Have your say on the future use of Tomaree Lodge

31 October 2022

The public is invited to have their say about the future use of the Tomaree Lodge site at Port Stephens with community consultation starting today.

Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the NSW Government is committed to keeping the site in public hands and is seeking feedback from local community and stakeholders on the best use for its future.

“The NSW Government recognises the importance of Tomaree Lodge to the Port Stephens community, and this consultation is vital to deciding the best future use of the site,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said. 

“We’re inviting the community to tell us how they think we can best plan the future of the site with a focus on the needs of the local community.”

The Department of Communities and Justice will run the consultation process which has been launched on the Have Your Say website starting today until 6 January, 2023.

Stakeholders are also invited to make suggestions, including Port Stephens Council, Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Aboriginal Land Council and local community groups.

The site was formerly home to a large residential centre for people with disabilities and was subject to a land claim by the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council.  A judgment handed down in the Land and Environment Court of NSW on 19 October ruled against the claim and determined the site be retained by the Minister.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin urged community members to embrace the chance to have their say.

“Tomaree Lodge is an important site with a rich history and the Port Stephens community is passionate about its future potential. It will be exciting to see what creative ideas are generated and I encourage anyone with an interest in the area to have their say," Mr Martin said.

The community can have their say here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/future-use-of-tomaree-lodge.