More than 300 people attended a public forum in Nelson Bay last week, protesting the proposed changes to building height limits.
Proposals would see the current limits double, which would allow for buildings ten storey's high to be constructed anywhere in town.
Convener of the planning committee for the Tomaree Rate Payers and Residents Association, Nigel Waters, says that the meeting was a success.
"It was a very successful meeting, in terms of making council aware of the community's concerns."
Waters says that Mayor of Nelson Bay, Ryan Palmer, was not expecting the community's reaction.
"I think that he was a little bit surprised by the strength of the feeling," he said.
"He shouldn't have been because it's been clear for years that the community is very strongly opposed high-rise buildings in Nelson Bay."
Waters says that if the proposals go ahead, the tourist appeal would be damaged.
"It would completely spoil the character of The Bay, enjoyed both by the residents and by the many thousands of visitors we get every year."
Waters says that the battle isn't over yet, and the community must continue to fight back.
"We have to keep the pressure up and make sure that as many people as possible send in submissions during the consultation period, and then it becomes a question of the council making a decision, but we hope that they will see sense and realise that what they're proposing simply isn't what's either wanted or needed."
"We all want to see Nelson Bay thrive with some sort of growth, but high-rise is not the way."
