Port Stephens Council will deliver the William Street works which will include installing three art-inspired shade structures with new seating and greenery, lighting and cameras, and to improve accessible car parking.

Stage two of the works, funded through the NSW Government's Streets as Shared Spaces program, is proposed to begin mid-2022 and will see more of the town centre upgraded with landscaping, art, shade, seating and a safer pedestrian crossing.

The works were born from community feedback for the Raymond Terrace Public Domain Plan.

Raymond Terrace resident Bronwyn White participated in the development of the plan, and said "it's great to see action in the town centre".

"Raymond Terrace is such a lovely community and it's wonderful to see it getting the upgrades it deserves. These works will certainly brighten up the town centre and make it a lot greener," she said.

"The artist's impressions look fantastic. One of the highlights for me is the art-inspired shade structure, which has been designed by a local Aboriginal artist. To see something like that in Raymond Terrace is really exciting.

"I go to Raymond Terrace town centre every day and it will be great to have more spaces to connect with other people. I also see a lot of tourists stopping in Raymond Terrace and there's not really anywhere to sit and eat, so this will be a nice space for people to spend some time as they stop on their travels."

The council is continuing its engagement about the planned works with the Raymond Terrace business community in July.

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