Port Stephens Council will be accepting drop offs at the Raymond Terrace council administration building between 9am and 3.30pm.

Residents can drop off garden chemicals, pool chemicals, household cleaners, poisons, hobby chemicals batteries (including car), paint, motor oil, fuels and fluids, fluro lights, gas bottles, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.

Up to 100L of paint will be accepted. Only 20L or 20kg of other products will be accepted.

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More public seating, parklets and public art will be installed in the Raymond Terrace and Nelson Bay town centres in the next 12 months after Port Stephens was granted $700,000 through the NSW Government's Streets as Shared Spaces program.

Through the program, for temporary activation projects that support the community during COVID-19, a total of $631,000 will be used to make improvements to retail and cafe areas in William Street, Raymond Terrace and the Nelson Bay town centre to "create vibrant streets and additional safe space to support local businesses".

Improvements will include the creation of temporary parklets (a sidewalk extension that provides more space and amenities for people using the street), more public seating areas and public art.

A further $99,000 will go towards a shared path between Nelson Bay and Little Beach.

"The temporary path will create a safer route between the town centre and beach to help the community exercise in a safe way and support well-being," Port Stephens Council said.

The state government's funding program run by the NSW Government Department of Planning, Industry and Environment aims to test ideas for more permanent improvements to local streets, paths and public spaces during COVID-19 and help build the case for permanent change.

The funding also supports community engagement undertaken by Port Stephens Council to form the Nelson Bay Public Domain Plan, Port Stephens Pathways Plan and the emerging Raymond Terrace Public Domain Plan.

In accordance with the grant guidelines, the shared path will be completed within three months and activating Port Stephens streets within the next 12 months.

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Hairdressers across the Hunter will be offered training to understand the warning signs and dynamics of domestic and family violence as part of an innovative approach to raise community awareness and support victim-survivors.

"Hairdressers are in a unique position to help due to the trusted bond they have with their clients," Catherine Cusack, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, said.

"It is not uncommon for people to disclose concerns about family violence to their hairdresser, and salon professionals have indicated that they'd like to be better equipped on how to refer clients who may be at risk and require support.

"Educating hairdressers about what local domestic violence services are available, and most importantly how clients can go about seeking support is an additional means to assist people in abusive relationships."

A series of seven workshops will take place in the Hunter, managed by the Co-operative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) program and funded by Legal Aid NSW.

Hairdressers will hear directly from local domestic and family violence experts at the training workshops, to understand the types of support that can help those affected by domestic and family violence.

To find out if there is a workshop happening near you, call or email the Co-operative Legal Service Delivery Program on (02) 9060 7908 or clsd@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.

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