No Housing on Mambo Wetlands
Media Release from: Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group
16 November 2025
Council’s Report on the Salamander Bay Place Plan is to be presented at the next Council meeting on 25th November. Despite the community response stating loud and clear their many concerns with housing encroachment near Mambo Wetlands, Port Stephens Council has persisted with plans to knock down wetlands for housing.
The Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group, MWWCG, was alarmed to find that much of the southern area of the wetlands near Tomaree Library and Salamander Way has been included in plans for multi storey apartment blocks.
“We support council’s efforts to develop housing here in Port Stephens. However, we don’t believe pockets of Mambo Wetlands should be sacrificed for this purpose. Council is telling us that profits from their housing development will fund the future maintenance of the wetland. Selling off parts of the wetland, to save the wetland, makes no sense, ” said Irene Jones, President of the Mambo Wetlands group. “We can’t understand Council’s thinking on this.”
There are the physical risks of sea inundation and building on acid sulphate soils, not to mention that councils own mapping and signs indicate that this area is a koala corridor and an endangered wetland.
Mambo Wetlands provide a buffer against extreme weather events that have affected the surrounding Salamander Bay area in the past. At the very least Council should be exercising the Precautionary Principle which requires decision-makers to take precautionary measures in situations with scientific uncertainty to avoid potential environmental harm, a core element in environmental protection strategies worldwide.
The financial risks are also very real as councils are now being sued by developers and individuals for allowing housing development in high risk areas of flooding or fire.[1] The Central Coast, Byron Bay and Cronulla Shires are examples of this, and locally, residents of Salt Ash and Lagoons Estate have taken council to court over drainage issues. These threats apply in Mambo Wetlands as well.
Mayor Leah Anderson consulted widely with environment groups before her election, but has allowed this encroachment on Mambo Wetlands to continue to the concept DA Stage.
The Mayor’s response has been a major disappointment. Yes, there are pressures from the State government on housing but we don’t need to destroy our beautiful environment in the process.
[1] Class action against Council over flooding events planned – Central Coast News May 2021
(4) Video | Facebook Salt Ash residents intent for class action, September 2025
Tomaree library flooded Facebook May 2025