PORT Stephens mayor Bruce MacKenzie had the numbers to approve the first stage of the controversial rezoning of a 4.5 hectare section of Boomerang Park.
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Protesters armed with a petition and wearing green shirts emblazoned with "Save Our Boomerang Park" on them pack the gallery at the July 28 council meeting, calling on councillors to reject the rezoning.
However it was not enough to sway six councillors, including Cr MacKenzie, from voting to approve the rezoning.
Publicly, however, up until now only councillors Geoff Dingle and Peter Kafer have spoken out in opposition; both again sided with the protesters.
Cr Dingle described Boomerang Park as a public space that should be preserved for the people of Raymond Terrace.
"The history of this park goes back 100 years. Once you start filling it up with buildings, it doesn't become a park anymore," Cr Dingle said.
"The people's wishes are to retain it as a park; I will be siding with the people."
The absence at the meeting of anti-development councillor John Nell [overseas] meant that Cr MacKenzie only required the support of four of the remaining six votes to push through the rezoning.
"This [development proposal] is one of the best things to happen to Raymond Terrace," Cr MacKenzie told the Examiner.
"I have had current and former business people tell me what a great idea it is to have senior living within walking distance of the CBD within walking distance of medical and professional services.
"Boomerang Park is rarely used and the money generated [from the housing development] will fund new facilities such as community gardens, men's shed, croquet courts, amenities building, playground, barbecue facilities, pathway, fitness stations and a skate park."
Before any rezoning can be legislated, the proposal has to be placed on public exhibition for community consultation and needs the approval of the planning department.
