Lands Minister Tony Kelly visited Port Macquarie to rule out any development of the controversial EOI site adjacent to Port Marina.

Port Macquarie MP Peter Besseling said there had been countless meetings, speeches in parliament, letters and submissions before reaching this point.

He said yesterday’s announcement meant the plan of management could focus on the car parking and access to the rest of the park.

It would be a foolish government that ignored the massive community consultation that had taken place, Mr Besseling said in terms of what the future might hold for the 2.37ha slice of land.

"The decision is a significant win for the community who have campaigned for many years to save the foreshore site from redevelopment," Mr Besseling, said.

The Port Macquarie MP has since presented to the Foreshore Lands Advisory Group (FLAG) a set of “guiding principles” he believes the Department of Lands needs to follow when determining how to manage the Hasting River foreshore.

“The Port Macquarie foreshore is as important to the people of our region as the Sydney Harbour is to Sydney-siders,” Mr Besseling said.