Port Stephens Council has issued notices to affected tenants to vacate the shops it has acquired by September 15.

Demolition of 106 Magnus Street is scheduled to begin on September 25.

“We’re very pleased this is now going to happen,” Nelson Bay NOW secretary Peter Clough said.

“When they push the building down its really going to open up the CBD to the waterfront.”

The Tomaree Business Chamber is one of the tenants at 106 along with a Korean restaurant.

Mr Clough, also a business development officer on the Tomaree Business Chamber, said the chamber executive was optimistic it would meet the deadline for vacancy.

The project will draw funds from a $6 million loan the council approved earlier this year.

“With these three shops gone, it will clear the way for Yacaaba Street to continue on beyond Magnus Street and join up at roundabout on Victoria Parade,” Mr Maretich said.

“This long-awaited project will help us improve the connection between the town centre and foreshore; a key principle of the Nelson Bay Town Centre and Foreshore Strategy.”

Preliminary road works are scheduled to begin in October, after which the council will set a construction date for the road works-proper.

Whether those roadworks will be complete by Christmas remains unclear.

“Council has identified this as a priority project, however, the construction and completion dates will depend on the relocation of utilities, land acquisitions and finding a suitable tenderer to deliver the works,” Mr Maretich said.