LABOR would buy back Mambo Wetlands if it becomes NSW’s next state government, the party has pledged.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and Shadow Environment Minister Penny Sharpe made the commitment on Wednesday morning.
The pair said they would acquire the land, considered key koala habitat, if a progressing reversal of the sale falls over.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian in February indicated her government was examining whether buying back the wetlands is feasible.
Port Stephens Council had sought state intervention after a motion by Cr Jaimie Abbott, leading to Ms Berejiklian revealing state planners were looking for a pathway to acquire the property.
The government sold the land 18 months ago, with a development planned for the site withdrawn after a torrent of submissions.
A 14,000-signature petition has called for the land to go back into public hands, and is slated for discussion in Parliament on Thursday.
Ms Washington said the public message to the Liberal state government was clear.
“You should never have sold it, and now you must buy it back,” she said.
“If the Premier does not act before the election, then the next Labor government will buy back the land.”
Matt Carr
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
