Battle over Mambo-Wanda buffer zone intensifies

PORT Stephens Council has defended proposed changes to the Salamander Bay Town Centre, insisting strong environmental protections remain in place, while community groups argue the plans threaten one of the area’s most important environmental buffers.

In a statement released recently, Council said proposals affecting land at 155 Salamander Way and 10 Central Avenue had been significantly revised following recommendations from the Joint Regional Planning Panel’s assessment of the original 2009 application.

Council said the current proposal for 155 Salamander Way had substantially reduced its development footprint and would not impact high environmental value land, endangered ecological communities or preferred koala habitat.

“Council is aware that some of the current proposals are in the last remaining buffer zone and will continue to explore these sensitivities as the proposals progress,” the statement said.

Council also highlighted extensive consultation undertaken over the past 12 months with businesses, residents and community groups, including EcoNetwork Port Stephens and the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group.

However, environmental advocates dispute Council’s characterisation of the consultation process.

An EcoNetwork spokesperson said consultation had been inadequate and had left many residents confused about the intent of the Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan.

“Consultation involves a two-way process where you listen to the community and find compromise.

We can see no compromise to date,” the spokesperson said.

EcoNetwork claims community engagement materials focused heavily on shopping centre upgrades, recreational spaces and low-rise housing, while proposed development within the wetlands buffer zone received less attention.

The group argues that more than 70 per cent of the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands buffer has already been developed and that further encroachment would reduce the remaining buffer to around 10 per cent.

“The flood-prone buffer is important for many environmental attributes, from a linking koala corridor to protecting the internal wetlands from human impact by slowing runoff, trapping sediments and removing contaminants,” the spokesperson said.

“At a time when the impacts of climate change are becoming all too apparent, it would be prudent for all land managers to ensure increased buffer zone protection of valuable environmental assets – not less,” the spokesperson said.

The Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group has also questioned the transparency of the consultation process, claiming community submissions opposing the proposal were not publicly released.

The group maintains alternative housing solutions exist that would provide additional dwellings without impacting the wetlands buffer.

Development applications for the sites have not yet been lodged.

Council says the community will have further opportunities to review technical studies and provide feedback once formal applications are submitted.