The approval of the DA, announced on Tuesday afternoon, means the council can now progress to the detailed design phase to be ready for construction start in late 2020.

"Birubi Point Aboriginal Place is the gateway to the stunning Worimi Conservation Lands and the largest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere," Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said.

"We know that during the holidays, the numbers of visitors to this beautiful part of the world increases dramatically.

"This causes traffic chaos and puts increased pressure on the environment, Aboriginal heritage and cultural values of this area.

"While Port Stephens Council is working on short-term solutions, the Birubi Information Centre is going to be a game-changer for the residents of Anna Bay and the thousands of people who visit each year."

Port Stephens Council received $5.4 million from the state government's Growing Local Economies Fund to build an information centre and tourism interchange along Gan Gan Road, opposite of the contentious Anna Bay Resort, in October 2018.

The proposed design includes 50 car parking spaces, inclusive of three disabled spaces, 10 coach parking spaces with a drop-off zone that can accommodate two coaches, and provisions for pedestrians and cyclists.

The interchange includes more than 1300 square metres of covered space, public toilets and a kiosk.

"The Birubi Information Centre has been carefully designed to create a unique visitor experience that respects and celebrates the significance of this incredible place," Brock Lamont, the council's community and recreation coordinator, said.

"It aims to alleviate many of the current issues we face at Birubi to improve the lives of locals and facilitate greater access for all to this amazing area.

"This project would not be possible without funding from the NSW Government's Growing Local Economies Fund and the hard work of our community and Port Stephens Council staff.

"This is an exciting step in a long journey that has been 8 years in the making."