The owners of the land neighbouring the 'container village' in Anna Bay have lodged a new development application for an eco-tourist facility, estimated at $11.5 million.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to spokesperson Charles Tang for the owners Sandcastle One Pty Ltd, the new DA at 58 Gan Gan Road, is an "entirely different design" to the DA submitted by the same owner in September 2019.
The proposal, which is currently listed on the Port Stephens Council DA Tracker, is for 98 accommodation units, restaurant/bar, parking, performance space and guest facilities.
The site is next door to the unfinished Anna Bay Resort, which has been the subject of much community angst due to years of inaction and ongoing vandalism.
"The theme of this resort is 'Touch the Earth Gently', which features lightweight steel and glass eco-resort rooms which lift off the ground on the sandy beach, creating natural ventilation. It also has an abundance of solar panels... it is a truly an energy sustainable eco-tourism resort," Mr Tang said.
He said that the sand dunes in the background would create a unique feeling of living/camping in a safari sand desert.
"The common building has a cafe, a camp kitchen and a dining area, while the multi-functional area can also be used as Aboriginal cultural performance and local art exhibition spaces."
Central ward councillor Steve Tucker said that said that the area was in need of high quality accommodation providing jobs for locals and support for the village businesses.
The council's development and compliance manager Kate Drinan told the Examiner that the DA lodged in 2019 had been withdrawn and a new DA submitted.
"The site is zoned RU2 Rural Landscape [where] eco-tourist facilities are permitted. The DA will likely go on public exhibition some time in February."
She also said that the determining authority for the application was the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel, not Port Stephens Council.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.portstephensexaminer.com.au
- Follow us on Instagram @psexaminer
- Follow us on Twitter @PortExaminer
- Follow the Port Stephens Examiner on Facebook