If approved both have the potential to change the distinctive low- to medium-rise character and appeal of Nelson Bay without providing quantifiable benefits for town aesthetics, amenity, residents or visitors.

EcoNetwork supports apartment developments that fill an accommodation need, but only if they are in the long-term interests of the town and its unique natural location and not in the short-term interests of developers.

High-rise has been an issue at Nelson Bay for over 30 years and our pro-development council persists by encouraging unsustainable high-rise.

Do we want Nelson Bay to follow in the footsteps of the Gold Coast? We think not.

As a convenor of the 2009-12 Nelson Bay Town & Foreshore Advisory Group, EcoNetwork stands by the general principle that a five-storey limit apply across the town centre, with one or two additional storeys to a maximum of seven storeys allowed in special locations and circumstances i.e. in relation to developer contributions to the public domain, design excellence, the townscape, infrastructure and site amalgamations.

So far we have only a general picture of the two new proposed developments, which clearly aim to get around reasonable height restrictions.

Before these DAs proceed further and beyond the regulations, we need to see the fine print. We urge interested residents and communities to attend the council presentation on the Nelson Bay Discussion Paper hosted by TRRA on February 21 at the Nelson Bay Bowling Club at 7pm.

Nigel Dique

Secretary, EcoNetwork-Port Stephens Inc.

I was saddened recently to see from my veranda, a young teen on a bicycle pick up a blue sarong-type garment he found on the foreshore [Gibber Point].

 I thought it must be his as he started to ride off with it, but no, he changed his mind and he tossed it into the receding tide.

 What a shameful act that was with no regard for what is happening to our sea-life or our environment.

The tide washed it to shore a little later and a man walking his dogs picked it up and placed it back on the foreshore.  Well done to you.

I grabbed a plastic rubbish bag and retrieved it, only to find all sorts of other abandoned clothing, cans, bottles etc., as well.

 I ended up with two shopping bags of rubbish and a large blue tub the fishermen use and have placed them all in my bin.  My neighbours have told me of all sorts of other surprises they find on the foreshore like soiled baby nappies. Some people really are appallingly disgusting.

I implore the local council to place signs on the foreshore at Gibbers Point and other foreshore areas to encourage people to "Take Your Rubbish Home".

Jan Freeman-Kamphausen

Lemon Tree Passage

The recent discussion on speed limits has prompted me to comment as a new resident at Tanilba Bay (we moved here from northern NSW).  

I find the speeding in this area is out of control. Maybe not in the built up residential areas, but I drive on Lemon Tree Passage Road nearly every day and hardly a day goes by without at least one or more cars flying past or tailgating until they get a chance to overtake.  

It's such a beautiful and peaceful place to live and I really love it here, but driving on that road usually leaves me both nervous and angry.  I wish the police would patrol it more often.

Jenny Reed

Tanilba Bay