I FIRMLY believe actions speak louder than words. Councils are great at planning for the future by writing strategies and master plans but there is often the perception that these documents just sit on the shelf.

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While this might have been true for Nelson Bay in the past, it’s certainly not anymore. We’ve got a plan, now it’s time for some action.

Last week, I spoke to businesses and community members across the Bay about how we’re proposing to fast-track key actions from the Public Domain Plan.

We want to invest in infrastructure — creating extra parking, widening footpaths and planting street trees.

We also want to fund events that will bring life, visitors and activity to our streets.

To fund these improvements, we’re talking about introducing smart parking areas, new time restrictions to manage turnover and a Park Free scheme for residents, ratepayers and workers.

These changes will help residents and visitors find parking spaces more easily, increase parking turnover and reduce the time drivers spend circling to find a park.

Your feedback will help guide the finer details of the proposed parking changes.

Head to haveyoursay.portstephens.nsw.gov.au and complete the survey by Monday 16 December 2019.

In Raymond Terrace and Heatherbrae, we’re also focused on action.

We’re in the process of developing the Public Domain Plan and early next year, we’ll be seeking community feedback to help guide how the town will look in the future.

We’re also investigating more housing density in the town centre and we’re developing an economic prospectus to attract more business investment.

These are just some of the ways we’re driving action in our town centres across Port Stephens.

By Ryan PALMER
Mayor of Port Stephens