FINGAL Bay has long been a sleepy quiet part of Port Stephens.

However, residents don’t want their village to be the ‘Forgotten Fingal’ that they fear is on the horizon if action is not taken by Port Stephens Council.

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‘Place Plans’ have been in development for a number of towns across Port Stephens, building on feedback from the 2020 Port Stephens Liveability Index.

Council describes a place plan as “an easy-to-read plan for the future of a place”, outlining the community’s vision for their place and actions to achieve that vision.

Councillor Leah Anderson has echoed residents’ concerns that Fingal Bay does not have a place plan in development.

“Residents want to know why Council does not have a place plan for Fingal and why there is no schedule of works in Council’s ten-year plan,” she said.

“Forgotten Fingal is being led by Heather Noonan and supported by Anita Hutchinson.

“They are long term Fingal residents, and are sick of seeing no money spent from Council, even though it is one of the most popular tourist destinations.

“They were not surprised to hear that in the Liveability Index, Fingal was the happiest community in the LGA (out of 91 respondents to a survey), because they agree it is a beautiful part of the world to live in, and they feel happy to live there.

“What they don’t agree with, is that Fingal is not on the list to get a place plan, which means Fingal will not be a focus of Council in terms of investment in local infrastructure any time soon.

“For other communities (for example Karuah), a place plan is putting them ‘on the map’ so to speak.

“There will be investment in parks, roads, amenities and pathways as Karuah has land that will be developed and the population will be increasing.

“Small communities like Fingal and Taylors Beach do not have much to look forward to anytime soon, hence why I encouraged them to apply for Public Access, and have their voices heard by this Council,” Anderson said.

By Marian SAMPSON