PORT Stephens Council has become a signatory to the NSW Public Spaces Charter.

At Council’s meeting on 9 August, Councillors unanimously voted in support of becoming a signatory to the charter, which identifies ten principles for quality public space that allows everyone in NSW to enjoy and participate in public life.

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The NSW Department of Planning and Environment developed the charter in October 2021 to be used by land managers and anybody else involved in the planning, design, delivery or management of public space.

The charter is one of the flagship programs of the NSW Government’s priority for ‘Greener Public Spaces’.

“To promote the delivery of high-quality public space, Transport for NSW has encouraged all Councils to become a signatory to the charter to have the access to a network of other local government areas which will provide an opportunity for information, data sharing and support,” Brock Lamont, Strategy and Environment Section Manager wrote in a report to Council.

Mr Lamont says the charter complements Council’s approach to planning open space.

“Council is currently focusing on the delivery of high-quality public space through implementation of the ‘Recreation Strategy, Public Domain Plans and Place Plans,’ he said.

“Becoming a signatory to the charter will confirm Council’s commitment to delivering high-quality spaces and may result in opportunities for grant funding programs and State endorsement of Council plans in the future,” he said.

The charter was prepared in consultation with Aboriginal Peoples, community members and representatives from State and Local Government, industry, the business and cultural sectors and a diverse range of public space experts, he said.

By Tara CAMPBELL