Port Stephens Council is inviting the community to help shape the future of Salamander Bay Town Centre.
Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson said the Salamander Bay Town Centre is one of the key commercial and community hubs in Port Stephens.
"Salamander Bay has grown over time without a clear plan – but that's changing," Mayor Anderson said.
"With the help of the community, we're creating a Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan to shape a strong vision for the area.
"The plan will guide how we use the land, improve infrastructure and the environment, attract investment, and ultimately enhance the liveability and wellbeing of our community," Mayor Anderson added.
Port Stephens is facing growing pressure to provide housing, business space, and community services, with 11,000 new homes needed over the next 20 years.
The Salamander Bay Town Centre has been identified as a key site for low and mid-rise housing, alongside the need for expanded commercial space, as job opportunities in the Tomaree area are projected to increase by 54% by 2041.
"Council owns the last piece of vacant, commercially zoned land in the Salamander Bay Town Centre," Mayor Anderson said.
"This land presents a rare opportunity to plan strategically for the future, creating space for local businesses to thrive and ensuring that services are available close to where people live.
"The Place Plan will bring together all these elements – economic growth, new housing, improved public spaces, traffic and pedestrian flow and better access to community services.
"Council is also committed to protecting and investing in our natural environment – including areas like the nearby Mambo Wetlands – because we know how important they are to our community.
"The community's voice is critical. This is your opportunity to help shape a thriving connected town centre that reflects our shared values and vision.
"Let's work together to create a town centre that grows with us and makes Salamander Bay and Port Stephens a great place to live, work and invest," Mayor Anderson added.
Opportunities for community members to have their say include:
- Our dedicated pop up drop-in space, Salamander Shopping Centre (opposite Baker's Delight), 9am to 1pm, Monday 5 to Friday 9 May.
- A community workshop at Tomaree Library, Thursday 8 May.
- The Tomaree Community Connect Day, 10am to 2pm, Friday 16 May.
- Online via Council's website using the interactive mapping tool before Sunday 18 May.
