Port Stephens Council's plans to double the building heights in part of the Nelson Bay town centre faces its final hurdle with the recent release of the planning proposal for public exhibition.
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As part of its plans to revitalise the town centre, the council has set out amendments to its Development Control Plan and Local Environment Plan which includes an increase in height limits to allow up to 12-storey buildings.
The public has until July 30 to make submissions on the proposals.
And while the Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association (TRRA) has pledged its support to most new planning requirements such as setbacks, active street frontages in the core of the CBD, landscaping and design excellence, they continue to vehemently oppose any increase in building heights.
"This is the final stage of a long running and contentious saga about Nelson Bay building heights," said TRRA spokesperson Geoff Washington.
"We welcome most of the changes on exhibition but we oppose changes that would allow 8 to 12 storey buildings in different areas of the town."
Following the harsh criticisms of council for their the lack of consultation with businesses on the paid parking scheme for Nelson Bay town centre, the TRRA has urged the council to heed the community sentiment and acknowledge the strong and consistent opposition to any proposed building height increases.
"The council claims to be responding to what the community wants but doesn't even mention in the 'Community Guide' that more than 2000 submissions in 2018 (or 90 per cent) of which objected to major increases in building heights," Mr Washington said.
"The council cover page states that 'the community has told us what they want in a reinvigorated centre and the vision for Nelson Bay'. But they did not want high rise."
Mr Washington said the market had consistently demonstrated that high rise apartment buildings were not the way to revitalise a town.
"Existing medium rise apartments have very low occupancy rates, which has been confirmed by the Census," he said.
"The two tall buildings approved in recent years (at twice the existing height limit) have failed to proceed - their only legacy being the crane on Church Street that hasn't lifted a single brick in four years.
"The most likely outcome is further stagnation as landowners hold out for the remote prospect of windfall profits. If buildings are ever built to the new height limits, the character of our town will be irrevocably changed for the worse."
Mr Washington said that other coastal resort towns such as Kiama, the Sunshine Coast and Sydney's Northern Beaches had in recent years adopted much lower maximum heights of 2-4 storeys.
"The market preference for this scale is clearly demonstrated by the many successful developments in these localities. The result has been an appealing, liveable urban character."
Civic Pride member Margaret Wilkinson described the draft strategy as a "last chance for the community to stop the high rise proposal in Nelson Bay".
"What Nelson Bay really needs is bigger retail spaces (and parking) available to lease, not residential high-rise," she said.
Ms Wilkinson said she had serious concerns with the Public Domain Plan.
"I believe the plan calls for less parking; more like Maitland, and funded by the paid parking metres. I like the plan but it's going to cost millions of dollars over a long period of time to implement."
A council spokesperson said that the Public Domain Plan was complemented by a traffic and parking study and the report of the Independent Citizens Parking Study.
"Recommendations of these studies have been included in the package of works to be funded by the smart parking scheme, which was endorsed by council on May 12, 2020, and will deliver improved parking and traffic outcomes for Nelson Bay."
Submissions can be lodged in writing to Port Stephens Council until 5pm on July 30 at PO Box 42, Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 or via email at RevitaliseNB@portstephens.nsw.gov.au.
