Archives: 2019
Click on link above, latest posts are first, click on the Arrows or Page Numbers at the bottom of the page for more
Proposed Mobile phone Base Station
9 Church St, Nelson Bay – submissions due by 18 November to:
This image provided by Optus shows the proposed ‘shroud’ or box enclosing the mobile phone equipment to be built on top of the lift shaft of the existing apartment building at 9 Church St.
TRRA has been informed by Optus that due to the low number of submissions their planned erection of the tower will go ahead as published.
Mobile phone infrastructure is governed by federal Telecommunications laws and is effectively exempt from State Planning law. Optus (who will be sharing this facility with Vodafone) do not need approval – they only have to advertise the proposal (Examiner 31 October p39), publish information including a consultation plan (www.rfnsa.com.au/2315007) and accept comments (by 18 November[i] to emmal@commplan.com.au) and publish a report on submissions. They don’t have to take any notice of objections but say they are willing to consider suggestions.
TRRA only found out about the proposal from the Examiner notice, and attended the information session on 4 November. There are three issues:
- the need for a new base station
- the location
- the design
Need: We have no basis to challenge their assertion that a new facility is required to fill significant gaps in coverage in the town centre.
Location: The consultation plan details the other locations they considered – inc. 2 sites at Golf Club and 1 at Landmark – all rejected for combination of less ideal technically and/or couldn’t reach terms with owners. We will be suggesting they investigate other alternatives including the Council reserve at the corner of Church and Stockton Sts.
Design: The visual intrusion of a 5 metre ‘box’ on top of the apartment building at 9 Church St (see image above) is a major issue. The image demonstrates intrusion on the wooded backdrop to the Nelson Bay CBD, as seen from the Church St/Government Rd junction. Views may differ on whether boxing it in looks worse than ‘naked’ masts and cells.
The proposed structure would reach 23.6 metres above ground level – 5m above the top of the lift shaft, which at 18.6m already exceeds the current height limit for the site of 15m by 24%. Council’s proposed new height limit is 28m, and it has already approved a 32m 8 storey apartment building at 11-13 Church St (the site of the crane in the image).
Have your say – to emmal@commplan.com.au by 18 November.
The website and letter say 11 November but Optus have confirmed the Examiner notice deadline of 18 November for comments.
DAs for seniors living project at former Colonial Ridge Resort in Fleet Street withdrawn.
State government agrees to buy back Mambo Wetlands for $420,000
Click Here for The Mambo Wetlands Land Sale Story
Special Rate Rejected
IPART rejects Port Stephens Council’s SRV proposal.
Council’s Submission for a Special Rate Variation (SRV)of 7.5 % for 7 years was reviewed by IPART after the deadline for public submissions on 14 March.
TRRA’s submission to IPART on the SRV
The TRRA submission to IPART concludes as follows:
If the council succeeds with its application, it is at the higher end of the options normally granted by IPART.
TRRA notes the current Council which is proposing the SRV has only 18 months to run before the next elections. We do not recall any of the current Councillors expressly flagging an intention for an SRV during the election campaign in 2017.
TRRA suggests that a less ambitious project list and shorter period for rate rises would be much more saleable to the community and allow the necessary flexibility to respond to the changing social, business, technical and financial conditions. There would be greater opportunity to assess the success of Council in delivering the programme and if proven, there would be an option of applying to IPART for an extension of the SRV.
TRRA’s Full submission to IPART – Click Here
For PDF version – Click Here
TRRA Inc. Submission on Nelson Bay Public Domain Plan Exhibition Documents, 28 March 2019
General Overview
The Public Exhibition period closed on 28 March and the documents are no longer on display. The President Geoff Washington (president@trra.com.au) has a hard copy of the documents if anyone wants access.
The following is an extract from the summary of TRRA’s submission to Council.
For the full summary – Click Here
TRRA is very pleased to note that the Nelson Bay Public Domain Plan Exhibition Draft recognises the need to protect the existing character of Nelson Bay Town Centre and embraces the key planning principles of the 2012 Strategy which was adopted by Council at that time.
