Port Stephens Council resolved to spend $120,000 on better playground facilities for Shoal Bay but it gave people a choice: Keep it at the old site or shift it across the road to the Bernie Thompson Reserve.

Out of the 151 votes in the public poll, 46 per cent wished for it to stay put while 54 per cent were in favour of the move. 

The council’s community and recreation coordinator Brock Lamont said the community’s feedback had been invaluable.

“Shoal Bay is a beautiful and very popular destination but the current playground is outdated and isn’t suitable for children of different ages and abilities,” he said.

“In fact, residents and visitors often travel to Nelson Bay or Fingal Bay to use their playground facilities instead.

“Council has set aside $120,000 to replace the playground, but we wanted to make sure it is built in the best location to meet the community’s needs.”

Mr Lamont said the new location’s biggest drawcard was shade, and with it, more space to play.

“The feedback has been clear that Bernie Thompson Reserve offers children a larger area to play, and the space also benefits from lots of natural shade from trees,” he said.

“Some people raised concerns about the need to remove trees if the playground is built at the Reserve. To make sure this doesn’t happen, we are only considering playground designs that do not require tree removal.”

Construction is expected to start mid-2018.

“With the location now decided, we can now get on with planning and building the playground that Shoal Bay deserves,” Mr Lamont said.