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| Part of the Nelson Bay Foreshore. Image: Port Stephens Council. |
Port Stephens Council planners have recommended that an apartment block in Church Street be raised to 29-32 metres tall.
This recommendation is more than double the existing allowable height outlined by the Local Environment Plan. There is also concerns from residents that the council proposal is ignoring the review of the 2012 Nelson Bay Town and Foreshore Strategy.
Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association (TRRA) Vice Presdient, Dick Appleby says he is particularly concerned of the council trying to turn Nelson Bay into the next Gold Coast.
"We've done a survey and looked at the ABS figures and the occupancy rate, or rather the 'un-occupancy' rate for the apartments in the area stands at 76-78%," he said.
"We don't really agree with the idea of build it and they will come, we think the answer to it is to make what's here now more attractive, which was in the original 2012 strategy.
"We can't see the sense in having a comprehensive review of the strategy, calling all these consultant groups and public meetings regarding building height, and then not waiting for it to be finalised and seeing the results," Mr Appleby said.
The TRRA has assured the public they are not "anti-development' for Nelson Bay, rather they want to see the town prosper without the council's idea of 20-storey buildings throughout the CBD.
