The toilet block on the northern side of the lake will be demolished and a new toilet block and pathways built thanks to $222,696 from the state government’s Stronger Country Communities funding.

The money has been granted to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to undertake the work.

Development application approval is needed before work can start on the toilet block and pathways.

Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said the lake was a very well utilised space, particularly during the summer months.

“If we want return visitors, we need to provide them with good facilities,” she said.

She said the existing toilet block was always clean but the facilities needed to be closer to where people were on the foreshore itself.

The new toilet block is a feature of the Lake Cathie Foreshore Reserve Master Plan, which was subject to extensive community input. 

The state government has also provided $360,000 from the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program to a Lake Cathie drainage project.

The project involves new stormwater infrastructure, called a pit and pipe system, to direct stormwater from the northern end of Illaroo Road into the lake.

The existing stormwater outlets discharge onto the beach and contribute to erosion.

They are not the sole cause of the coastal erosion.

Mrs Williams said the drainage project would provide a permanent solution to the erosion caused by stormwater run-off.

Mayor Peta Pinson said the council, which would deliver the work, had listened to the community.

“Lake Cathie is one of the fastest growing regions in the local government area,” she said.

“Not only is it where people love to live but where people love to visit.”

Malcolm McDonald, speaking on behalf of Illaroo Road residents, said they saw the stormwater project as a positive.

He said they were very grateful for the state government funding and the council’s assistance.

Lake Cathie Progress Association president Vern Warner said it was great to see the state government funding rolling through.

He said the new amenities block would bring great benefit to the whole community.

Mr Warner also welcomed the stormwater project.

He said the stormwater discharging from Illaroo Road eroded the beach away faster.

The stormwater project was identified in the Lake Cathie Coastal Zone Management Plan process.

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