Have your say on proposed road reserve sales

PORT Stephens Council is inviting local residents to share their views on the proposed closure and sale of 11 road reserves to help fund road repairs and upgrades.

The plan includes road reserves at the end of Morna Point Road, Anna Bay; on Kingsley Drive, Boat Harbour; on Meredith Avenue, Lemon Tree Passage; on Ocean Beach Road, Shoal Bay; on Fisherman’s Bay Road, Anna Bay; off Six Mile Road, Eagleton; on Wahgunyah Road, Nelson Bay; on Soldiers Point Road, Salamander Bay; on Morna Point Road, Anna Bay; Rocky Point Road, Fingal Bay; and on Wahroonga Street, Raymond Terrace.

“Selling surplus road reserves is one way we can raise additional funds to repair and improve our roads and faster achieve our record investment of $29 million,” Mayor Leah Anderson said.

“Before we make any decisions, we want to hear from the Port Stephens community.”

Council says community feedback will be “carefully considered” before a decision is made whether to formally close the road reserves.

A formal resolution from Council is required to sell these roads at market value, which is determined by an independent valuer.

Mayor Anderson said any funds raised from the sale of road reserves would be spent on local road repairs and upgrades.

“If we sell a road reserve, the law requires us to use that money only for roads,” Mayor Anderson said.

“This is about long-term improvements, not just patching potholes.

“Every dollar raised will go back into making our road network safer and more reliable across Port Stephens,” she added.

Soldiers Point resident Cherylle Stone said she “objects strenuously” to the plan.

“It is obvious to all that as soon as the road reserves are closed, their use will be amended, they will be put on the market and the land will no longer be available for community use or for other purposes,” she said.

“Those road reserves host mature native trees and other vegetation which is crucial to absorbing carbon and providing habitat for native animals.

“That vegetation will be destroyed by purchasers to make way for dwellings.”

Cherylle said most of the reserves are accessed by community members for recreation.

“This especially applies to the reserve on Soldiers Point Road,” she said.

“Many nearby elderly residents use the space to gain access to Wanda Beach and/or just to sit and watch the world go by.

“If that block is sold, some of those residents will not be able to walk the additional distance to the next reserve.”

Cherylle said the potential development of waterfront land is irresponsible “in light of climate change and consequent rising sea levels”.

“Any additional housing on the foreshore, which is vulnerable, will eventually need to be protected from coastal erosion, probably at Council expense,” she said.

“Some blocks now act as buffer zones between bushfire hazards and residential properties.

“The loss of that vacant space means that all nearby residences will be more vulnerable to increasing frequency of wild fire as a result of climate change.”

Community members are encouraged to share their feedback in writing to the Council by Sunday 24 August 2025.

To have your say visit pscouncil.info/RoadsAccelerationProgram.