President of the Port Stephens Liberals Jamie Abbott has launched a blistering attack on her own party’s decision to sell off part of Mambo Wetlands, at a mass rally held against a development proposed on the prime koala habitat.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nearly 200 people converged on Salamander Bay for the protest on Sunday, as efforts intensify to block a development application for a dual occupancy on the parcel.
The DA was lodged with Port Stephens Council last month by developer Paul Unicomb, after he controversially purchased the six-hectare site from the Department of Education last year.
The rally saw calls for Parliamentary Secretary Scot MacDonald to resign over the sell off, which he has conceded to Fairfax Media was a “mistake”.
Abbott, a newly elected Port Stephens councillor, said she would not being making “any excuses” for the state government’s actions and called for the wetlands’ remaining lots to be protected from development.
“I am ashamed with what the state government has done with these wetlands,” Cr Abbott said.
“I want to ensure that council takes a stronger lead in reversing actions it … took in the 1950s, which actually resulted in the wetlands being subdivided and zoned for development.
“It is inappropriate that in 2017, they are still fragmented.
“I'd actually like to see all of the surviving Crown land lots consolidated into a single public reserve, dedicated and protected forever.”
The rally, organised by concerned residents and members of the community, was also attended by Mayor Ryan Palmer and councillors Giacomo Arnott, Sarah Smith, Glen Dunckley and John Nell. Cr Paul Le Mottee gave his apologies.
While councillors were unable to speak to what judgement they might make on the DA until it came before council, Crs Palmer (Independent), Arnott (Labor) and Nell (Independent) all expressed concern over the future of the site.
“I know there’s been a huge amount of public angst about this development … and to be honest I share that angst,” Cr Palmer said.
“I can say this: that I campaigned on protecting Port Stephens’ environment and my position has not changed.
“We can’t change the past and what has happened, but we can certainly fix it.”
Cr Arnott argued it was not too late for the Berejiklian government to reverse its decisions to sell the land.
“[Scot MacDonald] was in the media saying it was a mistake that it was sold. If it was such a mistake, then why hasn’t the government come back and bought it?” he said.
“If you make a mistake, you fix it.”
Mr MacDonald could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
The land, which was sold in an online auction for $250,000, has been deemed critical for the preservation of the Tomaree peninsula koala population.
Activists have warned it is also home to several threatened flora and fauna species and is of cultural value to the Maiangal clan of the Worimi people.
It is zoned as E2 environmental conservation, under which dual occupancies are permitted with consent.
A petition was circulated at the rally and people were encouraged to make submissions on the proposal, which will be on exhibition until October 27.
Nigel Waters, secretary of the Port Stephens Greens, described the money required for a buyback as “small change” and blamed the state government’s inaction on a lack of “political will”.
“They’re just being really stubborn, saying it’s not our problem now, talk to your council,” Mr Waters said.
Mr Waters was dubious over whether Mr Unicomb intended to proceed to construction, saying development approval alone would see the land’s resale value skyrocket.
