01-08-2025
Port Stephens Council looks to sell off land to pay for road repairs
Port Stephens Council is considering selling off 11 parcels of land to help raise funds for the repair of its pothole-plagued road network.
The land, classified as disused road reserves, is spread across the local government area.
Lots range from prime waterfront at 201 Soldiers Point Road, Salamander Bay, to a road reserve at Six Mile Road, Eagleton.
The council has committed to spending $29 million on its Roads Acceleration Program (RAP) over the next three years, but it is about $10 million short.
The funding sources include the existing road investment of $3 million, $7.1 million from the special rate variation, $10 million in state and federal grant funding, the reallocation of up to $3 million from the natural disaster reserve and the proceeds from the sale of surplus land previously approved by the council.
The original RAP investment was $20 million; however, the council voted on June 11 to commit an additional $9 million over the next three years. The funds will be distributed evenly across the local government area.
"We've been working hard to find ways to fast-track road improvements across Port Stephens," acting director of facilities and infrastructure Phil Miles said.
"Selling surplus road reserves is one way we can raise additional funds to repair and improve our roads."
Not everyone is happy with the proposed sell-off.
Salamander Bay residents have launched a petition calling for 199 and 201 Soldiers Point Road to be removed from the list.
"The proposed sale would negatively impact our community by reducing access to recreational space, disrupting the local ecosystem, and diminishing the overall quality of life and visual amenity in our neighbourhood," the petition says.
"We urge Port Stephens Council to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions that prioritise the needs of the community and the environment."
Corlette resident Grant Kennett said he doubted all of the blocks would be sold.
"Experience tells me that what people fear is going to happen doesn't always happen. Generally speaking, you end up with a bit of a compromise," he said.
"I suspect all of the blocks won't be sold; I think they (the council) will take whatever they can get."
The reserves identified for potential closure and sale are now on public exhibition.
A formal resolution from the council will be required to sell the land at market value, which would be determined by an independent valuer.
Any funds raised from the sale of the reserves could only be used for the repair and upgrade of the road network.
Port Stephens Council is considering selling off 11 parcels of land to help raise funds for the repair of its pothole-plagued road network.
The land, classified as disused road reserves, is spread across the local government area.
Lots range from prime waterfront at 201 Soldiers Point Road, Salamander Bay, to a road reserve at Six Mile Road, Eagleton.
The council has committed to spending $29 million on its Roads Acceleration Program (RAP) over the next three years, but it is about $10 million short.
The funding sources include the existing road investment of $3 million, $7.1 million from the special rate variation, $10 million in state and federal grant funding, the reallocation of up to $3 million from the natural disaster reserve and the proceeds from the sale of surplus land previously approved by the council.
The original RAP investment was $20 million; however, the council voted on June 11 to commit an additional $9 million over the next three years. The funds will be distributed evenly across the local government area.
"We've been working hard to find ways to fast-track road improvements across Port Stephens," acting director of facilities and infrastructure Phil Miles said.
"Selling surplus road reserves is one way we can raise additional funds to repair and improve our roads."
Not everyone is happy with the proposed sell-off.
Salamander Bay residents have launched a petition calling for 199 and 201 Soldiers Point Road to be removed from the list.
"The proposed sale would negatively impact our community by reducing access to recreational space, disrupting the local ecosystem, and diminishing the overall quality of life and visual amenity in our neighbourhood," the petition says.
"We urge Port Stephens Council to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions that prioritise the needs of the community and the environment."
Corlette resident Grant Kennett said he doubted all of the blocks would be sold.
"Experience tells me that what people fear is going to happen doesn't always happen. Generally speaking, you end up with a bit of a compromise," he said.
"I suspect all of the blocks won't be sold; I think they (the council) will take whatever they can get."
The reserves identified for potential closure and sale are now on public exhibition.
A formal resolution from the council will be required to sell the land at market value, which would be determined by an independent valuer.
Any funds raised from the sale of the reserves could only be used for the repair and upgrade of the road network.
