Community access blocked by private development works on public land at Corlette Port Stephens Port Stephens News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - December 14, 2022December 14, 2022 The wall as viewed from the public beach. WHILE residents from around Port Stephens continue to be enraged at encroachment onto public foreshore land by private development works, Council has issued a stop work order for works being conducted at Corlette. Despite Council’s intervention, locals claim the order was ignored and works were completed. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Residents have expressed major concerns about the perceived lack of involvement from Council environmental staff in decision making regarding these works. The resident conducting works has property adjacent to the works and does not own the land on which the works are being conducted. Sandstone blocks are now blocking access to the foreshore and making access for any but the fittest impossible. There are no safety hand rails and there are now large steps preventing any disability access to the space. Local walker Margaret Wilkinson told News Of The Area, “I, and many others, can no longer use this space for regular walking because of the perilous safety conditions along that stretch. “Because of this too, young Mums with prams have to negotiate cars parked on the side of Sandy Point Road,” she said. It is understood that there is also interest from NSW Marine Parks (DPI) on the works. Council has advised that the matter is under investigation. At this stage Council does not have a plan or time frame for any remediation and refrained from making any further comment. By Marian Sampson The walled foreshore which obstructs access was not approved via a DA. The ramp has now been blocked with sandstone, making it unusable and a hazard.
It’s good to see Council have finally fixed up the grass at this location, it was sand with big holes in it after the last big storms we had. They should look at fixing the other spots down which are damaged towards Conroy Park like this as well. Reply