On exhibition from Thursday 1 August 2013 to Monday 9 September 2013 : HERE 

Port Stephens Council has resolved to prepare and exhibit a planning proposal in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.  It is proposed to amend the principal local environmental plan that applies to the Port Stephens Local Government Area when it is finalised.

The purpose of the planning proposal is reclassify a number of Council owned sites from community land to operational land and, in some cases, to also rezone a number of these Council sites within Raymond Terrace, Tomago, Medowie, Fingal Bay and Soldiers Point.

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Colin Howard, President of the Soldiers Point Community Group Inc. Has made the following Submission to Council expressing the views of his organization HERE

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From The Examiner –  Aug. 20, 2013, 6:03 p.m

Marina lease plans in pipeline   By Jean Armstrong

.PORT Stephens Council is proposing to re-zone land at the western end of Ridgeway Avenue, Soldiers Point, in order to lease it back to the marina complex. Presently, the land in question is a public reserve, which for some time has been encroached upon by the Soldiers Point Marina complex.

In order to resolve this issue, the council proposes to re-zone a section of land adjacent to the marina, to “operational use” and to lease it back to the marina for commercial purposes. This will mean that the public walkway will then be shared by vehicular traffic over environmentally and culturally sensitive foreshore land. “Operational” land can be sold in the future.

There is no appreciable benefit to the community by re-zoning land in order to resolve the issue of unlawful use. This is a most unsatisfactory solution. Now is the time to have your say. The proposal is on exhibition at the Tomaree Community Centre library and submissions close on September 9.

Jean Armstrong  Soldiers Point