The plans for a one-way street northbound to extend from Yacaaba Street, concept five in the proposal, garnered a strong response during public exhibition, with 18 submissions made to Port Stephens Council, including a petition with 110 signatures objecting to the design.

Nelson Bay businessman David Monin led the petition charge and said he was disappointed council staff ignored the community in its decision to recommend concept five for the street extension.

"We are for an extension but not in the format of concept five," he said.

"It has space for commercial building content and we don't like the alignment of the road.

"There is also no provision for connecting the current footpaths."

In 2012, the council bought land between Magnus Street and Victoria Parade, to advance plans to connect the town centre with the foreshore.

Councillors were to vote on the design at Tuesday night's Port Stephens Council meeting.