Lake Macquarie's western corridor, stretching from Morisset in the south to Cameron Park in the north, remains a big target for development.
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Much of the city's eastern corridor was developed decades ago, but large areas of the west had remained free from development until more recent times.
The more than $1 billion worth of developments approved in Lake Macquarie in the past financial year show the city is considered an attractive investment prospect.
With the largest population among Hunter council areas, Lake Macquarie had long been somewhat of a sleeping giant.
Lake Macquarie City Council has become famous - in some cases infamous - for the focus it puts on the environment.
When it comes to development, it's been good for the region to have a council that goes further than most to ensure the environment is protected as much as possible.
It's possible that this emphasis on the environment at least partly stems from the shocking pollution that Lake Macquarie has endured for many decades.
The legacy of the Boolaroo lead and zinc smelter means pollution - including lead and slag - remains in the ground and lake in many areas of the city, a shocking indictment on human ignorance.
The coal-fired power stations at Eraring and Vales Point are known for keeping the lights on, but they're also known for the pollution they emit into the air and waterways.
The ash dams that contain the waste from burnt coal at these plants are alarming examples of coal power's flaws.
A report titled, Unearthing Australia's Toxic Coal Ash Legacy, has called for a parliamentary inquiry into the ash dams, amid concern they are a "ticking time bomb".
This matter was brought into sharp focus with the recent closure of Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre over the risk of Eraring's ash dam collapsing.
That aside, Lake Macquarie's past and present pollution has not prevented most people from finding it a good place to live.
It undoubtedly has many good qualities. Many natural areas are accessible to the community at the beach, lake and bush.
Those in power in Lake Macquarie seem committed to the area retaining a good balance between development and the environment. As such, they should not turn a blind eye to the future of the ash dams.
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