Mayor finds middle ground
Well done to Mayor Ryan Palmer and his fellow councillors for their achievement of finalising the Nelson Bay CBD strategy.
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The compromise of an eight-storey limit around the edges of the CBD, while retaining lower heights in the core, is a sensible one.
Despite the constant harping of the vocal minority opposed to the changes, the councillors did not succumb to the pressure and did what was in the best interest of the whole community.
This wouldn’t have been easy.
While the eight-storey limit is a necessary inducement to encouraging investment in the Nelson Bay CBD, I don’t believe it is necessarily sufficient to ensuring such investment.
A more positive, less bureaucratic approach by Port Stephens Council (PSC) where investors are assisted through the development process would help.
PSC should be doing whatever it can to assist potential investors.
I am sure the local community is looking forward to greater investment in Nelson Bay, a more vibrant town with more jobs and less vacant shops.
Once again “well done” to the Mayor and his fellow councillors and PSC, in general.
Paul Attard, Nelson Bay
Port focus in wider vision
People in Port Stephens should be interested in the newly released Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan (GNMP) 2018-2036 (The Herald, September 17) by the NSW government setting down the plan and strategies for the development of the Lower Hunter Region.
From first reading of the 88 – page document, I may say that the Port, among four other regional councils, will play a key role in the GNMP, providing the strategically important Newcastle Airport, at Williamtown, its passenger infrastructure, its defence and aero-industries.
Raymond Terrace will be a strategic centre for administration, services, jobs and housing, and is included as a major health precinct within the GNMP health network (interestingly not Salt Ash nor Medowie, even though Medowie is within the GNMP frame).
Nelson Bay will be a strategic centre for tourism, recreational and retirement living with appropriate density and liveable housing.
Other towns and villages will support the Port's population growth in number and age, and provide local jobs and services.
Obviously there is more in the GNMP for anyone interested.
It will be interesting to know how our local politicians and Port Stephens Council will respond to the GNMP.
Ernest To, Medowie
Back to school joy
A big thank-you is extended to St Michael’s Primary School, Nelson Bay for the very warm welcome from the principal, staff and children for the first Grandparent’s Day, which was very well supported by many proud grandparents.
We were entertained by the smiling faces of pupils dancing, singing and reciting poems written in our honour.
A celebration cake was cut by two grandparents and their two grandchildren.
We then visited the classrooms and viewed the good work and changes in our education system since our school days. Computers in the rooms - wow!
The bell sounded and we were treated to a lovely lunch which was a nice surprise as my granddaughter had informed me lunch [would be] a sausage in bread.
We watched the students participate in playground activities which I thought was a wonderful way to end the school term.
I feel more appreciated and proud to be a grandmother and will be looking forward to future events.
Carolyn Lewis, Soldiers Point.
Read more: Letters to the Editor: September 27
Read more: Letters to the Editor: September 20