We prepared a traffic and transport assessment which considers:

• the existing capacity and operation of the local road network
• impacts of the proposed development on the surrounding road network
• public transport, and walking and cycling connections, to help reduce car dependency
• alternative street designs in some locations, which could promote slower vehicle speeds through reduced roadways, with increased street plantings through wider verges, and provision of safe walking and cycling connections through shared pathways
• parking rates for the area.

The proposal keeps a bushland buffer along the eastern boundary of the development, which would enable Toronto Road to be widened in the future, if needed. It also includes two access points to better manage traffic travelling to and from the site, plus walking and cycling tracks.

Landcom is planning a new neighbourhood with new homes, parks, pathways and shared spaces at Fennell Bay. The updated masterplan builds on earlier community feedback from 2020 and reflects changes made in response to what we heard, as well as further technical studies.

The project site is located at Fennell Bay, north of the existing suburb and west of Woodrising, on the western side of Lake Macquarie.

Figure 1: Fennel Bay project site

• ongoing housing supply pressures in Lake Macquarie and the Hunter region.
• the need for a greater mix of housing types, including affordable housing.
• state and local planning objectives to support well‑located residential growth

• new residential dwellings
• public open space
• community facilities
• walking and cycling connections
• long‑term protection and management of bushland areas

This project has taken time to progress due to Council rezoning and changes to the required Biodiversity Assessment Method. This is the third masterplan for this site, and we understand there may be some scepticism. This version has been shaped by previous community consultation and further technical studies.

• more bushland protected: Over 70 per cent of the site will become a permanent Biodiversity Stewardship site, conserved into the future
• fewer homes: Reduced from more than 600 to around 380 dwellings
• planning for traffic: Land has been set aside for future Toronto Road upgrades, led by Transport for NSW, and modelling shows the development itself is not expected to significantly impact congestion.

Biodiversity has been a key driver of the project’s design. More than 70% of the site is proposed to be conserved as a biodiversity stewardship area. The development footprint has been reduced to avoid sensitive bushland and waterways, with long‑term management proposed to protect these areas over time.

It means most of the site is proposed to be permanently protected as bushland and cannot be developed in the future. These areas are intended to be managed for conservation over the long term. This is one of the biggest differences between the current masterplan and earlier versions of the masterplan.

We heard the feedback about traffic on Toronto Road in 2020. Our revised traffic shows the development adds only minor traffic impacts. The real fix is Transport for NSW upgrading Toronto Road – we’ve set aside land in the masterplan to enable that.

Once Landcom has obtained all approvals required for the development, construction will be managed through detailed planning and construction approvals. This will include consideration of matters such as construction traffic management, hours of work, noise, dust and how nearby residents are kept informed. More detail will be provided before construction begins.

Feedback from this stage will help Landcom understand what matters most to the community what is important in the neighbourhoods look and feel. It will also be summarised in a public consultation outcomes report so the community can see the key themes raised during consultation and how feedback is being addressed to finalise the plan.

• the look and feel — walking trails, playgrounds, public spaces, street trees and character
• sustainability features — ideas to support a more resilient, future-ready community.

Environmental and planning requirements have already helped shape key elements of the project, so some aspects are not open to feedback:

•       the approximate number of dwellings that can be delivered on the site

•       key layout and planning parameters needed to support biodiversity, bushfire and servicing requirements

•       the location and extent of areas set aside for permanent conservation

•       the statutory planning, environmental assessment and future approval processes.

We are finalising the masterplan and seeking informal community input to help shape how the neighbourhood will look and fee. After lodging the Planning Proposal and State Significant Development Application with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, we will invite the community to provide feedback during formal public exhibition, expected in October 2026.

• refining the proposed masterplan in response to community feedback and technical studies.
• progressing the masterplan through formal planning and environmental approval pathways.
• public exhibition, when the community will be able to review the masterplan and make formal submissions.

You can still provide feedback online via the project webpage or by contacting the project team.

• visit: Fennell Bay | Landcom
• call: 1800 066 243

You can provide feedback up until Tuesday 16 June 2026