200 attend public rally to save 109 Foreshore Drive, Salamander Bay

The crowd, made up of families, children and adults of all ages, was there to protest Port Stephens Council's decision on February 22 to sell off the 557 sqm waterfront property to developers.

The land, valued at $2.6 million, is currently zoned R2 (low density residential) and an attempt to block the sale of five councillors at the last meeting failed.

Councillors Leah Anderson Giacomo Arnott, Jason Wells, Peter Francis and Peter Kafer successfully lodged a rescission motion after the meeting and the issue is expected to be debated at council's next meeting on Tuesday, March, 8.

The vote was lost when mayor Ryan Palmer used his casting vote along with councillors Matt Bailey, Steve Tucker, Chris Doohan and Glen Dunkley after more than 100 minutes of debates, amendments, notices of motions and voting.

Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group secretary Kathy Brown she was overwhelmed with the support of the community in favour of retaining the land for conservational and environmental purposes.

"Over many years this block at 109 Foreshore Drive has been defended in the council chambers against councillors who see it as a quick cash fix, first for a sports complex and now toilet blocks and roadworks in other parts of the LGA," Ms Brown said.

"We organised the rally and family picnic, as this could be the last opportunity the public has to defend this popular park and access point for Salamander Bay."

The group's Irene Jones said that they had 284 people sign the attendance sheet, noting that "many others including our committee and councillors did not sign".

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