Nelson Bay now is fighting for the needs of Nelson Bay to be met by Port Stephens Council and the NSW State Government.

The advocacy group was formed in July this year to bring new business into the CBD and to obtain a focus by Local and State Governments on the needs of rejuvenating popular tourist area for tourists and local residents

Nelson Bay NOW is made up of members including The Tomaree Business Chamber, Eco Network, Tomaree Residents and Ratepayers Assoc, D’Albora Marina, Destination Port Stephens and Nelson Bay Property and Business Owners.

Although the group doesn’t want to dwell on the past, they report that in the last 15 years the only cash flow that has come into Nelson Bay has been through an increase in a rate levy in early 2000.

Members are keen to work with Port Stephens Council Staff to deliver the implementation of the 2012 Nelson Bay Town and Foreshore Strategy.

The strategy includes better linkage of the Town Centre with tourist services and facilities located within the Foreshore area as well as providing car parking that minimises traffic within the Town Centre and Foreshore.

Kate Washington, Meryl Swanson, Scot McDonald, NSW Department of Planning, The Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Port Stephens Council Staff have been a wonderful support to the vision of Nelson Bay NOW.

“Every member of the group is very busy in their own businesses and careers but we each feel this is such an important issue for Nelson Bay and, as a result, we are having to meet together more regularly to address these urgent issues,” Ryan Palmer President of the Tomaree Chamber of Commerce told Bay News Of The Area.

“Newcastle has such a lot of redevelopment in the CBD happening at the moment and we feel it’s a good model for Nelson Bay to capture both government and private investment,” Mr Palmer said.

Regular meetings are currently drawing lots of attention from Government departments.

By Jewell DRURY