KARUAH is joining other destinations and villages within the Port Stephens LGA as a community with a Place Plan endorsed by Council.

The village sits on calm riverbanks and is renowned for its magnificent oysters.

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The village is now bypassed by the freeway, however driving through Karuah doesn’t make your journey north or south any longer, just more scenic.

Mayor Ryan Palmer said the endorsed plan its a great outcome for the community.

“Karuah is a growing village with a unique connection to the local environment.

“The river, wetlands and natural bushland provides valuable habitat for native wildlife and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna,” Mayor Palmer said.

“The Karuah Place Plan celebrates this connection while striking a balance between the need for new housing, business growth and job opportunities.

“The plan identifies two important biodiversity corridors, alongside potential employment zones and the opportunity to develop 800 new residential lots.

“It also contains short, medium and long-term actions to inspire community involvement in creating a better place through conservation, beautification and civic pride projects, activations and event opportunities.”

Port Stephens Councillor Jason Wells told News Of The Area, “The development of the Karuah Place Plan helps guide both the council and the community in the future direction of the area.

“It gives concrete projects that can be taken on by a range of groups to benefit the wider community.

“Council officers are to be congratulated on the consultative approach taken throughout the development of this plan, including their responsiveness to community feedback on the draft plan, which saw some important changes made to meet community expectations.

“The vibrant Karuah community is ready, willing and able to assist in the rejuvenation of the CBD area and bringing the 7Day Makeover team to Karuah is certainly high on my priority list,” he said.

A networking event to launch the Karuah Place Plan is being planned for April, to give the Karuah community, local businesses and Council the opportunity to make new connections and support each other to realise the vision of the plan.

To view the Karuah Place Plan, visit portstephens.nsw.gov.au/karuah-place-plan.

By Marian SAMPSON