BIDDERS have met the reserve in the controversial sale of a government parcel of Salamander Bay land, marking a turning point in a process plagued by accusations of impropriety and concerns about the site’s future use.
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Knight Frank’s online auction of about 60,000 square metres of Department of Education land on Port Stephens Drive opened on Monday at 11am and will close on Thursday at 3pm.
Bidding started at $50,000 and bidder number 18 met the $55,000 reserve on Tuesday afternoon.
Listing agent Nick Lane declined to comment on the sale. A Property NSW spokesperson said; “Information relating to registered bidders is held by the agent and is confidential.”
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington has raised concerns about the lack of consultation, short lead in time and method of sale.
The land is zoned E2 Environmental Conservation and within the Mambo Wanda Wetlands.
Mambo Wanda Wetlands Landcare Committee member Margaret Lamond said residents were feeling “frustrated” and “shut out” of the land sale.
“We want it to remain part of the wetlands, which is prime koala and other animal habitat.”
A Department of Education spokesperson said the government was selling the land by competitive process on the open market, “as mandated by NSW Treasury guidelines for surplus department land”.
Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
