THE Planning Proposal for 42 Fullerton Cove has been amended and endorsed.

The planning proposal seeks to enable the development of a neighbourhood centre to service the residents of Fullerton Cove and Fern Bay, consistent with actions of the Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy.

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Council resolved to rezone the subject land from RU2 Rural Landscape to part B1 Neighbourhood Centre and part C2 Environment Conservation.

Rezoning of the land will allow for the development of a supermarket and other retail shops, subject to a separate development application.

The minimum lot size has also been removed and a new height of building limit of nine metres has been introduced.

In an amendment to the motion that was unanimously supported, West Ward Councillor Giacomo Arnott requested the Department of Planning and Environment, in the making of the Plan, introduce a new local provision limiting future commercial development to a maximum gross floor area of 7,000 square metres.

Cr Arnott added this due to “the NSW Government’s Special Activation Progressing and development in Fern Bay and Fullerton Cove accelerating leading to a predicted increase in residents and travellers in the area which would be able to sustain a larger shopping precinct”.

The planning proposal will be submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment requesting they exercise their plan making authority to amend the Port Stephens Local Environment Plan.

Brock Lamont, Port Stephens Council’s Strategy and Environment Section Manager, said the planning proposal has considered the impacts of flooding, bushfire, acid sulfate soils, contamination and heritage, and demonstrated that the rezoning is compatible with the characteristics of the land.

Additionally, he says there are no significant adverse environmental effects expected as a result of this proposal.
“The zone boundaries have been informed by various ecological assessments.

“The proposed B1 zone land is predominantly cleared of vegetation, and does not include identified koala habitat and/or corridors, significant native vegetation, endangered ecological communities, threatened species or habitat,” Mr Lamont said.

“The proposed C2 zone will also conserve the more vegetated areas of the site and habitat connectivity with other vegetated areas.”

By Tara CAMPBELL