In what appears to have been a race between Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and her Liberal challenger Jaimie Abbott, both issued statements on Monday announcing their "public hands" pledges.

Ms Washington made her announcement at 10am, having prepared the ground over the weekend, while Ms Abbott put out a Facebook post earlier on Monday morning.

Ms Abbott's announcement was backed by a statement from Disability Services Minister Ray Williams, who Ms Washington had accused of prevaricating on the subject.

Just before noon on Monday, Mr Williams said the Coalition guaranteed Tomaree Lodge would remain in public hands.

"Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a Minister for Public Spaces yesterday, to make sure the government protects important public land for open space and community use," Mr Williams said.

"Tomaree Lodge is strongly supported by the local community and will be kept for community use and as open space.

"Residents are still being relocated from Tomaree Lodge, and the site is not expected to be vacant until late 2019 or early 2020. 

"Over this time, the NSW Liberals & Nationals will consult with the community on the best use for the site, and will ensure that public access is maintained."

A LABOR state government would keep Tomaree Lodge at Shoal Bay in public hands, Port Stephens MP Kate Washington has pledged.

And while the state government does not appear to have officially made its mind up about a future use of the site, Liberal candidate for Port Stephens Jaimie Abbott has also pledged to fight to keep the site in public hands, posting a message on Facebook shortly before Ms Washington made her announcement at 10am.

Tomaree Lodge is one of three large residential centres – along with the Stockton Centre and Kanangra at Morisset – that the Coalition state government has slated for closure as part of a wide shakeup of disability services.

It is understood that about 30 residents are still living at Tomaree.

The original time-frame drawn up in 2013 had all three centres closing by the middle of last year but the schedule has blown out considerably due to various delays.

Despite the desire of some of the residents and their families wishing their centres to remain open, Ms Washington – who is Labor’s spokesperson for disability services – said a Labor government would not reverse the closure process.

“After all that everyone has been through it would be just too disruptive,” Ms Washington said.

“But unlike what has happened so far through the transfer process, we will heed the advice of clinical experts to ensure steps are taken that are safe, and that there is consistent and constant consultation with staff, experts, advocates and loved ones.”

Ms Washington said unlike the Coalition, Labor would definitely keep the Tomaree site in public hands,

She was backing the efforts of eight community organisations that had banded together to form a Friends of Tomaree Headland group.

She said the group was working on a plan that would respect the history of the site – including its earlier military importance – and also utilise its links to Tomaree National Park and Great Lakes Marine Park.

Ms Abbott also cited the Tomaree group in her Facebook post.

Ms Washington said the Coalition had repeatedly declined to reveal its plans for Tomaree once it was closed as a disability centre, but she feared the intention was to sell.

She said Disability Services Minister Ray Williams had told parliament in May 2017 that both the Stockton Centre and Tomaree would be referred to the government agency Property NSW once they were vacant and surplus to needs.

“This is the agency whose job it is to sell ‘surplus’ government land,” Ms Washington said.

“Just over a week ago, Mr Williams said the government hadn’t made a decision on a final use of the site, even though it announced the closure more than five years ago.

“Either the government has something to hide, or it’s put this important issue in the too-hard basket.

“My position is clear. Under Labor, the Tomaree Lodge site will remain in public hands.

“I’m calling on the Berejiklian Government to come clean on its plans.

“After what we’ve seen happen at the Mambo Wetlands, we know they cannot be trusted to do the right thing with environmentally, culturally and historically important sites.”