GOOD decisions start with listening. At Council, we want to create more opportunities for our community to help shape the decisions that affect everyday life.
Our community is growing, and we’ve been working to unlock more diverse and affordable housing options at 155 Salamander Way, along with commercial space for more local businesses.
While working on this development opportunity, we’ve heard loud and clear that our local community also wants better roads, pathways and drainage and, importantly, protection of the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands.
That feedback helped shape a revised development footprint. After hearing from residents and meeting with the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group, my fellow Councillors and I unanimously endorsed a smaller development footprint, reduced from 2.25 hectares to 1.36 hectares.
The revised footprint sits outside the Mambo Wetlands and its current buffer zone, while the protected environmental land has increased by 66 per cent.
The smaller footprint can still provide the same number of housing options, including shop-top and more affordable housing, by using permitted building heights. It also retains the potential for commercial space. This is what meaningful community input can achieve.
The future sale proceeds will go towards enhancing the Mambo-Wanda Wetlands, including updating its Conservation Wetlands Plan of Management to support the long-term protection of the area’s environmental and cultural heritage. Proceeds would also support local infrastructure, such as road and intersection upgrades and new pathways.
There is more work ahead, including further assessments before a subdivision application is lodged. We’ll continue to keep the community informed and welcome our community’s views as plans progress.
This is a great outcome for both Council and the community and an excellent example of how community feedback can influence the decision we make.
By listening and working together, we can balance housing and infrastructure needs with the protection of our natural environment in Salamander Bay.
To stay informed about opportunities to have your say, register your interest at haveyoursay.portstephens.nsw.gov.au.
By Port Stephens Mayor Leah ANDERSON
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