LETTER: Port Stephens Mayor’s deciding vote to fell koala feed tree a ‘deep disappointment’

DEAR News Of The Area,

I REFER to your front-page article: ‘Finding Clues to help protect koalas’ (Port Stephens NOTA, 8/10/2026).

I am writing to express my deep disappointment regarding a decision made by the Port Stephens Council meeting on 25 August.

I originally voted for Mayor Leah Anderson because of her strong environmental platform and commitment to protecting flora and fauna.

Ironically, while she has recently been promoting the ‘Koala Tree Guide’, she cast the deciding vote in a 5–4 split to approve the removal of a magnificent Blackbutt tree at 23 Soldiers Point Road, Soldiers Point.

“True wildlife conservation starts in our own backyards, so we’re empowering residents to build on their knowledge of our natural environment with the use of the Koala Tree Guide,” Mayor Anderson is quoted as saying on the Port Stephens Council website.

“Our local koala population is really important to Council and our community – with every little bit of awareness and action helping locals to support koalas to flourish in Port Stephens,” Mayor Anderson added.

The Guide records Blackbutt trees (at page 48) as a “secondary feed tree” in Port Stephens.

I believe the decision to clear a mature koala feed tree for development, with no alternative design considered, directly contradicts the environmental values she promised to uphold.

Regards,

Ian Woodward,

Soldiers Point.