Highly relevant statements in the introductory sections of the Exhibition Draft include:
- Page 6 – The Vision characterises Nelson Bay as “a Town by the Bay”
- Page 9 – ‘…natural bushland and hilly topography, which provides a dramatic backdrop to picturesque local views
- Page 11 – Reference is made to “The Existing Scenic Value” and the importance of the view corridors to the Bay and towards the “forested hills of Tomaree National Park to the south.“
- Page 13 – The opportunity to ‘enhance and enliven the existing local charm and place character’, including ‘enhancing the village character…’
TRRA Inc. cautions that the value of the proposed public domain works would be completely undermined by a reckless pursuit of high-rise developments in the town centre.
Community Vision for the Future of Tomaree Headland, Shoal Bay, Port Stephens – Click Here
TRRA Inc has been working with a consortium of community, business and environmental groups, “ Friends of Tomaree Headland” to develop a prospectus for the future of this iconic site once its current use comes to an end in 2020. A copy of the prospectus and a covering Press Release Follow.
In reacting to the Friends’ prospectus, the member for Port Stephens Kate Washington and the Liberal candidate for Port Stephens Jaimie Abbott both announced on 4 February commitments to retain the site of Tomaree Lodge in public ownership and to consult with the community on its future use.
TRRA welcomes Council infrastructure works at Mambo Wetlands/Foreshore Drive – Click Here
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Lagoons Estate –
Council loses case it was warned off. Newcastle Herald article.- Click Here
History of matter:
2017 Click Here
For more use search field with this text – Lagoons Estate.
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Lot 424 Halifax Holiday Park.- Councillors’ site inspection took place on 27 August at 4:30 pm.
Those present – Cr john Nell, Cr Sarah Smith, Carmel Foster, Group Manager Corporate Services and another Council Officer. Apologises had been received from the Mayor who is familiar with the site.
John Nell, East ward councillor, addressed the assembled group of about 50 people, all of whom are concerned that the holiday park will be extended into what is currently being used as a public park. He explained that the area is crown land and in the past was designated by the state government as part of the holiday park (2013?). A Carmel Foster also explained there will be a public consultation process in Sept/Oct on the issue of whether or not the council should agree to let the park management expand the holiday park into this area.
It was suggested that representations to both the local councillors and Kate Washington may help sway the decision.
History of previous action over this issue. Click Here
As an aside, Councillor Nell conformed he would not be standing for election next time round.
Images of a Koala in a threatened tree between the apartments and the caravan park.
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Koala Sanctuary (eco-tourist facility) at Treescape Holiday Park
DA 16-2018-534-1 Advertising 23/08/2018 to 06/09/2018
Sports Complex Master Plan
Port Stephens Council’s vision is that the precinct would be Port Stephens’ largest sporting complex with a diverse range of active sporting uses and is home to a number of sporting clubs. The park is not only enjoyed by sports players but residents, school children, active fitness groups and recreational walkers. The purpose of the Master Plan is to provide a clear vision and guide future sporting facility and public domain improvements
Please click here to read the Master Plan, or download from the document library
Full size version (33.3mb) https://haveyoursay.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/35296/documents/75766
Low resolution (1.45 mb) https://haveyoursay.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/35296/documents/76293
For TRRA’s submission to PSC click here
The Bay – Anna Bay – Newcastle Herald Story
Background information – Click Here
TRRA Submission – Draft Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan – Click Here
GOOD NEWS –SOLDIERS POINT MARINA – APPEAL DISMISSED BY LAND AND ENVIRONMENT COURT
Tomaree Ratepayers And Residents Association is an Incorporated Community Group based in Nelson Bay, Port Stephens on the Tomaree Peninsula, NSW, Australia. More Info – Click Here.
The design of this site has enabled the TRRA Inc. Management Committee to keep our membership and other interested parties up to date on current issues by posting our Reports, Submissions and Developments directly onto the site. Our mission is to appreciate and defend this lifestyle and environment for ourselves and our children.