IN the Port Stephens Council meeting on 25 May 2021, Councillor Giacomo Arnott put forth a notice of motion to investigate the bus stop on Seaside Boulevard in Fern Bay.

At the most recent Council meeting on 12 April, a report into the bus stop was presented to Council.

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“Upon commencement of a bus service into the then new Fern Bay development, buses stopped on the road verge at a location on the western side of the Seaside Boulevard/Ironbark Drive roundabout.

“At this point in time, the bus route only extended into the development to the roundabout as this was the only means for buses to turn around and exit the development,” John Maretich, Asset Section Manager of Port Stephens Council said.

Council, in response to safety concerns, consulted with relevant stakeholders and received NSW State Government funding via the Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme to upgrade and formalise the bus stop via the construction of an indented bay in that location.

This was undertaken in 2013 and as the development of the estate increased in size and further road infrastructure was constructed, the bus route was revised by Transport for New South Wales.

The Fern Bay estate is a residential community title subdivision which is a state significant development and, as such, approvals have been determined by the NSW State Government (as the consent authority) and not Council.

The relocation of the bus stop has been considered at Local Traffic Committee meetings in March 2017 and May 2020 and via correspondence between relevant stakeholders.

Whilst the determination of bus stop locations is not a delegated function of the Local Traffic Committee, the members of the Local Traffic Committee have not supported the relocation of this bus stop.

“The scheduling and operation of buses is determined by bus companies in consultation with Transport for NSW,” Mr Maretich said.

“Council have been advised by bus companies that they have been working with the transport service to extend services into the estate and that until this has been approved, they have no choice but to continue to utilise the bus stop.

“Council has liaised with relevant stakeholders and has advocated on behalf of the residents, but such decisions do not fall within Council control,” Mr Maretich said.

Councillor Arnott expressed his frustration that there were still no plans for the bus stop at the meeting.

I’m quite irritated that there is still no outcome for this and there is still no relocation or reconstruction.

“Locals have identified an issue and identified a need, and obviously we’ve worked through the issue to see if there were any ways to deal with this, but I just think there might need to be stronger direction from Council to make sure something is done.

“As it is, this is not a good outcome for our local community,” Cr Arnott said.

Port Stephens Council and staff have stated that they will continue to liaise, advocate and seek support for the relocation of the bus stop in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

By Tara CAMPBELL