CONCEPT plans for Tomaree Lodge were shared with around 200 community members during a public information session on Wednesday 27 August.
Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington, said the turnout reflected “how much love there is for the site” and the need to “honour, open up and keep Tomaree Lodge secured in public hands”.
Situated on the western foreshore of the Tomaree Headland, within Tomaree National Park, it is a former WWII military camp that later served as a residential centre for people with disabilities until 2021.
The land is on Worimi Country and the site is state heritage-listed.
Elder Uncle Neville Lilley expressed the need to protect the stories founded in its earth and the sea, while President of the Tomaree Headland Heritage Group Peter Clough called this period in the Lodge’s history “a new beginning”.
He said the iconic and historic site had captured the imagination of the Port Stephens community.
“Especially because there are so few sites on the east coast of Australia that have such natural beauty and historic significance.”
A few men shared their frustration with the process but left the meeting before Justin Hamilton of Schreiber Hamilton Architect Collective (SHAC) presented a detailed overview of seven “connection concepts”.
These mirror many community-nominated ideas and cover the key themes of recreation, respite, access, culture, entertainment, celebration, ceremony and history.
The plans show the buildings and spaces that are viable and how a balance between people, planning, processes and placemaking can be thoughtfully, inclusively, and purposefully curated.
Referencing it as a “place of rainbows”, due to how the saltwater splashing against the rocks creates colourful arcs and arches, Mr Hamilton, a Fullerton Cove local, said he and his team were taking an “unrushed and… big picture approach” to planning.
Immediate initiatives were unveiled to improve safety at the site, including maintenance and repair of the heritage-listed retaining walls, wayfaring improvements, increased signage and the restoration of essential services.
“I was able to secure $4.6 million in the budget this year so we can start to implement some of the immediate opportunities, while we continue to land the longer term vision,” Ms Washington said.
SHAC is working closely with community and government stakeholders to incorporate and acknowledge all views.
The initial information session was designed to allow the community to “hear, absorb, think and feed back” on these options.
A copy of the preliminary concepts document is available on the Department of Communities and Justice website or at the recently renovated site office at Tomaree Lodge.
More information sessions are planned ahead of the formation and release of a Master Plan.
By Jacie WHITFIELD
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