$653,000 funding for Port Stephens community reserves

Crown land reserves and community facilities in the Port Stephens region have been allocated $653,000 in funding for a range of local improvement projects.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Taylor Martin, said the funding is being provided by the NSW Government under its Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.

“In total $653,172 has been secured for regional projects this year under the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund program to maintain and upgrade local reserves as well as facilities located on them,” Mr Martin said.

“This funding will see infrastructure upgrades to buildings, reserves, foreshores and local clubs as well as the maintenance to treat invasive weeds.”

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the NSW Government is providing $51.7 million from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund this year to support 705 maintenance and upgrade projects on Crown reserves across the State.

“This year’s fund has received a $40 million boost to support communities that have been impacted by bushfires and COVID-19, to fund infrastructure improvements and support jobs for local trades and materials suppliers,” Mrs Pavey said.

“Protecting and enhancing Crown land reserves is essential for the well-being of communities and our environment, and to support recreation, tourism, business, and local economies.”

Local projects being funded include:

  • $110,000 to construct a new skate park and playground, repair and upgrade accessibility to the sport amenities building and construct a new multisport court on the Mallabula Sportsground.
  • $110,000 to construct a shared pathway and replace the amenities block and park furniture at the Shoal Bay Foreshore.
  • $110,000 to replace the public toilets, change rooms and kiosk at Stuart Park with a new amenities building and kiosk.
  • $44,364 for repairs and maintenance on the Nelson Head Lighthouse and Rescue Station Reserve including painting of buildings and repair of paths and paved areas.
  • $39,487 to control weeds near One Mile Beach.
  • $35,344 to control aquatic weeds throughout the Hunter, Paterson and Williams River, as well as throughout the Riverside Caravan Park foreshore.
  • $32,498 to repair and upgrade the pony club arena surface at the Green Wattle Creek.
  • $27,596 to control weeds at Mallabula Public Recreation Reserve.
  • $25,759 to control weeds at Anna Bay Crown reserves.
  • $23,070 to construct two shade awnings, a concrete area and tree maintenance at Taylors Beach Scout Hall.
  • $21,581 to treat invasive weeds managed by Crown lands at Parish Reserve Tomaree.
  • $20,253 to control weeds on Crown Foreshore Reserve in the Port Stephens Local Government Area.
  • $17,739 to control bitou bush on Crown land at Zenith Beach, Box Beach and North Fingal Beach.
  • $16,695 for repairs and maintenance at the Nelson Bay Girl Guides including repair of door jambs, a new emergency exit door, stair repairs, landscaping, and installation of solar panels.
  • $14,806 for stabilisation of a sand dune encroaching onto mobile home villages at Gan Gan road, Anna Bay
  • $3,980 to construct a driveway from the roadway at Port Stephen’s Women’s Crisis Centre.

/Public Release. View in full here.