I was extremely disappointed to find that the One Mile/Boat Harbour to Anna Bay shared pathway had been ignored by our council once again.

Residents in our area have been waiting nearly a decade for the missing 200 metres in the middle to be completed.

When my daughter began school in Kindergarten at Anna Bay Public school, she talked about the day she would be able to ride to school on her own from Boat Harbour.

She is now in Year 6 and it still has not happened.

You only have to drive along Gan Gan Road before school, after school or at holiday times to see young bike riders dodging the traffic in an effort to get from one side of the road to the other.

The speed limit along the section of road adjacent to the missing section of shared user pathway is 70km/h, and as locals know, that means 80-90km/h for some drivers.

I find it very difficult to understand why the Anna Bay 50km/h zone begins 100 metres south of the southern end of the unfinished pathway.

Surely common sense dictates that the 50km/h zone should be extended to encompass the unfinished section of pathway?

 In addition, I would think that it can’t be too difficult for the council to erect ‘bikes crossing’ signs adjacent to the end of the southern section of the unfinished pathway to alert drivers to the potential hazard of cyclists crossing the road.

The Anna Bay Public School P&C Association has taken this issue up with Port Stephens Council on more than one occasion.

The response has invariably been that completing the pathway is too expensive and the council doesn’t have the money.

Well, the article in the Examiner clearly shows that when the council does have money, they choose to spend it elsewhere.

Adrian Lewis

Anna Bay PS P&C Association – Vice President

Port Stephens Council has approved the development of three and four-storey blocks of flats in an area of Soldiers Point where the Local Environment Plan specifies a maximum of two storeys.

In claiming that it is a minor variation, the council has set a precedent for developers to build structures of whatever height they wish wherever they like. In my opinion the need for seniors or any other housing should never be used as an excuse to degrade the local environment as this development will.

Cherylle Stone

Soldiers Point

IT was lovely to read positive thoughts from John Cunningham “Good Vibes at Lost Highway” [Examiner, May 19].

The committee would also like to thank the many volunteers that worked over the weekend to make the festival such a success. 

We were overwhelmed with the response  from festival-goers. The change of venue has certainly made a difference. 

The committee would also like to acknowledge the support received from Port Stephens Council and its interest in developing great events in the west of the local government area.  

A special mention to the mayor for believing in us and his support for The Lost Highway Bluegrass Festival. 

The community development team, the events team and parks and gardens crew at the council. All were fantastic in their help and support. 

The partnerships between community and council made a huge difference this year and we hope to build on the success in 2017.

Sharon Wedd

Lost Highway Committee member