Port Stephens residents are gearing up for the "fight of their lives" following yet another proposal for high-rise seniors residential living at the former Colonial Ridge estate in Salamander Bay's Fleet Street.
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The applicant, Salamander Bay Projects, has two development applications currently before Port Stephens Council.
The first application is for 30 units costing $11.5 million, while a second proposal for 69 multi-level development has been estimated at $16.1 million.
Included in the costs are landscaping, demolition and earth works on the former Fleet Street caravan park development site.
Members of the Salamander Bay Community Group say there is no place for a development on this scale in their quiet neighbourhood.
"This proposal changes the type of development that residents expect to see in their suburb," said group president Colin Howard.
"The application calls for a redevelopment of the site, replacing the old single level cottages with multiple apartment blocks that are more suited to a CBD environment."
When an application was lodged by the developer in March 2018, the developers had intended to seek a variation to maximum building heights under clause 4.6 of the local environment plan.
Architect and investor Warwick Lindsay said at the time that "we wanted to develop the whole site but we found out we can only develop a third. We've ensured that it's no higher than the hill."
Mr Howard said that residents were not against more seniors living in the Bay, "in fact we applauded the initial stage of development".
The community group is organising a public meeting to discuss the issues to be held at the Soldiers Point Bowling Club on Sunday, April 7, from 4pm.
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