Rezoning & Sale – 27 Campbell Ave
LAST EDITED
31 August 2026
Port Stephens Council has approved a planning proposal to rezone 27 Campbell Avenue from public recreation to low-density residential and reclassify it from community to operational land, enabling its potential future sale.
STATUS
On 25 August 2026, Council approved the planning proposal to proceed. The proposal must now undergo the State Government Gateway process and public exhibition before the land can be rezoned or reclassified.
No final rezoning or sale has occurred.
DETAILS
27 Campbell Avenue is Council-owned land currently classified as community land and zoned RE1 Public Recreation.
On 25 August 2026, Port Stephens Council approved a planning proposal covering eight Council-owned sites, including 27 Campbell Avenue. For this site, the proposal seeks to change the zoning to R2 Low Density Residential and reclassify the land from community to operational. These changes would allow residential development and enable Council to consider selling the land.
STCA asked Council to defer the proposal until Anna Bay’s future community needs could be assessed through the place-planning process. STCA also requested that, if the land is eventually sold, the proceeds be retained for projects benefiting the Anna Bay community.
These concerns were presented at Council’s Public Access session on 11 August 2026. Council advised that proceeds from surplus land sales are intended to support road upgrades and maintenance through its Roads Acceleration Program, but it has not committed to spending the proceeds from this site within Anna Bay.
The planning proposal must now proceed through the relevant State Government planning process, including Gateway assessment and public exhibition, before any rezoning or reclassification is finalised.
WHY IT MATTERS
Once community land is reclassified as operational land, it can potentially be sold and developed.
STCA is concerned that selling the site before Anna Bay’s future needs are assessed could permanently remove land that may be valuable for community facilities, recreation, open space or other local purposes. The proposal also raises the question of whether money raised from the sale of land in Anna Bay should be reinvested in the local community.
STCA POSITION
STCA believes the rezoning and potential sale of 27 Campbell Avenue should be paused until a Community Needs Assessment is undertaken as part of the Anna Bay place-planning process.
If Council ultimately decides to sell the land, STCA believes the proceeds should be retained and used for projects benefiting the Anna Bay community.
STCA ACTION
STCA has:
Reviewed the proposed rezoning and reclassification.
Raised the matter directly with Council.
Presented its concerns at Council’s Public Access session on 11 August 2026.
Asked Council to defer the proposal until Anna Bay’s community needs have been assessed.
Requested that any future sale proceeds be retained for projects within Anna Bay.
Continued to monitor the planning proposal and opportunities for community consultation.
WHAT CAN I DO?
The community will have an opportunity to comment when the planning proposal is placed on public exhibition.
Residents can:
Follow STCA for notification when submissions open.
Consider how the site might contribute to Anna Bay’s future community needs.
Make a submission during the public exhibition period.
Tell STCA whether they support retaining the land and, if it is sold, how the proceeds should benefit Anna Bay.
TIMELINE
Next step – The proposal proceeds through the State Government Gateway assessment process.
25 Aug 2026 – Council approved the planning proposal covering eight Council-owned sites, including 27 Campbell Avenue.
11 Aug 2026 – STCA raised its concerns and requests at Council’s Public Access session.