THE Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group (MWWCG) will host a community forum to inform local residents about the potential impacts of Port Stephens Council’s Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan.
Greens spokesperson for environment and planning Sue Higginson MLC will speak at the event, joined by wetland scientist Dr Tom Headley and architect Murray Wood.
Conservationists have been vocal in their opposition to the Place Plan in recent months, claiming a proposal for residential development poses unacceptable risks to the 175-hectare Mambo Wanda Wetlands.
They hold concerns that some of the southern area of the wetlands, near Tomaree Library and Salamander Way, is at risk from plans for multi-storey apartment blocks.
Organisers will update the community on current plans and progress, and explore alternate ideas for housing delivery in the area.
“Mambo Wetlands is the missing link between Ramsar listed wetlands to our north at Myall and to our south around Kooragang,” said MWWCG secretary Kathy Brown.
“It is one of the few wetlands in an urban setting and so faces enormous pressure on its health and regenerative abilities.
“The Forum on 21 March has been organised so that the community can be fully informed about the consequences of the housing proposal put forward by Port Stephens Council.
“Council will soon publish a ‘Concept DA’ on their housing proposal and the public may have only two weeks to respond.
“The community needs to know more about this threat to the Wetlands.”
The forum will be held at the Tomaree Library on Saturday 21 March from 2pm. The event is free but attendees are requested to register at https://events.humanitix.com/do-we-need-housing-on-mambo-wetlands.
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