Councillors met with residents across the city at shopping centres in Belmont, Morisset and Edgeworth where they heard concerns and suggestions about lake water quality, traffic and road works, development and keeping our city safe and tidy.

It was a great opportunity to hear from you about ways the council can improve Lake Macquarie.

Thank you to all the residents who stopped by and had a chat.

Councillors will also be out and about at this year's Living Smart Festival this Saturday, September 27, at Speers Point Park.

The festival is always a great event for the city and the theme of this year's festival is food, and how we can sustainably source, cook and savour fresh healthy food.

There will be information about reducing food waste and sustainable cooking from New York Times best-selling author of I Quit Sugar, Sarah Wilson.

You can also join me for the launch of the Bust Your Food Bills Challenge.

There will be clever cooking tips, chef demonstrations, ideas for growing your own food, all partnered with the local farmers markets.

As well as fresh produce, amazing stall holders, eco displays, sustainability experts and plant giveaways, there will also be live entertainment and kids' activities.