AFTER more than five years of countless changes and public scrutiny the strategy which will mould the Bay's future development is up for adoption for what could be the final time.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Nelson Bay Town Centre and Foreshore Strategy, as it is now known, will go before the council this month with changes to height restrictions, an improved public domain and more carparking in the area some of the main differences.
The strategy first hit the council chambers in 2007 and if approved this month it would mark the end of the long-running debate between residents, stakeholder groups and the council about how best to develop the area. Soon after it was first released public scrutiny arose about building heights, which originally stood at up to 12 storeys in particular areas and a potential five storey development in Apex Park. Now, after going back to drawing board countless times and a recent consultation process in the form of a survey by the Hunter Valley Research Foundation the council's manager of community planning and environmental services Bruce Petersen believes they have it right.
"At the start of our consultation we didn't take anything for granted," he said.
"There was a lot of ill feeling because of what had happened in the past and the community was skeptical [of the survey].
"I feel really positive now, I didn't feel so positive at the beginning." Compared to the original 2007 plan the new strategy proposes a maximum height of five storeys through the town centre, seven storeys for the area south of the bowling club, three storeys for the marina and four storeys for the Fisherman's co-op site. But it is a clause for additional height in buildings that exhibit "design excellence" that has some worried, including the TRRA which are reportedly concerned the loophole could be abused. A report to council states that should a development exhibit "outstanding design excellence" and provide a "strategic public benefit" it may qualify for up to an additional two storeys. In relation to a public domain the plan seeks to create a strong pedestrian "spine" along Stockton Street to the waterfront, create a design brief for Apex Park and improve the link area between the town centre and foreshore. The plan was to be discussed by councillors on Tuesday night and a final decision is expected at the council's ordinary meeting on April 24.
