After the First World War (1914-18), calls for the development of Port Stephens intensified and land speculators turned their attention to the largely unoccupied lands on the northern shore of Port Stephens around Pindimar and North Arm Cove.

The largest proposed development on the northern shore of Port Stephens at the time was Pindimar City which was designed and laid out under the supervision of   W. Scott Griffiths, Town Planning Engineer, and H. Sheaffe, a licensed surveyor.

Proposal for a ‘City of Peace’ at Pindimar

An alternate proposal to Pindimar City was for the construction of a of ‘City of Peace’ at Pindimar.

The Construction and Local Government Journal of 14 October 1918, page 6, carried the following article on the proposed alternate development.

The article was written by George A. Taylor (Vice-President of the Planning Association of NSW) and is presented in full below:

‘Though Germany’s request for an armistice betokens the first sign of acknowledged defeat, still it does not portend any early cessation of hostilities. However, it is worth while taking the opportunity to look around and note possibilities of construction that peace will bring to Australia. The end of the war will mean much for Australian development as it will bring a great army of immigrants with the returning soldiers, …… hence we must look where we shall house the coming great, influx of population. There is no question that our capital cities are overcrowded: Sydney’s Metropolitan area, for instance, has a population of over 900,000, practically 50 per cent, of the population of the State, and even to-day it has a scarcity of houses estimated at about 10,000. …..

There, however, is no reason why the housing schemes, should be confined to the chief cities, in fact, the country is calling, loudly for decentralisation. At Tamworth this week, an important meeting is to be held to discuss the matter [New State Movement] and decide upon a suitable site upon which a city could be built to serve the Northern Districts. This talk of the building of a northern city brings into review certain suitable ports to which the northern products, could be despatched, and Port Stephens immediately appeals. There is no question of its excellence, especially as it has splendid deep water frontages, particularly at Pindimar, on the northern shore, where already steps are being taken to lay out a city area [Pindimar City], the ground being surveyed and planned by the most expert town planner in Australia, Mr. Scott Griffiths. The talk of the building of a city at Port Stephens is of particular interest just at present, with the prospect of Peace in the air, as it revives the agitation for a City of Peace referred to in the writer’s book, “Town Planning for Australia,” early in 1914.

At that time (before the war) I quoted the author of the scheme (H. C. Anderson), who considered that one of the most pressing questions of the age was, how best to further right and friendly relations between men and nations. “We would have this new city as an international centre, assimilating and distributing intellectual and scientific knowledge, from one people to all people, because it would go far towards creating peaceful economic relations, as well as towards facilitating practical co-operation between all men and all nations.” Where, then, could such a City of Peace be better built than in the only country that has never known war: viz., Australia?

Aerial view of the Proposed Peace City at Pindimar to be called ‘Salus City’ [Construction and Local Government Journal of 14 October 1918]

Hence those Australians who talk of building a new city to help decentralisation: to find an opening for the products of the Northern State; to help to house the multitudes of immigrants that will follow when the curtain of war shall have dropped, should look to the city that is suggested, being built at Pindimar, Port Stephens, as offering the best chance for every success.

The city that is being planned for Port Stephens is to be called “Salus City.” A better name could hardly be devised, as “Salus” means good health, as well as welfare and prosperity, and as good health is the basis of all national development, and welfare and prosperity go hand in hand with peace, no better name and no better time could be selected for the promulgation of this fine city-planning scheme. The name is also most euphonious, and as the City of Health and Peace, it should, suggest itself to those who desire to make a home not only where business is going to develop, but also where the best of health and recreation can be secured.

Plan of the Proposed City of Peace [Construction and Local Government Journal of 14 October 1918]

Referring to H. C. Anderson’s proposed City of Peace, we have pleasure in printing the plan’s. As will be seen by referring to the general plan, the Tower of Progress, rising in the midst of the Congress Square, forms the heart of both international centre and city. Long avenues, radiating from it in all directions, connect every part of the latter with the great monumental group. This last is divided from the residential, business and industrial quarters by a broad canal surrounding it on three sides and traversed by bridges.

The civic centre is situated in the first zone and lies opposite the terminal railway station. It is designed with a great square, which will be surrounded by public buildings. From this centre spread the principal boulevards upon which hotels, theatres, and the largest shops may be built. Thus, radiating from the Tower of Progress, the several parts of the city permit a new circulation from one to another, and provide the residents of each with the chief necessities conducive to health and the enjoyment of life.

In concluding my remarks on this scheme early in 1914, I stated: — ‘It is a magnificent scheme, gloriously ambitious; and yet, with the great development of town planning, and the consequent improvement of mankind, who can, in these rapid days of action, dare say it shall not be an accomplished fact within the present century. “The location of this World’s Centre has not yet been determined; but as it is to be the World’s City of Peace, what more appropriate location is there than Australia — the only Continent that has never known a war.” It now remains for Tamworth and the Northern Districts of the State to agitate for the location of the City of Peace at Pindimar, at Port Stephens, before other parts of Australia get busy and put in a claim.’

Concluding Comments

In the early years of the 20th century, there were various proposals floated for large residential and commercial land developments on the north shore of Port Stephens.

All the proposals were promoted by commercial companies and associated industry groups that hoped to gain lucrative financial rewards. None of the developments were successful.

Details of other major land developments proposed for the northern shores of Port Stephens can be viewed on this web site on the following subjects: The New State Movement, and the Planned Pindimar City.

Researched and compiled by Kevin McGuinness

November 2023