CONSERVATIONISTS continue to express concerns over the impact of future housing development outlined in the draft Salamander Bay Place Plan on the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands.
Port Stephens Council’s report on the Salamander Bay Place Plan, which responds to previously raised concerns, is set to be discussed at council’s 25 November meeting.
The Place Plan provides a framework to “grow and improve” the Salamander Bay town centre, with a focus on increasing housing supply and improving infrastructure to meet population demands.
In his report ahead of the meeting, Council’s Strategy and Environment Section Manager, Brock Lamont, has recommended the Place Plan be adopted, with a number of amendments in response to community consultation.
The Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group (MWWCG) holds concerns that some of the southern area of the wetlands, near Tomaree Library and Salamander Way, are at risk from plans for multi-storey apartment blocks.
“We support Council’s efforts to develop housing here in Port Stephens,” said group president Irene Jones.
“However, we don’t believe pockets of Mambo Wetlands should be sacrificed for this purpose.”
Irene says the potential environmental risks of development near wetlands are significant.
“There are the physical risks of sea inundation and building on acid sulphate soils, not to mention that Council’s own mapping and signs indicate that this area is a koala corridor and an endangered wetland.
“Mambo Wetlands provide a buffer against extreme weather events that have affected the surrounding Salamander Bay area in the past.
“At the very least Council should be exercising the Precautionary Principle which requires decision-makers to take precautionary measures in situations with scientific uncertainty to avoid potential environmental harm, a core element in environmental protection strategies worldwide.”
Lying to the west of the Salamander Bay town centre, the wetlands cover approximately 175 hectares.
Home to a diverse range of native flora and fauna, the area holds immense cultural significance for the Worimi people.
Mr Lamont’s report notes that the Place Plan does not include land within the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands.
“The Place Plan provides a high-level concept plan for the future of the town centre, and notes that future development is subject to further investigation and assessment,” he said in the report.
“Detailed studies will need to be undertaken as part of any future development application to understand the environmental impacts of a future proposal.
“Biodiversity and drainage impacts are legally required as part of a future development application process.”
The wetlands land is zoned C2 Environmental Conservation and is owned by Port Stephens Council.
As the landholder, Council is responsible for its management.
To support this work, Council has stated it will invest some of the proceeds from the sale of Council-owned land in the Town Centre into the conservation and ongoing management of the Wetlands.
“Much of the land proposed for development is located within the Coastal Wetlands Proximity Area under the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) (Resilience & Hazards) 2021, and future development applications need to demonstrate that development will not significantly impact on the biophysical, hydrological or ecological integrity of the adjacent coastal wetland, or the quantity and quality of surface and ground water flows to and from the adjacent coastal wetland,” Council said in a response to submissions.
The Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group is urging community members to contact their local MP and local councillors if they hold concerns, before the report is presented to Council on 25 November.
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