DISGRUNTLED Fern Bay and Fullerton Cove residents want Port Stephens Council to drop plans to spend its section 94 developer contributions in Medowie.
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The residents, who have recently formed the Fern Bay Fullerton Cove Progress Association, have also launched a change.org petition that has gathered more than 200 signatures in two days.
The council proposed to borrow $1.77 million in April to build the Medowie clubhouse and will vote on the matter Tuesday night.
“We believe Port Stephens Council is turning its back on the residents of Fern Bay and Fullerton Cove by diverting section 94 contributions to Medowie when we simple do not have adequate community facilities in our own backyard,” Progress Association chairwoman Sally Johnston said.
“We realise we are at the southern-most point of the council’s area but it’s like we are in Antarctica when you consider the delivery of much-needed facilities for our community.’
The petition calls on Port Stephens Council and the mayor Bruce MacKenzie to stop the diversion because of “inadequate consultation”.
“Port Stephens Council wants to borrow $1.77 million of funds raised from residential developments in Fern Bay and Fullerton Cove to build a community facility in Medowie,” Ms Johnston said.
“Yet they only want to spend $800,000 on a replacement community hall in Fern Bay... they believe that this area doesn't need any other facilities in the short to medium term.”
The council has refuted claims the facility would be used as a licensed club which is prohibited under section 94 rules.
“Yet the plans for Medowie feature a commercial kitchen, walk-in cool room and freezer, staff toilets and a bar and dining room,” Ms Johnston said.
“Who stands to benefit from this? Not Fern Bay or Fullerton Cove residents.”
The council maintains that to borrow the funds would not affect the delivery of Fern Bay infrastructure.
The report to councillors points to the Fern Bay section 94 schedule of projects that includes; $1.2 million toward foreshore embellishment; $500,000 for tennis facilities; $200,000 for mobile library stops; $900,000 for multipurpose facilities; $750,000 for Vardon Road parking and road widening; more than $700,000 for Fullerton Cove Road improvements; and $7000 for bus shelters.
