A BARBED wire-fenced compound, housing equipment for an outriggers club and erected by Port Stephens Council on public parkland in Shoal Bay, has infuriated volunteer workers in the area.
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The Shoal Bay Community Association (SBCA), whose 30-plus members spend a few hours each week replanting and restoring Shoal Bay's foreshore and parks, say they deserve better treatment.
The group says it is not opposed to outriggers or outrigger racing, but is opposing the council's lack of consultation.
"We have worked very close with [the] council for around four years now on upgrades (access road, walkway, landscaping, boat ramp and wharf) to transform Shoal Bay into a prime recreation area," chairman Peter Thomas said.
"We believe we are justified in claiming a stake in preservation of the area's natural environment. We are deeply disappointed that council has excluded us from any discussion in planning this structure."
Mr Thomas said the area was already becoming cluttered with trailers using the boat ramp and the loss of a further three or more trailer spaces near the compound entrance would cause more congestion.
"Personally, we would have liked to see the compound on the northern side of the car park," he said.
A council spokeswoman said during negotiation in August last year about a walkway the SBCA was informed of the outrigger club's intention to relocate.
