Discussion around Nelson Bay and its future has certainly gathered momentum over the last fortnight, with a number of public meetings, heightened social media interest and several articles and editorials, all highlighting the pros and cons of different approaches and themes.
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Some individuals and groups clearly hold very firm and passionate views, which is to be expected and helps us to shape the best ultimate outcome.
I am hoping that, like Council, residents don’t set their views in concrete, however. Ideas that invite no flexibility are rarely the best ideas. We deserve better than that.
Port Stephens Council, as you would expect, needs to take the broadest possible approach and one that is generally optimistic in outlook. We are confident we can build a better future for the Bay in partnership with the community.
That confidence comes, not only from the natural advantages Nelson Bay is blessed with, but the knowledge that we don’t need to reinvent the wheel. There are other very clear examples of town and city rejuvenations after grappling with all sorts of factors, including highway bypasses, economic downturns, industry changes and demographic shifts. In an example that is familiar to most of us, immediately to our south, the city of Newcastle has seen a dramatic shift in fortunes over the last five or six years.
The city had lost its retail heart, lacked population density, was physically separated from its bustling harbour and devoid of any real vibrancy or hustle. Speaking to Council this week, the Property Council’s Hunter Director Andrew Fletcher, said opposition to change in the city, which was fervent and inflexible at first, had turned on its head in a short space of time.
“As we know, there was quite a bit of vocal opposition to much of the change we’re now seeing in Newcastle’s city centre”, he said.
“As the dynamics of the town has shifted however, so have the attitudes of the community. Comments about the town’s vibrancy and positive future prospects are now the norm.
“We have more people investing and living in the city and along with it, greater employment opportunities and less empty shop fronts.”
A bold example of strategic thinking that Port Stephens might be able to learn from if we keep our minds open.
Mike McIntosh is the Development Services Group Manager for Port Stephens Council.
