IT was flagged, prior to the Mambo Wanda Wetlands being returned to the public, that a small parcel of land adjacent to a public park that many believed was a park, was slated for sale by Council.

It enraged a community that was already fighting to save koala habitat in the area.

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The Mambo Wetlands Conservation Group and other members of the community have been galvanised to save the plot of land which is a koala corridor from the wetlands to the beach.

Koalas are regularly spotted in the trees of 109 Foreshore Drive.

It has been the site of protests and it currently has signs up calling for the community to contact the Mayor and let him know that the land is not for sale.

Saving the land and having it listed as public parkland was one of Leah Anderson’s election commitments.

Now it appears that Council may have had a change of heart as two mature gum trees have been planted on 109 Foreshore Drive last week.

Irene Jones of the Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group told News Of The Area, “We want to thank Council for planting the trees and we hope now this is a sign that this is a piece of land that needs to be reclassified.

“It is wonderful to see Council going to the effort of improving the quality of the environment at the site.”

Port Stephens Councillor Leah Anderson told News Of The Area, “I have made a promise to the community during my election campaign that I would stand up and fight for what was important to them.

“I know that 109 Foreshore Drive is very important.

“I know previous Cr John Nell fought for this several times also, unfortunately he was not successful.

“I want the community to know that I am listening, and have been listening for many years, and in my new capacity as East Ward Councillor, I have put forward a notice of motion to have 109 Foreshore Drive placed back in community hands.

“I hope that Cr Matthew Bailey and Cr Glen Dinkley, my fellow East Ward councillors, will support this notice of motion, as they should also know how important this is to our community.

“I also hope Mayor Ryan Palmer, a fellow East Ward Resident, is listening to the community and will support this re-classification of this iconic block of land.

“Please share this story far and wide, the sale of 109 Foreshore Drive should not happen, this land should be handed back to the community,” she said.

By Marian SAMPSON