NELSON Bay is changing at the moment with new road markings designating the shared zone having been stamped on the 10km zones.

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Business Port Stephens has been advocating for the zones to be more clearly defined for drivers since 2018.

The blue lines stamped on the shared areas on the roads are to be alternate with a sandstone colour stamping over the remaining bitumen which will be added at a later date.

Council is also creating five parklets which will replace existing parking spaces on Magnus Street.

The work is a result of Council successfully attaining government grant funding.

The parklets will allow for additional seating for restaurant patrons due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Leah Anderson President of Business Port Stephens said, “It is my understanding that the parklets won’t be able to be removed during the day even if the restaurant adjacent isn’t trading, however they are removable structures.

“These are going in and they might be in for 3 months or 6 months, again depending on what the use is, and the feedback from the community.”

The parklets will be able to be redeployed at other locations to meet community needs.

“We do have the space in the new park that is under-utilised that joins Yacaaba Street and Victoria Parade that could potentially allow for diners without losing parking spaces,” she said.

Business Port Stephens has been approached by some traders who are wary and disappointed over the loss of the parking spaces as each space denotes dollars spent every time it is turned over.

The intention originally for the parklets was determined in the midst of COVID-19 restrictions and restaurants could no longer cater to as many diners as they previously had, consequently those businesses were losing a lot of trade.

Council has been working to increase vibrancy in the township and the parklets are a part of this concept, it is hoped that they will encourage people to spend more time dining in and around town, however some traders believe that there is ample space if dining establishments are allowed to utilise the wider footpaths in front of non-dining establishments whilst leaving adequate room for foot traffic to move around town.

By Marian SAMPSON