". www.visitnsw.com. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  25. ^ "Grannies Pool". www.visitlakemac.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  26. ^ "Arts and Culture – Lake Macquarie NSW Accommodation & Holiday Rentals – tourist visitor information & guide, accommodation bookings, attractions, activities, NSW maps & much more". Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  27. ^ "Freeman of the City recipients". www.lakemac.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  28. ^ "Sister Cities". Lake Macquarie City Council. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  29. ^ "Round Rock, Texas Political Structure". Round Rock City Council. Archived from the original on 13 August 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  30. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Lake Macquarie (C) (Local Government Area)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 September 2012. Edit this at Wikidata
  31. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). "Lake Macquarie (C)". 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 17 December 2012. Edit this at Wikidata
  32. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Lake Macquarie (C)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  33. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Lake Macquarie (C)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 November 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  34. ^ "Eraring Power Station". Hunter New England Area Health Service. 2005. Archived from the original on 13 November 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2008.
  35. ^ "City of Lake Macquarie". ABC News.
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