Ron McLachlan, president of the Port Stephens Park Residents Association which represents some 3000 residents across 18 parks, said the residents deserve better.

"We had about 200 people attend the draft regulation information seminar at Nelson Bay on January 13, hosted by Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox," Mr McLachlan said.

"This was followed up last Saturday with a meet and greet at Soldiers Point featuring the Port's three election candidates [Liberal's Ken Jordan, Labor's Kate Washington and The Greens' Rochelle Flood].

"Shadow Minister for Fair Trading Tania Mihailuk was also there."

Mr McLachlan said the new regulations would favour park owners, who he said were already making substantial profits by charging between $100 and $150 a week rent for a small parcel of land and common facilities.

"Under these changes owners will be given more power to increase rental fees and intimidate residents, many of whom are pensioners or retirees struggling financially with low interest rates," he said.

Ms Mihailuk said the Labor opposition raised 39 amendments during debate of the bill before it was passed in 2013, which were rejected by the government.

Ms Mihailuk claimed that "thousands of long-term residents will be left in a very vulnerable position as they will be faced with very little certainty in their accommodation and the potential threat of eviction from their homes".

Ms Washington said park residents deserve a legislative framework that gives them security and peace of mind.

"Residents risk excessive rent increases and additional charges that they cannot anticipate," she said.

Mr Jordan, who attended both meetings, said he believed the regulation had the right intentions "but with residents' concerns may need some tweaking".

Residents have until January 30 to make a submission to Fair Trading.