newy.com.au – Port Stephens Council has voted to revise the footprint of its proposed Salamander Bay Town Centre development so it sits outside the mapped Mambo-Wanda Wetland Buffer Zone.
The decision follows community concern about the potential impact of development near the Mambo-Wanda Conservation Wetlands, despite the council’s Salamander Bay Place Plan being unanimously endorsed last year after engagement with more than 1200 residents and stakeholder groups.
That plan identified future development opportunities on council-owned land for commercial, housing and medical uses, subject to a development application process. Part of the proposal, known as 155 Salamander Way, had drawn scrutiny from the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group, which organised a community forum to discuss the issue.
Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson said she attended the forum with East Ward councillors and senior staff to listen to residents and better understand their concerns.
“We heard the community’s strong views about the sensitivities of developing adjacent to the Mambo-Wanda Conservation Wetlands and, in particular, concerns about developing on part of the last remaining buffer zone,” Mayor Anderson said.
“While the planning framework allows development within wetland buffer areas and environmental studies indicate that most of this land is suitable for development, we’ve listened to the community.
“Last night, my fellow Councillors supported my recommendation to revise the development footprint of the mapped wetland buffer zone in part of the proposed development known as 155 Salamander Way before lodging a Development Application.”
Mayor Anderson said the revised footprint could still allow for more diverse housing for key workers close to jobs, shops and public transport in the Salamander Bay Town Centre, given the building heights permitted on the site.
“This decision shows how much we value our community’s feedback and our commitment to balancing responsible development while protecting our wetlands for future generations,” she said.
Council will meet with the Mambo Wetland Conservation Group and other stakeholder groups in coming weeks to discuss the revised footprint. A report is expected to go to council in August outlining how the development could deliver the same amount and range of diverse and affordable housing on the revised site, taking into account the full building heights permitted under relevant state planning instruments.
The council also intends to direct a proportion of proceeds from future developments to enhancing the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands and updating the Mambo-Wanda Conservation Wetlands Plan of Management.
