Port Stephens Council and the state government spent $1.3 million to bring the facilities at Lemon Tree Passage into the future.

The project included an additional lane on the existing boat ramp, replacement of the existing wharf with a new pontoon to house a sewage pump-out unit, and upgrade of the car park at the site.

"The Tilligerry Peninsular is a hugely popular launching area for fishing and leisure boats," the mayor of Port Stephens, Cr Bruce MacKenzie said.

"What our boat users now have is a state of the art facility that will benefit both residents and visitors alike."

The state government contributed $900,000 through the NSW Boating Now program. Council chipped in with the $400,000 balance.

"Attracting this NSW Government funding has been a priority for council and the resulting upgrade, which our staff have delivered is an absolute credit to the area," Cr MacKenzie said.

"We've recently been successful in securing a number of other state grants for major projects across Port Stephens and the local community will see these role out over the coming months."

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, helped open the facility just in time for peak tourist season.

“This is about giving Port Stephens boaties what they need –quality facilities and continued improvements in safety and accessibility,” he said.

“We know more and more people are going boating in NSW every year which is why this upgrade is so important.”

Mr MacDonald said the NSW Government provided $37.5 million from NSW Boating Now to support delivery of the 192 Priority Regional Projects identified in the 11 Regional Boating Plans.

“An additional $10 million has also been set aside for major projects, $5 million for boat trailer parking initiatives and another $10 million for the delivery of second round projects in the past two years of this program,” Mr MacDonald said.

For more information about NSW Boating Now or the Better Boating program visit the Roads and Maritime website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects.