"IF we can't build out, we have to build up," says Port Stephens councillor Mark Watson about a planned "compromise" for the development of an expanded Salamander Bay housing, medical, and commercial centre.
The council has been heavily criticised by residents who oppose the development's encroachment on the Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Area buffer zone.
Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson said at this week's meeting (June 23) she had received hundreds of emails from residents against the development, as well as tonnes of social media posts, some of which were "nasty".
In a press release issued on Wednesday, (June 24) Cr Anderson said she had attended a community forum with East Ward Councillors and senior staff to listen and better understand the community concerns.
"We heard the community's strong views about the sensitivities of developing adjacent to the Mambo-Wanda Conservation Wetlands and, in particular, concerns about developing on part of the last remaining buffer zone," Cr Anderson said.
While the planning framework allowed development within wetland buffer areas and environmental studies indicated that most of this land was suitable for development, the council had listened to the community, she said.
"It's possible for this revised footprint to still create more diverse housing for key workers close to jobs, shops and public transport in the Salamander Bay Town Centre, given the building heights permitted on the site," Cr Anderson said.
The council plans to meet with the Mambo Wetlands Conservation Group and other stakeholders in the coming weeks to discuss the revised footprint.
Cr Anderson said a report would be presented to the council in August showing how the proposed development could deliver the same amount and range of diverse and affordable housing on the revised footprint, considering the full building heights permitted by relevant state planning instruments.
Kathy Brown, the secretary of Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group, said it was a step in the right direction.
"We are at the first step of having another look at the project," Ms Brown said.
"There's only 30 per cent of the buffer zone left because there were housing estates built in there. The mayor said that had been important for her to hear."
At the council's meeting on Tuesday night ( June 23), Cr Roz Armstrong said she would be approaching the development with caution until all documents lodged with the development application had been reviewed.
Cr Watson said that there was still a target to deliver what the council had planned, to unlock funding to upgrade the town centre, including intersections, footpaths, roads, bus shelters, and "the things that the community had been asking for".
"So if we can't build out we have to build up, within that area outside of the buffer zone," Cr Watson said.