Port Stephens Council is considering selling off 11 parcels of land to help raise funds for the repair of its pothole-plagued road network.
The land, classified as disused road reserves, is spread across the local government area.
Lots range from prime waterfront at 201 Soldiers Point Road, Salamander Bay, to a road reserve at Six Mile Road, Eagleton.
The council has committed to spending $29 million on its Roads Acceleration Program (RAP) over the next three years, but it is about $10 million short.
The funding sources include the existing road investment of $3 million, $7.1 million from the special rate variation, $10 million in state and federal grant funding, the reallocation of up to $3 million from the natural disaster reserve and the proceeds from the sale of surplus land previously approved by the council.
The original RAP investment was $20 million; however, the council voted on June 11 to commit an additional $9 million over the next three years. The funds will be distributed evenly across the local government area.
"We've been working hard to find ways to fast-track road improvements across Port Stephens," acting director of facilities and infrastructure Phil Miles said.
"Selling surplus road reserves is one way we can raise additional funds to repair and improve our roads."
Not everyone is happy with the proposed sell-off.
Salamander Bay residents have launched a petition calling for 199 and 201 Soldiers Point Road to be removed from the list.
"The proposed sale would negatively impact our community by reducing access to recreational space, disrupting the local ecosystem, and diminishing the overall quality of life and visual amenity in our neighbourhood," the petition says.
"We urge Port Stephens Council to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions that prioritise the needs of the community and the environment."
Corlette resident Grant Kennett said he doubted all of the blocks would be sold.
"Experience tells me that what people fear is going to happen doesn't always happen. Generally speaking, you end up with a bit of a compromise," he said.
"I suspect all of the blocks won't be sold; I think they (the council) will take whatever they can get."
The reserves identified for potential closure and sale are now on public exhibition.
A formal resolution from the council will be required to sell the land at market value, which would be determined by an independent valuer.
Any funds raised from the sale of the reserves could only be used for the repair and upgrade of the road network.
Port Stephens Council is considering selling off 11 parcels of land to help raise funds for the repair of its pothole-plagued road network.
The land, classified as disused road reserves, is spread across the local government area.
Lots range from prime waterfront at 201 Soldiers Point Road, Salamander Bay, to a road reserve at Six Mile Road, Eagleton.
The council has committed to spending $29 million on its Roads Acceleration Program (RAP) over the next three years, but it is about $10 million short.
The funding sources include the existing road investment of $3 million, $7.1 million from the special rate variation, $10 million in state and federal grant funding, the reallocation of up to $3 million from the natural disaster reserve and the proceeds from the sale of surplus land previously approved by the council.
The original RAP investment was $20 million; however, the council voted on June 11 to commit an additional $9 million over the next three years. The funds will be distributed evenly across the local government area.
"We've been working hard to find ways to fast-track road improvements across Port Stephens," acting director of facilities and infrastructure Phil Miles said.
"Selling surplus road reserves is one way we can raise additional funds to repair and improve our roads."
Not everyone is happy with the proposed sell-off.
Salamander Bay residents have launched a petition calling for 199 and 201 Soldiers Point Road to be removed from the list.
"The proposed sale would negatively impact our community by reducing access to recreational space, disrupting the local ecosystem, and diminishing the overall quality of life and visual amenity in our neighbourhood," the petition says.
"We urge Port Stephens Council to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions that prioritise the needs of the community and the environment."
Corlette resident Grant Kennett said he doubted all of the blocks would be sold.
"Experience tells me that what people fear is going to happen doesn't always happen. Generally speaking, you end up with a bit of a compromise," he said.
"I suspect all of the blocks won't be sold; I think they (the council) will take whatever they can get."
The reserves identified for potential closure and sale are now on public exhibition.
A formal resolution from the council will be required to sell the land at market value, which would be determined by an independent valuer.
Any funds raised from the sale of the reserves could only be used for the repair and upgrade of the road network.
