LETTER: Halifax to Harwood shared path

DEAR News Of The Area,

I WRITE to share this letter, which I have sent to The Hon Kate Washington MP, State Member for Port Stephens.

Dear Local Member,

I have previously written to you concerning [the Halifax to Harwood shared path] project and its many unanswered issues, which I perceive to be:

• No community consultation – just “information”; and
• No demonstrated need, community support, alternative considerations, safety assessments, usage data, review of environmental factors, or Aboriginal cultural and heritage study.

How was this funded by your Government’s Get NSW Active program, which, as I understand, has guidelines that state a requirement for the above?

The original Port Stephens Council (PSC) funding application, obtained by formal GIPA, stated that community engagement had “not yet” occurred, contradicting its Have Your Say website

A proposed footpath in this area was suspected in 2023 and lodged complaints were uncovered in a council minute notice of 13 February 2024. I am unaware of any response or action to this.

Getting informative answers from Port Stephens Council, Get NSW Active and numerous government departments (including the use of informal and formal GIPAs) has been largely unsuccessful and time-wasting.

Construction has commenced, and a section of concrete laid.

The Foreshore Action Group attempted to have the project deferred but councillors declined to become engaged.

A formal complaint with 130 signatures lodged on 10 August resulted in the deferral of the project on 11 August until November.

The complaint was rejected by Port Stephens Council on 16 September, and notice given that construction would start on 28 September.

I believe that Port Stephens Council’s “Have your say” website is misleading and does not address the above issues with any substance.

An approach to Premier Minns has been deflected to the Minister for Local Government (The Hon Ron Hoenig MP).

Minister Aitcheson is yet to reply, but hopefully will do so by 20 October, since Mr Paul Toole raised this project with her officially recently.

A ”reactive” environmental study was conducted in late August following press enquiry about a Tomaree Donkey Orchid habitat being encroached by this project.

The report of this study is not publicly available to date, and formal GIPA access to it involves further delay.

Since commencing construction 16 days ago, concreting has commenced in part of the project.

This will cause enduring destruction of this environmental and community amenity.

A community survey of over 400 to date shows more than 89 per cent opposition to this project.

Respondents have expressed dismay and expressed detrimental impacts (if not already occurring) on health, activity, amenity, environment, safety, and tourism likely to follow – sadly after decades and generations of visits.

As my elected representative, will you please request that Minister Aitcheson put a temporary hold on the project before further destruction occurs, and while an explanation for the haste, lack of transparency and answers to the above issues are clarified.

Regards,

Rob Yates,

Nelson Bay.