Category Archives: HOT ISSUES

Objection – DA 16-2021-387-1 – 4136 Nelson Bay Rd, Anna Bay – Proposed Aircraft facility

TRRA objects to this proposal on a number of grounds, particularly the noise impact on the adjacent cemetery, residences and wildlife and because the zoning of the land does not permit this scale of helicopter activity.   Full Submission – … Continue reading

Posted in 2021, HOT ISSUES | 6 Comments

TRRA submission on Port Stephens Council Draft Integrated Plans

TRRA submission on Port Stephens Council Draft Integrated Plans We note that these plans have been prepared in some cases prior or during the early stages of the Covid-19 outbreak. As a consequence, some changes are likely over the course … Continue reading

Posted in 2019, HOT ISSUES | 1 Comment

Ten + storeys flawed solution for Nelson Bay

Ten + storeys flawed solution for Nelson Bay

The centrepiece of Port Stephens Council’s “Revised Implementation and Delivery Program for the Nelson Bay Town and Foreshore Strategy” is a proposal to more than double the present height limit from 5 to 10-storeys (35 metres) backed by an unconditional option to apply for more floors.

The Council argues that this is necessary for new projects to be viable and to attract more permanent residents to bolster retail business which has been struggling.

Advice provided by long established Nelson Bay real estate professionals, and developers suggests that this a false hope, as a blanket 10 + zoning across the whole town area will actually increase uncertainty because new investors will never know if a project’s views will be built out.

TRRA calls for a more fine-grained stepped zoning across the amphitheatre thus sharing views. This would offer greater certainty to developers and unit purchasers.

The Council’s consultants questioned the viability of high rise in the town when fire protection and parking requirements are factored in. They also described the market for high rise apartments as “very thin”. That is, difficult to sell units after the first couple of towers go up. Locals know how long it takes to sell new units now. We have also seen project failures leaving holes in the ground and high levels of mortgage default.

As for permanent residents, evidence shows that apartments 3 floors and over in Nelson Bay have occupancy rates of less than 30 %. Most have absentee owners and are held for weekend visits, holiday rental or capital gain. Adding to this stock will not solve the problems of our retailers.

Council persists with the line “we listened to you and now you have further opportunity to review the strategy”. However, its exhibited document acknowledges that of the 76 submissions received last year mentioning maximum building heights, “the vast majority was against any significant increase”. Council did not listen!

The majority of local residents and visitors place high value on the coastal village ambience of Nelson Bay and the protection of view corridors to the wooded ridges and towards the Bay. These principles were agreed for the 2012 Strategy. Incentives for amalgamation of sites in the town centre and in surrounding areas could attract high quality low and medium rise developments. Implementation of the other recommendations in the Delivery Program for landscaping, public spaces, traffic, parking and signage would demonstrate to developers that the community is serious about growing a vibrant town.

If you care about your town come to the Public Meeting on Tuesday 6 March, 7.00pm at the Nelson Bay Bowling Club.

Geoff Washington, TRRA President

Posted in 2018, HOT ISSUES, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT, TRRA Meeting Notices | 3 Comments

New look Council, but the old culture survives

*NB: This post has been edited at the request of the TRRA Management Committee and differs from the original article. “The new Mayor and Councillors have made a disappointing start, at their first meeting held on 26 Sept 2017.” The … Continue reading

Posted in 2017, ANNOUNCEMENTS, Council Decisions, Council Elections, Council Responses, HOT ISSUES | 1 Comment

Mambo Fight Continues – 01 Oct 2017 Protest at Site

Update 01 October 2017 Oct 01 2017: Mambo wetland angst sparks rally Oct 01 2017: Port Stephens Koalas launches ‘Go Fund Me’ page A successful protest meeting was held today at the Mambo wetlands site at 11 am to discuss … Continue reading

Posted in 2017, ANNOUNCEMENTS, Planning Issues, State Gov Submissions | Leave a comment

Lawyers Picnic At Lagoons Estate 2017

This is our annual roundup of the Lagoons Estate saga, we covered this in 2015, 2016, and now in 2017 it is still a Lawyers Picnic. On 12 September 2017 Justice Pembroke set down a further hearing date May, 2018. … Continue reading

Posted in 2017, Council Financial, HOT ISSUES, Litagation, Planning Issues | Leave a comment

Nelson Bay at the Crossroads

Examiner 07 March 2017: TRRA pushes for strict height limits in Nelson Bay CBD  – Keeping the character or the town Non Negotiable This opinion piece in the Examiner by Nigel Waters, TRRA Planning Committee Convener, will be the last word in the … Continue reading

Posted in 2017, Council Submissions, Planning Issues, Planning Submissions | 1 Comment

TRRA Joins Nelson Bay Lobby Group

Geoff Washington, TRRA President Writes: TRRA JOINS NEW NELSON BAY LOBBY GROUP In recent years TRRA Inc. has been a member of the Nelson Bay Chamber of Commerce more recently called Tomaree Business Chamber.  This has provided an opportunity to … Continue reading

Posted in 2017, ANNOUNCEMENTS, Planning Issues | Leave a comment

February 2017 Newsletter – DA Watch

Our General Meeting, 7:00 pm Tuesday 21 Feb at Nelson Bay Bowling Club is shaping up to be one of the most important for Nelson Bay Residents for some time. Two major issues will be discussed at this meeting. The … Continue reading

Posted in 2017, Council Amalgamations, Council Elections, Council Submissions, D A Watch, Planning Issues, Planning Submissions, PORT STEPHENS COUNCIL, TRRA Newsletters | 1 Comment

Lawyers Picnic at Lagoons Estate 2016

 Press Clippings Updated to 20 May 2016.  I wonder what the new ‘City of the Hunter Coast Council’ will make of this when they get the multi-million dollar bill next year???  Posted 07 April 2016. 12 Years of litigation, and the only winners are … Continue reading

Posted in 2016, Litagation, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT, PORT STEPHENS COUNCIL | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment