Port Stephens continues to be a destination of choice for domestic tourists, with the latest data showing strong growth in the number of visitors and length of stay. The National Visitor Survey, conducted by Tourism Research Australia for the year ending March 2019, shows Port Stephens welcomed 805,000 overnight visitors who stayed almost 2.6 million nights. With the average overnight visitor spending $205 per night, this result means exciting things for our local economy.
We all know Port Stephens is the most beautiful place in Australia to play, and, according to Tourism Research Australia’s most recent National Visitor Survey, about 805,000 other Australians think so too.
A continued increase in visitor numbers means continuing to invest in the events, amenities and infrastructure that make our place so attractive to tourists, and that’s where Council plays a key role.
Council’s long-standing partnership with Destination Port Stephens (DPS) is one of the most innovative and successful industry and council partnerships in NSW. DPS’ focus on attracting wonderful lifestyle, sporting and cultural events like Love Seafood Tastes Port Stephens, Nations of Origin, Bluewater Country Music Festival drives visitation, meaning more people are spending money here in Port Stephens every year.
Supporting increased visitation is a key direction of the Port Stephens Community Strategic Plan, with Holiday Parks, dedicated events coordination, parks and gardens, and recreational facilities all part of our core business and Council’s vision for Port Stephens over the next few years.
The combined efforts of DPS and Council ensure that we are driving a strong economy in Port Stephens so we continue to thrive as a great place to live, work and play. Visit: portstephens.nsw.gov.au/play/tourism
Wayne
Vote for your favourite Port Stephens project
Made possible by the NSW Generations Fund, My Community Project funds projects in each NSW electorate to help improve the wellbeing of people and communities. Successful projects will be determined through a public vote and the projects that receive the most support will receive funding with up to $260,000 available for each electorate.
So, click the link below to throw your vote behind your fave Port Stephens project...and hurry - voting closes midnight Thursday 15 August 2019!
Bagnalls Reserve in Corlette has a brand new playground for kids to enjoy! We have new seating, accessible pathways, swings (including nest seat, toddler seat and strap seat), a slippery slide and much more. A big thanks to the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund for helping us fund this project.
Mambo Wetlands bush regeneration workshop
Mambo Wetlands Reserve covers 175 hectares and is extremely important to the waters of Port Stephens, filtering water and providing habitat for native flora and fauna. We need your help to restore and rehabilitate Mambo Wetlands by managing invasive species threatening the area.
Come along to this month's working bee and enjoy a very special a wildflower walk. Click 'read more' below to become join this event.
Social fun at Robinson Reserve
Find a bunch of your favourite foodies in one of our favourite places! Street Food Social is rolling in to Robinson Reserve, Anna Bay on Sunday 18 August between 3pm and 8pm. Learn more at the link below.
Members of the Artisan Collective have been busy creating marine-inspired works for the SALTED exhibition at the gallery at d'Albora Marina throughout August. Works created for SALTED will be displayed in windows of 11 CBD businesses, which art lovers can also enjoy on an art trail through beautiful Nelson Bay.
The Collective's gallery is the first stop of the art trail and takes visitors for a gentle walk along Stockton, Magnus, Yacaaba and Donald streets to view artworks in shopfront windows. Art trail maps are available from the gallery and Visitor Information Centre Nelson Bay.
Want to know about the latest news, projects and events? Our new quarterly newsletter YourPort will keep you up to date on what's going on near you. The Winter edition features our newest dog park, updates on major projects going on across Port Stephens and events you'll want to save the date for.
Catch up on this week's Council meeting with Mayor Ryan Palmer
Council meeting - Tuesday 13 August 2019 The following is a brief overview of this week's Council meeting. For full details, you can view the agenda and minutes on Council's website. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 27 August 2019.
Council supported a Mayoral Minute noting the policy reversal of the NSW Emergency Services Levy and expressed its appreciation to the State Government for this decision.
Council approved DA for a Telecommunications Facility (Mobile Phone Base Station compromising 25 metre monopole and associated infrastructure) at 41 Fisherman’s Bay Rd, Fisherman’s Bay.
Council adopted the Planning Proposal to amend the Land Zoning Map, Height if Building Map and Lot Size Map at 269 Tarean Rd, Karuah. The amendment will enable residential development to be carried out on the land.
Council authorised the amendment to the Port Stephens Local Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to rezone land from R2 Low Density Residential to RE2 Private Recreation at 436-444A Tarean Rd and 20-22 Bundabah St, Karuah.
Council endorsed the following policies and placed them on public exhibition:
Rural Residential Policy
Revised Contributions to Works for Kerb and Gutter Construction Policy
Revised Provision and Management of Cemeteries Policy
Council adopted the Volunteer Recognition Policy.
Council nominated Mayor Palmer, Cr Le Mottee, Cr Tucker, Cr Abbot and Cr Arnott to attend the 2019 Local Government NSW Annual Conference to be held from 14 to 16 October 2019 at Warwick Farm.
Council submitted a motion to the Local Government NSW Conference requesting that Local Government NSW lobby the NSW State Government to increase Councils legislative powers to manage derelict sites. Council will forward a copy of the motion to the Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington to make representations to the Minister and the Shadow Minister.
Council approved financial assistance:
$500 to Nelson Bay Hockey Club Inc. for a new canteen refrigerator for the club house.
$1500 to Tilligerry Rural Fire Service for the purchase of a security system for the station.
Council received and noted the Information Papers:
Council Resolutions
Report back on attendance at the 2019 National General Assembly 16-19 June 2019 in Canberra
Council defeated Cr Arnott’s Notice of Motion to commit to extensive community consultation prior to any future asset sales, and that such a sale may only occur after community consultation is complete.
Council defeated Cr Arnott’s Notice of Motion to amend the Code of Meeting Practice to record the names of Councillors who voted for and against each motion in the meeting’s minutes.
Council supported an amendment on Cr Arnott’s Notice of Motion to acknowledge the need for more, not less, public toilets in our Local Government Area to cater for more visitors and for use by locals exploring their local areas.
Council supported Cr Smith’s Notice of Motion to allocate $350,000 for Anna Bay works, including the Anna Bay 7 Day Makeover program from the PSC 2020 projects budget (subject to Council adoption on 27 August 2019). If the motion is adopted on 27 August 2019, David Engwicht from Creative Communities will be engaged to complete the 7 Day Makeover program.
Council supported Cr Nell’s Notice of Motion to co-sponsor the removal of trees at Fly Point, Nelson Bay and placed the proposal on public exhibition to seek public comment.
