MEMBERS of the Tomaree Residents and Ratepayers Association (TRRA) have met recently and there was a lot on the meeting’s agenda.

Over 30 members of the public were in attendance including Mayoral Candidate for Port Stephens Leah Anderson, West Ward Councillor Giacomo Arnott and Central Ward Candidates Jason Wells and Kelly Hammond who were all keen to hear the concerns of the community.

Importantly was the issue of meeting the candidates for the Port Stephens Council elections which are being held in September 2021.

At this stage the TRRA plans to hold a ‘meet the candidates’ event on August 16 at 7pm at the Nelson Bay Bowling Club.

There were calls from the floor to hear from the Number 2 candidates on the tickets for any person who has nominated to be elected as the Mayor of Port Stephens.

Also up for discussion were the contentious Parklets at Shoal Bay with members from the floor calling for them to be relocated into the Yacabba Street Extension which would activate the space providing much needed seating in a controlled traffic area.

Port Stephens Council has already resolved to remove the parklets from the streetscape at Shoal Bay where they were causing some businesses considerable downturn in trade.

Also on the agenda were the Tomaree Gateway projects which are to be funded through a $5 million loan.

Smart Parking is still being discussed as the electronic signs are about to be turned on.

Like the parklets at Shoal Bay there has been resistance by some businesses in the township of Nelson Bay in relation to the paid parking scheme which is designed to capture $5 million dollars to be used on improvements to the CBD location.

Geoff Washington and Nigel Waters both addressed the meeting and the guest speaker was Peter Clough, President of the Tomaree Headland Heritage Group who spoke about the long term vision for the site.

 

By Marian SAMPSON