Davistown wetlands for sale in ‘Tidal Shoals’ auction

RARE wetlands on the NSW Central Coast — valued at an estimated $124 million — could be sold off to developers within weeks.

Three parcels of land being sold off as a prime “development opportunity” in Davistown. The properties are wetlands.

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RARE wetlands at Davistown on land valued at $124 million could be sold off to developers within weeks.

More than 19.2 hectares of land at Davistown will go to auction in Sydney on October 24 — but not before a public meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the impacts of the plan.

Six parcels of land — containing endangered estuarine saltmarsh — are listed for sale under the name “Tidal Shoals” and described as an “opportunity for an astute investor or syndicate”

The blocks are in Lillipilli St, Pine Ave, Kincumber Cres, and Malinya Rd and are subject to a complicated and confusing land zoning.

Some of the land for sale has been signposted by the previous Gosford Council. Picture: Peter Clark

Central Coast Council maps show the land covered by a DM zone — which means “deferred matter”.

This zoning is an interim measure applying to rural sites earmarked by Council for its Coastal Open Space System.

Essentially the DM means that whatever rules applied to the land prior to the latest Local Environment Plan (LEP) will still apply — until a new environmental zone is established.

Real estate agents say the land is subject to either R2 zoning for low density residential or 7(a) conservation zone — which would preclude any major housing developments.

However, agents point to the development precedent set in 1992 when Alloura Waters Retirement Village built 200 apartments and villas along the same coastal stretch.

All of the blocks adjoin land which is zoned RE1 for public recreation.

Jeff Sundstrom, (centre), with concerned Davistown residents last year. Picture: Peter Clark

Newly elected Central Coast Councillor Jeff Sundstrom joined local residents concerned about the land sale in December last year.

Cr Sundstrom said he remained concerned about the plan and would attend Wednesday night’s public meeting.

“It’s not so much who owns the land — council or a private land holder — it’s about what the zoning is,” Mr Sundstrom said.

“The real danger is that someone buys the land and is successful in having it rezoned for multiple dwellings.

“That would certainly be detrimental to the environment and I understand the concerns of the local residents.

“Wetlands are so important to the health of the waterways.

■ The land auction is set down for October 24 at 10:30am, Mezzanine Level, 50 Margaret Street, Sydney.

■ The pubic meeting is at Davistown Progress Hall on October 11 from 7pm.

SALTMARSH FACTS

■ Saltmarshes occur at the upper levels of intertidal zones and are often found on the landward side of mangroves.

■ There are an estimated 118 hectares of saltmarsh left in the Gosford area — including some at Davistown and Saratoga.

■ Other examples are protected in small reserves at Cockle Bay, on Riley’s Island and on Pelican Island.

Davistown wetlands.

■ One of the interesting characteristics of salt marches is that they contain a small number of plant types but all of them are uniquely adapted to dealing with their salty environment.

■ Saltmarshes act as fish nurseries for some juvenile commercial fish and crab species and reduce the among of sediments and nutrients which run off into the estuary.

■ Saltmarshes are listed as Endangered Ecological Communities in NSW as they are in danger of becoming extinct.