Tonight Council endorsed to revise the footprint of its proposed development at Salamander Bay Town Centre to be outside the mapped Mambo-Wanda Wetland Buffer Zone.
Last year, following extensive community engagement, Council unanimously endorsed the Salamander Bay Place Plan, identifying future development opportunities on Council owned land for commercial, housing, and medical uses, subject to a development application process.
Despite extensive engagement with more than 1,200 community members and other key stakeholder groups when developing the Place Plan, the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group has raised concerns about potential impacts on the Mambo-Wanda Conservation Wetlands and organised a community forum to discuss the proposal.
Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson said she attended the community forum with East Ward Councillors and senior staff to listen and better understand the community 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.
“It’s possible for this revised footprint to still create 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,” Mayor Anderson added.
Council will meet with the Mambo Wetland Conservation Group and other stakeholder groups in the coming weeks to discuss the revised footprint.
In August, a report will be presented to Council showing how the proposed development can deliver the same amount and range of diverse and affordable housing on the revised footprint, considering the full building heights permitted by relevant state planning instruments.
Council intends to contribute a proportion of the future developments’ proceeds to the enhancement of the Mambo Wanda Wetlands and an update to the Mambo-Wanda Conservation Wetlands Plan of Management.
