In a shock 2015 result that reverberated across the Hunter, the Labor Party’s Kate Washington received a 19 per cent swing to wrestle the seat from Liberal candidate Ken Jordan following the sudden departure of incumbent Craig Baumann.

Since the endorsement in August of Jaimie Abbott as their March 2019 election candidate, Port Stephens has seen a parade of party faithful – from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to Ministers Andrew Constance and Ray Williams – out on the hustings.

The visits have coincided with a number of funding announcements, the latest from Port Stephens MLC Catherine Cusack includes 10 projects to benefit from a share in $196,000 as part of the government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.

Meeting at Riverside Park in Raymond Terrace on Friday, Ms Cusack announced that $33,500 would go to Port Stephens Council to control aquatic weeds in the waterways.

“Areas included in the funding to control these rapid growing weeds are the Hunter, Paterson and Williams rivers, as well as the foreshore of the Riverside Caravan Park,” she said.

ALSO READ: Port Stephens Council receives $160,000 to fight war on weeds

Ms Abbott said the funding would also support the Port Stephens PCYC to the tune of a $10,000 contribution towards removing two trees, and almost $37,000 to continue the work of koala habitat and dune restoration at One Mile Beach.

“I’m really pleased to see the council continue its weeding program, ensuring our local marsupials have a safe place to live,” she said.

In other grant announcements, the government will be providing $150,000 towards construction of the new Nelson Bay Swimming and Wellness Academy at Taylors Beach through the ClubGrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants program.

“This project will see a new facility that includes a multi-use warm water pool suitable for learn-to-swim classes, swimming carnivals, aqua aerobics and hydrotherapy, and where toddlers through to senior citizens  can use and enjoy aquatic activities all year round,” Ms Abbott said.

The academy’s manager Ben Jenkinson said the project would assist in improving the physical and mental well-being of users through a variety of programs.

“The surf and water culture in Port Stephens means it is vital to learn how to swim, and this facility will do that and much more,” he said.

Finally, Port Stephens students would benefit from a $50,000 investment to learn vital life and resilience skills to support improved their mental health.

ALSO READ: Youth mental health worry

Ms Cusack said that this funding would support Caring for Our Port Stephens Youth (COPSY) in delivering around 70 workshops, reaching more than 6000 people in the Port community.

“It will give people the skills and confidence to reach out and have a conversation about mental health and understand how to access support if needed,” she said.

COPSY president John de Ridder said the money would enable the organisation to deliver programs into  Port schools, initially targeting Tomaree High, Alesco Senior College and St Philips Christian College.

“It will also help us establish a counselling service, A Space to Talk, for Port Stephens youth aged 12–18 years at the Tomaree Library and Community Centre,” he said.