Some are happy to see Nelson Bay ‘go up’, others not so much.
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The reaction to proposals for 21 and 17 storey buildings in the Nelson Bay CBD have been met with mixed feelings.
Environmentalist Lia Pereira said it was preferable to see this kind of development when compared to urban sprawl.
“Every time we go out we take away more of the koala forest,” Mrs Pereira, the co-owner of Irukanji Shark and Ray Encounters, said.
“I’d rather see Nelson Bay go up so we can maintain our natural ecosystems.”
Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association said the proposals were troublesome.
“The TRRA has been stunned with what’s been revealed,” vice president Dick Appleby said.
“How can they be considering this and not tell us?”
The Examiner revealed details from Port Stephens Council’s expression of interest process last week, to develop its Donald Street car park sites.
It comes amid a review of the Nelson Bay Town Centre and Foreshore Strategy 2012. The document seeks to review why the precinct hasn’t progressed in the past four-plus years, with building heights being one of the topics of discussion.
“They’re obviously softening us up,” Mr Appleby said.
Tomaree Business Chamber president Ryan Palmer said 21 storeys was a “crazy proposition”.
“These can’t be preferred options for these sites,” he said.
“They are way out of the realm of what residents would accept.
“We’re only talking eight storeys on Church Street and even that’s a stretch for residents – even me.”
The council says height is only part of the discussion – see Opinion.
