PORT Stephens Council has tonight endorsed a 20-year vision for Raymond Terrace that prioritises people and focuses on connectivity, public spaces and place activation.

The Raymond Terrace Public Domain Plan (PDP) is a key action of the Raymond Terrace and Heatherbrae Strategy, which Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer has said is a long time coming.

“Raymond Terrace is a great place to live and this is such an exciting plan for the community that me and my family have been a part of for over 90 years.

“In 2020 we asked the community about their vision for Raymond Terrace — we heard they want more shady spots, improved footpaths and better connections from the town centre to the river,” Mayor Palmer said.

Delivery of the PDP will roll out over the next 20 years with funding coming through a range of revenue sources, including grant funding and developer contributions, but Mayor Palmer said Council is ready for action.

“Improving Raymond Terrace is a key action the community elected me on and I’m proud that at our last meeting we committed to tapping into a range of grant funding programs that will see us get started straight away,” he said.

Council’s PS2020 program has already contributed $750,000 to the development of the Public Domain Plan and will fund community projects in Raymond Terrace.

A further $200,000 comes from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and $400,000 from the NSW Government’s Streets as Shared Spaces Program will fund temporary improvements such as parklets and public art.

“This document is the guide that will inform the future funding through grants and other sources and I encourage everyone to get into this plan and check it out,” Mayor Palmer said.

“We’ve got the plan and now we need to crack on and get it done.”

Keep up to date on the project at haveyoursay.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/raymond-terrace-public-domain-plan.

For more information about works in Raymond Terrace, visit portstephens.nsw.gov.au/projects.

For more on the Raymond Terrace and Heatherbrae Strategy, visit https://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/grow/local-area-planning-strategies/raymond-terrace-and-heatherbrae-strategy-2015-2031.