Plan for $18m eco-tourist facility with 247 hotel-style units at Anna Bay withdrawn
A multi-million dollar development - right near a controversial Port Stephens resort - was set to include a swimming pool, children’s playground, restaurant and more. But now the planned facility has been taken off the table.
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Plans for a new $18 million eco-tourist facility in Port Stephens have been withdrawn.
Sandcastle One Pty Ltd backed out of a proposal, set for 58 Gan Gan Rd, Anna Bay, after Port Stephens Council requested further information on the development before Christmas.
The multi-million dollar development — right near the controversial Anna Bay Resort which is up for sale — had proposed to construct 247 hotel-style and townhouse accommodation units.
It would include open park and green spaces, a swimming pool, gym, spa facilities, children’s playground, restaurant and bar, cafe, retail spaces and recreational sites.
The proposal also had direct access to sand dunes and easy access to a number of different natural and cultural experiences.
Port Stephens Cr Sarah Smith admits if done right it could have been amazing, but being right next door to the derelict Anna Bay resort, it is in a sensitive location on the sand dunes.
“If someone could come in and do something really great, get it off the ground, it would create jobs and provide better facilities for people coming to Anna Bay,” she said.
“Something done right would be great, keeping with the environmental factors.
“The other facility is a joke and it has gone on and on.”
The neighbouring site has been subject to much community anger due to years of inaction and vandalism, with the council forced to take the developer to the Land and Environment Court to ensure movement on its sale.
“We’re the most visited location in Port Stephens at the beach at Birubi,” Cr. Smith said.
“It is the entrance to our town so it is something everyone sees when they come in.”
President of the South Tomaree Community Association Christine Mitchell said they have welcomed news the new proposal has been withdrawn.
“We’re happy to see it withdrawn. Hope we don’t see it’s back again,” she added.
“It didn’t meet being an eco-tourism facility, so we’re very happy with the result.”
Ms Mitchell said they opposed the eco-tourism facility when it was submitted with Council in October last year.
“You don’t put facilities like that on sand dunes,” she said.
“The other facility is a blight on the landscape. It’s disgusting.
“Hopefully one day they can sell it.”