A push to protect 109 Foreshore Drive Salamander Bay from future development was thwarted at the Port Stephens Council meeting on Tuesday night.
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While the mayor Ryan Palmer formally withdrew his proposal to sell the waterfront parcel of land opposite Mambo Wetlands councillor John Nell was unable to find the support to put the land out of reach once and for all.
Cr John Nell urged councillors to support his notice of motion to reclassify the land for community use but Cr Steve Tucker found the numbers to defer it, eager to see funds for Tomaree Sports Complex.
Cr Tucker moved an amendment seconded by deputy mayor Chris Tucker to defer the matter for up to 12 months to investigate how the upgrade might otherwise be started if not from the lot sale.
"I don't want to see the block sold either but I understand there is a push to fund the Tomaree Sports Complex masterplan," Cr Tucker said.
"What I would like to do, rather than see it come to a vote, is to defer the reclassification pending the ongoing investigation of funding sources.
"I would rather see it deferred rather than have it come to a vote and see it defeated.
"If we find alternative funding i would happily see it come back so that it can be reclassified."
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Cr Giacomo Arnott said he disappointed, firstly that a site inspection had not been arranged the last time the matter was deferred, and secondly that two issues were being confused.
"My view is that we need to reclassify this land," he said.
"Councillors, if you have paid attention to your emails you will know how the community feels about this, there is a lot of angst and stress."
Cr Arnott urged the councillors to treat the reclassification and funding separately.
"This motion in front of us has absolutely noting to do with the sports complex," he said.
"This is dealing with waterfront land that is marketed and maintained as waterfront land and it should be maintained as such for the public."
Cr Nell spoke against the amendment.
"While it's a nifty idea to defer this for 12 months to investigate alternative funding sources I'm sure we will find another way," he said.
"I think the community would be happier to pay increased rates rather than sell this land.”
Cr Nell said such a sale would set a dangerous precedent. He noted council’s current policy where 70 per cent of its land sale proceeds were re-invested and the balance allocated for ward funding expenditure.
"The best way to go is to stick to our investment structure,” he said.
“Once you start selling land to invest [all the proceeds] in projects its a slippery slope and in 10 years time you'll turn around and find you have no land left.”
The amendment was carried and formally adopted.
