A fierce battle is expected over the controversial Mambo Wetlands site and its koala habitat at Salamander Bay.
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Port Stephens Council is assessing a development application for a dual occupancy on the site.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington, who will lead a campaign against the plan, said the land was crucial to “ensuring the survival of koalas in our area”.
Ms Washington said the application would be open for public comment from Thursday to October 27.
“I encourage everyone who wants to see this environmentally-sensitive land protected to contact Port Stephens Council and make their own submissions about the use of this land,” she said.
“Concerned residents should also contact the Minister for the Environment, Gabrielle Upton, to urge her to do the right thing and buy back the core koala habitat they flogged off.”
The land has a zoning known as “E2 environmental conservation”.
Dual occupancies are permitted with consent under this zone.
Controversy erupted last year over the NSW government’s sale of the land, which the Department of Education no longer wanted.
Ms Washington, citizens and the council had urged the NSW Minister for Education not to sell the site and instead include it in the Mambo Wetlands Reserve.
But their calls were ignored.
“The six-hectare parcel of land was sold for just $250,000 last year via an online auction,” Ms Washington said.
Resident Guy Innes previously said that koalas meet on the site in spring, find partners and mate.
“They continue down to the beach, where I see them lick the sand.”
The Herald could not reach the developer for comment.
