{"id":6281,"date":"2020-04-30T03:46:33","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T03:46:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=6281"},"modified":"2020-04-30T03:46:33","modified_gmt":"2020-04-30T03:46:33","slug":"vision-for-fern-bay-and-north-stockton-adopted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2020\/04\/30\/vision-for-fern-bay-and-north-stockton-adopted\/","title":{"rendered":"Vision for Fern Bay and North Stockton adopted"},"content":{"rendered":"

A pedestrian-friendly town\u00a0centre\u00a0in North Stockton and a drawcard coastal walk from Stockton to\u00a0Tomaree\u00a0Headland are part of an ambitious planning strategy adopted by Port Stephens and Newcastle councils.
\nThe\u00a0Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy<\/em>, which was guided by early engagement with the Fern Bay community and a workshop with\u00a0Councillors\u00a0from both Newcastle and Port Stephens, is a 20-year blueprint for the rapidly growing area between the Hunter River and Stockton Beach.
\nThe strategy identifies North Stockton as the site of a future town\u00a0centre\u00a0and calls for new accommodation developments to support local tourism.
\nA\u00a0neighbourhood\u00a0centre\u00a0to allow a smaller supermarket in the Fern Bay-Fullerton Cove area has also been included as a direct result of community consultation and will be facilitated by Port Stephens Council with a planning proposal.
\nNewcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Fern Bay and North Stockton Strategy identifies opportunities to create a pedestrian-friendly town\u00a0centre\u00a0and mixed-use planning provisions that cater for diverse housing, connected open spaces and community amenities.
\n\u201cDeveloped by both Newcastle and Port Stephens councils, the joint strategy is a fantastic outcome after a great deal of work and forms a strategic planning basis to follow along with landowners and the broader Stockton community,\u201d\u00a0Councillor\u00a0Nelmes said.
\n\u201cThere are multiple large land holdings in the area that have potential to create positive outcomes for the community and we will work hand in hand with Port Stephens to plan for them in the years ahead.\u201d
\nPort Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said the decision marked the beginning of an exciting time for the residents of Fern Bay and North Stockton.
\n\u201cThis is a great outcome for these communities,\u201d Mayor Palmer said.
\n\u201cThe creation of more housing, access to better facilities and more transport options will ensure this town truly thrives.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s been a wonderfully successful collaboration between our Port Stephens Council and City of Newcastle teams, and we\u2019ll continue to work together on the best outcomes for the Fern Bay North Stockton communities into the future.\u201d
\nThe strategy also recommends a ferry terminal at North Stockton, duplication of Nelson Bay Road with traffic lights at the intersection of Vardon Road, as well as other upgrades to paths, bus stops and transport.
\nAlso\u00a0key to the strategy are:<\/p>\n