THE land known to Hawks Nest locals as ‘The Koala Corridor’ on either side of Myall Street has been sold.

For the first time in decades, the privately owned land near the Singing Bridge adjoining the Jean Shaw Koala Reserve has been sold by Commercial Collective, being deemed as “a beachside village development opportunity”.

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This news has not been taken lightly with many taking to social media to voice their opinions and advocate against development in the area.

Kate Washington MP for Port Stephens strongly encouraged the NSW Government to purchase the land urging buyers to consider the Koalas.

“There are significant environmental restrictions on the use of the land but some development is still allowed.

“For the survival of local koalas, I believe any development of this patch is unacceptable,” she wrote.

Unfortunately for Ms Washington and many other residents the land was announced as sold on 9 July.

In a statement to social media Ms Washington wrote, “Sorry folks, I have difficult news- the beautiful tree koala corridor at Hawks Nest has sold.

“We don’t know who bought it, or their plans for the site but they need to know that we will be watching – our community will not cop any inappropriate development.”

The land borders residential areas in Hawks Nest and falls into a mix of zoning, primarily for low and medium density residential and environmental conservation.

The northern land is E2 environmental conservation which limits development to ‘providing the highest level of protection, management and restoration for such land whilst allowing uses compatible with those values’.

By Tara CAMPBELL