A Sydney developer who has invested millions of dollars in property around the Bay has long-term plans to change the face of living on the Tomaree Peninsula.
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Rod Salmon, owner of five Nelson Bay CBD properties and land at Anna Bay that is earmarked for a large-scale residential estate, has become one of the “biggest players” in sparking new development and living opportunities on the peninsula.
“There hasn't been anything happening in Nelson Bay for a decade and that’s sad because I think it’s one of the best places in the world,” Mr Salmon said.
“I think that the natural beauty that’s there is hindered by the lack of facilities and modern lifestyle likes that should be there.
“The CBD of Nelson Bay needs a complete revamp. It’s stuck and I’m hoping we can help that.”
Mr Salmon is the driving force behind the eight-storey Ascent apartment development currently underway in Church Street in Nelson Bay, of 15 townhouses on the former Bunnings site in Stockton Street and is working on plans for a second Ascent apartment complex, to go up next to Oaks Lure.
He also owns the Nelson Bay cinema complex, the block of land in the Bay CBD that the old Caltex service station sat on and six properties in Anna Bay that he envisages will become an all new housing estate in the next 10 years.
“We’re currently working on a pretty major subdivision for Anna Bay North, as we call it,” he said.
“It’s a 10-year plan. We want to see a new subdivision with lakes, parks, ovals and 700 residential sites to create a whole new community feel.
“It is in preliminary council discussions but some of it is DA approved.
“We have to be really careful about the natural habitat. There’s a lot of challenges but we’re a long player. We’re invested in the area.”
Port Stephens Council approved the development application for the first Ascent apartment complex in April 2017 amid fears that the height of the building, 32 metres, was too tall.
The Tomaree Ratepayers And Residents Association called the decision into question, saying it was double the agreed development ceiling reached in the 2012 Nelson Bay Strategy.
The group held a public forum to discuss building heights and the council’s proposed Nelson Bay Town Centre and Foreshore Strategy at the beginning of March, which attracted more than 300 people.
TRRA president Geoff Washington said his organisation is not “anti-development” but remained firmly opposed to lifting the lid on building heights.
“Local residents and visitors place high value on the coastal village ambience of Nelson Bay and the protection of view corridors to the wooded ridges and towards the Bay,” he said.
The former Caltex site, being used for car parking, is the only property Mr Salmon has no current development plans for.
He said he was keeping his eye on other properties in the Bay CBD, particularly ones around the cinema centre, which he could add to his portfolio.
“In the future, that might be 10 years, it has an opportunity to be quiet interesting,” he said.
Mr Salmon first invested his money in Port Stephens three years ago.
“I felt that Sydney property would start running out of steam and though ‘why not look further afield?’,” he said. “I was holidaying up there three years ago and hatched a plan to buy up some of these development sites and getting on with them.
“I'm well invested in the area, I'm really passionate about the area. I'm not coming in saying ‘lets see what we can do’, make some money and leaving. I'm hoping what we do is the right thing for the community.”
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Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
