A Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 has made a preliminary determination to support a proposal to list a population of Koalas in the Port Stephens Area as an “endangered population”. 

Currently a section 96 application is on public exhibition for the Bower estate in Medowie, the approved DA requires 12,600 sq. metres of Koala habitat be preserved as a ‘doughnut’ development surrounded by road networks and medium density housing, isolated from the adjoining National Park. A recipe for road kill, dog attack and stress related Koala diseases. The Bower application (on exhibition until October 4) is requesting a reduction in the habitat area being offered to 10,543 sq. metres incorporating playground space of 1008 sq. metres –  a net reduction of 23pc in open space. The developer was recently handed a rezoning approval allowing a large yield increase, previously advertised minimum block sizes can potentially be reduced from 1000 sq. metes down to 500 sq. metres. Evidence the more concessions some developers are given the more they will potentially seek.

While ever Port Stephens Council is unwilling to take a tougher stance on Koala habitat protection and enforce the PS Koala Plan of management it remains death by a thousand cuts for the local Koala population.  We continue to be told:  it’s just a few trees to be removed and will make little difference in the long run. The bumper sticker says it all: No Tree No Me.

Geoff Dingle

Medowie

Mr Paul Attard in his letter (Development challenge 28/9) said, "Firstly there is a need for economic development to provide jobs on the Tomaree peninsular," then he says "we need a greater population to encourage job growth".

It's inevitable that we will then need more economic development to provide jobs for the increasing population and so on, and so on.  Mr Attard also wants to preserve our wonderful wildlife, flora and fauna, he may not be aware of the Mambo development saga and where do we build the factories for the new jobs? 

This peninsula is both a tourist and retirement peninsular (tourism and the demands of the retired are providing the jobs) to encourage a growing industrial hub here may scuttle both. Consequently, an overcrowded ‘HMAS Tomaree peninsula’ will capsize and sink into a blue water paradise, metaphorically speaking of course.

George Allen

Nelson Bay

WHAT do the Locals want ? Congratulations to the new incoming Port Stephens Councillors! Well done also to all of the candidates for making the effort, caring for our  beautiful area  and having the interests of the community at heart. I agree with Paul Attard, (PSE 28/9), regarding the revitalisation of the Tomaree Peninsula and the balancing of economic imperatives and preserving our unique environment. If the new council wishes to do what the community wants and needs, my suggestion would be to conduct a survey either on line or through the council rates notices as  to the preferences for each area. In speaking with locals in east ward, I heard that our main concerns are  for a viable shopping precinct in Nelson Bay with some  interesting shops for the people who live here so that we don’t need to travel out of the area, not  just those short term businesses aimed at tourists. A very popular move would also be  a reduced fee or no charge parking sticker for the Marina.  

Diana Souter

Corlette