THE Joint Regional Planning Panel has rejected the proposed expansion of Soldiers Point Marina on environmental and cultural grounds, as well as a lack of car parking.
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It's the second time in two years the panel has refused an expansion of the site.
The decision is a small win for the Soldiers Point Community Group, who had 13 members speak against the development on February 25.
Only one person, a lawyer for proponent Clippers Anchorage, spoke for the proposal.
"For the proponents to receive such an adverse finding is significant," community group president Jean Armstrong said. "They've concluded ... by saying this development is not in the community interest."
Clippers director Jeff d'Albora had proposed to build 59 berths and extend the 25-metre marina further into the channel, close to oyster leases.
This would have been in breach of an exclusion zone designed to protect the oyster industry, while the panel feared the project's scale would restrict recreational boating in the channel.
The proposal to run a valet service for cars parked near the Soldiers Point shopping centre also failed to win over panelists.
Mrs Armstrong was pleased with the outcome but feared the community hadn't seen the last of it.
“Clippers Anchorage may decide to challenge the JRPP decision in the Land and Environment Court,” she said.
“If that’s the case council… will contact all objectors to advise that the court has received an application.”
The plans were first refused in June 2014 by both the council and the JRPP.
The plans were revived in October 2015 which triggered a four month scramble to again block the plans.
For the proponents to receive such an adverse finding is significant.
- Jean Armstrong
The Soldiers Point Community Group convened a public meeting with the Environmental Defenders Office at the Soldiers Point Hall in November.
When the JRPP convened last month it sat for a marathon three hours.
Those who spoke against the proposal included Groff Diemar on behalf of the Port Stephens Shellfish Quality Assurance Program. Andrew Smith also spoke against it on behalf of the Worimi Aboriginal Land Council.
The five person panel included the mayor of Port Stephens, Cr Bruce MacKenzie, and Cr Paul LeMottee.
Mr d'Albora had not responded to inquiries at the time of publication.
