The developers behind the Fleet Street, Salamander Bay site have lodged two development applications with Port Stephens Council for the initial stages and want two 10 storey towers later on.

“The site that has the potential to house a significant number of housing units but it's very piecemeal,” NSW Greens planning and local government spokesman David Shoebridge said.

“I think it's time for the council to stand firm and insist upon a master plan process, so the whole of the site is mapped out, so residents and council can engage and you can come up with a creative, positive outcome.”

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The developers have lodged the plans for the R2 zoned residential site with the intention to seek a variation to maximum building heights under clause 4.6 of local environment plan where public benefit can be demonstrated. The developers have said the benefits are clear with assurances it will enhance the existing reserve if its plans are approved. Mr Shoebridge wasn’t satisfied.

"One of the things I don't understand from a town planning perspective is how a developer can be proposing a 10 storey development on a site that has a nine-metre height limitation,” he said

“It is inconceivable that the council would consider approving that kind of development without going through a rezoning process.”  

With two development applications before it Port Stephens Council said it was carefully consider what had been put forward before it made a determination.

“A full assessment of the impacts of a development is undertaken with any development application lodged with Council,” the spokesperson said.

But the spokesperson declined to respond to questions about the need for a rezoning application. Again, the spokesperson said this would be a merit-based assessment.

“Any clause 4.6 variation request submitted in support of a development application will need to be considered as part of the assessment of that application.”

Architect Warwick Lindsay said it was typical of the Greens.

“It’s rubbish, there is a master plan, we’re just doing this in stages and we’ll go ahead as we are,” he said. 

“Let’s be realistic, we’re not going to build this all at once so why should we have to pay all these fees up front only for them to sit and do nothing? The state tax on the Elizabeth stage alone is between $30,000 and $40,000, which isn’t a contribution to better parks or facilities, it’s just a tax. I’m not going to pay the thousands of dollars up front just to satisfy Mr Shoebridge.”