Our beautiful coastline is second to none, we have one of our country’s premier marine parks on our doorstep along with the world famous Worimi Conservation Lands, Tomaree National Park and a range of diverse villages situated among the coast, rivers and trees in between.

As an area we are growing and how we use our spaces continues to change. This is particularly true in Nelson Bay. It’s a beautiful place which has, for some time, struggled to grow and attract residents and businesses.

The council has listened to what our community loves about the Bay, and we’re working to revitalise the town centre to bring people back. I’m excited to share our future vision for Nelson Bay through our Public Domain Plan – which sets out how we will create public spaces for our community now and into the future. 

In Nelson Bay we’re proposing to focus on three big moves.

Firstly, we’re looking at creating a greener town centre with more street trees and better connections to the foreshore and Tomaree National Park.

Secondly, we’re enhancing opportunities for walking and cycling right throughout the town centre.

Finally, we’re designing quality spaces for everyone to enjoy. We’re looking at how we can make places for people and promote new ways to use our spaces for leisure, for business and most of all, for fun.

We know that we will increase the sense of community and security as well as the health and wellbeing of our residents by creating vibrant and flexible spaces that celebrate the unique identities of our towns and villages. Importantly, revitalised town centres will strengthen the sense of identity and pride within our community.

Creating vibrant spaces is a key driver of economic growth – making Port Stephens a more desirable place to live, work and play.

This will, in turn, increase investment into our communities and deliver more jobs and opportunities for our local people.

Together with our proposed investment through a special rate variation, we’re establishing ourselves as a dynamic and vibrant destination for business, tourism and lifestyle well into the future.

Now is the time for you to have your say, visit haveyoursay.portstephens.nsw.gov.au to take part.

RELATED READING: The Nelson Bay of the future