PORT Stephens Council is calling for the community to have its say on the future vision for Port Stephens, as part of community engagement on its Community Strategic Plan.

Council’s Corporate Services Group Manager Tim Crosdale said ‘Our place, our plan, our future’ sets out the community’s aspirations and priorities for Port Stephens over the next 10 years.

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“Whether it’s managing our coastline, creating vibrant community spaces or keeping us connected as a community, the Community Strategic Plan acts as a road map for Council, government agencies, community services, businesses and the community to guide infrastructure, programs and services delivered across Port Stephens,” Mr Crosdale said.

“It’s critical for Council in informing what services, facilities and programs we deliver and how we resource them through our people, assets and finances.

“In September 2020 we held our first ever Liveability Index Survey, which saw 3700 community members have their say on what they valued most and how their place was performing.

“We used this information, as well as community input on other strategies and plans, to delve deeper on values and priorities for the area during public workshops in late 2021.

“Throughout the process residents, ratepayers and businesses have played a critical role in helping to inform and shape this important document, with close to 7,000 interactions with the Port Stephens community so far.”

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said Council is now checking in with the community as part of the next phase of community engagement.

“We have now incorporated what we have been hearing into the draft Community Strategic Plan and want to know if the community thinks we have got it right,” Mayor Palmer said.

“By contributing to ‘Our place, our plan, our future’ people have an opportunity to make a real and lasting impression on the future of Port Stephens.

“We want to make it easy to get involved, so we’re hosting a Facebook Live Q&A event on Thursday 3 March, where people can find out more about the plan and ask any questions they might have.

“As an extra incentive we’re giving people the chance to win one of three vouchers worth $50 by completing the online survey and one of four vouchers worth $150 by sharing a photo of something they love about Port Stephens on social media.”

This input will help inform the draft Community Strategic Plan, which is proposed to be publicly exhibited in April and May.

To have your say and go into the draw to win one of three vouchers worth $50, visit pscouncil.info/csp-check-in and complete the survey before Monday 14 March 2022.

To enter the social media competition for a chance to win one of four vouchers worth $150, visit Council’s Instagram or Facebook page before Monday 14 March 2022.

More details on the Facebook live session on Thursday 3 March from 5:30 to 6:15pm can be found on Council’s Facebook page.