Port Stephens Council has taken further steps to balance future housing needs with long-term environmental protection for Council-owned land at Homestead Street, Salamander Bay.
At its 26 May meeting, Council unanimously endorsed Mayor Anderson’s additional resolution to create an environmental reserve fund from future sale proceeds should a development application be approved.
Council also unanimously endorsed a rezoning application to support future planning for housing delivery and environmental protection. The site includes three lots known as 22 and 30 Homestead Street and part of 1 Diemars Road, Salamander Bay.
Council’s approval means seven percent of the land (1.29 ha) will be rezoned for residential development and 93 percent (16.3 ha) will be rezoned environmental purposes.
Comprehensive assessments and early community engagement helped shaped the rezoning of this valuable community asset.
The development will also follow a Koala-friendly urban design based on the successful Koala Beach community at Pottsville, NSW.
This would include additional koala food trees, fencing restrictions, lower vehicle speeds, koala signage and a ban on cats and dogs in the estate to protect local wildlife.
The Koala Tree licence, adjacent to the proposed residential development, would also remain in place to support the area’s native wildlife and Koala conservation efforts.
The Port Stephens Koala and Wildlife Preservation Society, which is responsible for the planting of koala feed, would continue to operate on the land.
These decisions signal Council’s ongoing commitment to balance the local housing supply pressure and protection of the precious natural environment simultaneously.
The environmental reserve fund would support conservation efforts on the site and other natural areas across Port Stephens.
Council is currently engaging independent experts for a range of assessments and reports ahead of proceeding to a planning proposal later this year.
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