No two towns and villages are the same, which is why planning for our future needs to take a tailored approach.

With the help of residents, Port Stephens Council is developing a series of place plans that focus on the values and priorities of the community.

Whether it's events and activities, major projects and works or land use changes, each place plan will be unique and focus on ideas that create more vibrant places for residents to connect, discover and enjoy.

Place plans are based on five principles. Firstly, an understanding of local values of a community is critical. The council's Liveability Index provides the foundation for planning our places, giving unique insight into the values and priorities of local communities. Using this data, initial workshops have begun to delve deeper to identify the improvements and changes each community wants to see.

Second, a place plan needs to start with yes. For an enabling culture to flourish, both Council and the community need to come from a position of yes. New ideas need to be considered, existing processes challenged and innovation encouraged.

Thirdly, ideas need to be tested and trialed. Creating vibrant and liveable communities takes time and effort. By testing low-cost, short-term ideas and trialing community-led programs, the first steps can be taken to bigger and better things.

Fourth, civic pride needs to be tapped into. Within the Port Stephens communities is an abundance of energy and expertise. Finding ways to tap into this energy fosters pride and a sense of place, creates connections and makes people feel more positive about their local community.

Lastly, using best practice examples, a place plan needs to be measured and benchmarked. Measuring impact and working with experts is critical to building on and improving a communities plan for the future.

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Plans are already well underway for Medowie, Anna Bay, Shoal Bay and the Rural West, with more than 200 residents having their say in 2021.

The work continues to develop the draft place plans that will be shared with the community later this year to make sure they're on the right track.

Next month locals will get their say on the character and future vision for land use in Shoal Bay.

There are two ways to join the discussion:

Face-to-face

Online

Local knowledge is key when it comes to planning for our future, so have your say and help shape the future of Port Stephens.

For more ways to join the discussion, head to the council's Have Your Say website at haveyoursay.portstephens.nsw.gov.au.