THE Soldiers Point Community Group has claimed boat users in the area are concerned about a loss of water space as a result of proposed expansions to the town's marina.
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The group's spokesman Colin Howard said community volunteers canvassed the opinions of boat owners as they launched their vessels at the point's boat ramp on the weekend.
He said many were outraged at the potential loss of their waterway to make way for a proposed $1.1 million expansion to include 58 additional berths.
As part of the proposal the new berths would form an extension of the three already existing marina arms, A, B and C and each would be 25 metres wide with the length varying from 65.5 metres to 72.3 metres
Mr Howard said while there was no doubt that Port Stephens needed more marinas and boat ramps, particularly at peak periods such as Easter, the environment also needed to be factored in.
"We also need to balance this against the impact these very facilities have on our pristine waterways," he said.
"On one hand, it would increase the berths available to paying customers of the marina but this would come at a price to the community, both local and tourist."
