The former football oval at Jessie Rd, Anna Bay (at the Port Stephens Drive and Nelson Bay Road roundabout) is Council owned, zoned 6(a) recreation and classified as community land – it is currently used by a pony club, but otherwise derelict, although the frontage to the roundabout is used for informal ‘vehicle sales’, car pool parking and bus interchange.  Council is proposing to apply to the State Government to re-classify the site as ‘operational’, which would allow for a greater range of uses, and presumably increase its sale value.  Depending on the nature of any development proposal, a re-zoning may also be required.

TRRA thinks that Council should keep the options open for community uses of this key site, such as a visitor information centre and/or transport interchange.  We e-mailed Councillors to this effect prior to their consideration of the proposal at the 13 March committee meeting, but they decided to proceed with the application. We will keep an eye on this issue as we don’t want to see yet another asset sale for a quick financial return, without proper regard for the long term community interest.