“For the past year, the community has been calling for the State Government to act.

“Today I am pleased to say that Premier Gladys Berejiklian has written to inform me that the Minister for Planning, the Hon Anthony Roberts MP, has instructed the Department of Planning to investigate the feasibility of purchasing the site through the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme,” Mayor Palmer said.

“News of the Minister for Planning stepping in to see if he can initiate a buyback is positive for Council, as land acquisitions are an onerous process. This will undoubtedly be made easier with the Minister’s assistance.

“I want to thank Councillor Jaimie Abbott for her Notice of Motion, which enabled Port Stephens Council to send a powerful, unanimous message to the State Government about the significance of the Mambo wetlands.

“While I recognise that this process is in its early stages and details are yet to be finalised, it’s still a breakthrough for the community to finally have the NSW Government on the same page.

“This land was sold when Mike Baird was Premier, and the more consultative approach Premier Berejiklian is taking with local Councils seems to be behind this move with Mambo.

“Port Stephens Council wants to work with the State Government to get the best possible outcome for the Mambo wetlands. I believe this will be to have Council as the trustee when the land is reacquired, and to incorporate the land into the larger reserve.

“This letter from the Premier is a huge and positive step forward and we are now on the pathway to resolving this issue,” he said.