Open space and recreation planning
Open spaces are publicly accessible spaces that can be used for recreation. They provide a place for our community to come together, be active and connect with nature. These include parks, sporting grounds, foreshores, civics spaces and more.
We have a number of plans and strategies to help us plan for and manage open spaces in Port Stephens below.
Our Recreation Strategy helps us plan for and improve recreation facilities and services in Port Stephens.
Our vision for recreation in Port Stephens is a sustainable network of recreation facilities that encourage participation, interaction and personal development in a safe and inclusive environment.
Downloads:
- Recreation Strategy — volume 1 (PDF 80.7 MB)
- Recreation Strategy — volume 2 (PDF 103.3 MB)
Birubi Point is an Aboriginal Place — a place which ‘is of special significance to the local Aboriginal people.’ It was gazetted on 20 April 2007 to mark its cultural, social, spiritual and historic significance to the Worimi people, the Traditional Owners of the Port Stephens area.
Port Stephens Council has developed a management plan and master plan to ensure this popular cultural, tourism and recreation place is well managed now and into the future. We also established the Birubi Point Cultural Heritage Advisory Panel to help with planning and management.
Downloads:
- Birubi Point Aboriginal Place Management Plan (PDF 8.8 MB) sets out how the Aboriginal Place will be managed over the next 10 years to protect and respect its value and significance to the Worimi people.
- Birubi Point Aboriginal Place Master Plan (PDF 47.1 MB) sets out the vision for how the Aboriginal Place can be enjoyed and managed into the future.
For more information about the Worimi people, see our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People page.
Soldiers Point is an Aboriginal Place — a place which ‘is of special significance to the local Aboriginal people.’ It was gazetted on 26 July 2016 to mark its cultural, social, spiritual and historic significance to the Worimi people, the Traditional Owners of the Port Stephens area.
Downloads:
- Soldiers Point Aboriginal Place Plan of Management — Introduction (PDF 3.3 MB)
- Soldiers Point Aboriginal Place Plan of Management — Value Statement (PDF 3.2 MB)
- Soldiers Point Aboriginal Place Plan of Management — Legislation and Policy Framework (PDF 1.6 MB)
- Soldiers Point Aboriginal Place Plan of Management — Management Strategies (PDF 7.8 MB)
- Soldiers Point Aboriginal Place Plan of Management — Future Use Development and Management (PDF 4.3 MB)
For more information about the Worimi people, see our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People page.
Boomerang Park is a 22 hectare open space opposite St Brigids Catholic Church on Irrawang Street, Raymond Terrace.
Downloads:
- Boomerang Park Plan of Management adopted April 2016 (PDF 12.7 MB)
- Boomerang Park Master Plan (PDF 1.8 MB)
Mambo Wetlands is an environmentally sensitive and SEPP 14 protected wetland. Our Plan of Management sets out how we'll conserve its significant ecological values while ensuring the interests and safety of the community are protected.
The Mambo Wetlands Plan of Management was adopted by Council on 28 February 2006.
Downloads:
- Mambo Wetlands Plan of Management (PDF 1.8 MB)
Plan of management for reserve at 3 Keel Street, Salamander Bay.
Downloads:
- Keel Street Reserve Plan of Management (PDF 169.4 MB)
A Plan of Management for foreshores in Port Stephens, endorsed by Council in November 2001.
Downloads:
- Foreshores Generic Plan of Management (PDF 30.5 MB)
- Foreshores Generic Plan of Management - Maps Part 1 (PDF 2.6 MB)
- Foreshores Generic Plan of Management - Maps Part 2 (PDF 2.7 MB)
- Foreshores Generic Plan of Management - Maps Part 3 (PDF 2.8 MB)
- Foreshores Generic Plan of Management - Maps Part 4 (PDF 2.6 MB)
A Plan of Management for general community use in Port Stephens, endorsed by Council in August 2004.
Downloads:
- General Community Use - Generic Plan of Management (PDF 33.9 MB)
A Plan of Management for natural areas in Port Stephens, endorsed by Council in June 2003.
Downloads:
- Natural Areas Generic Plan of Management (PDF 3.33 MB)
The Sportsground Generic Plan of Management covers areas of land which are mainly viewed as sportsgrounds but may also be used as natural areas or parks. The long term goals of this Plan of Management are:
- to assist in meeting the sporting needs of both the residents and visitors to Port Stephens
- to provide quality facilities which support the overall open space system in satisfying the recreation needs of both residents and visitors to Port Stephens.
Downloads:
- Sportsground Generic Plan of Management (PDF 87 KB)
The Urban Parks Generic Plan of Management was endorsed in April 2004.
Downloads:
- Urban Parks - Generic Plan of Management (PDF 245 KB)
- Urban Parks - Generic Plan of Management - Maps Part 1 (PDF 2.5 MB)
- Urban Parks - Generic Plan of Management - Maps Part 2 (PDF 2.7 MB)
- Urban Parks - Generic Plan of Management - Maps Part 3 (PDF 3 MB)
- Urban Parks - Generic Plan of Management - Maps Part 4 (PDF 3.5 MB)
Port Stephens Council has adopted the following Master Plans.
Downloads:
- Ferodale Sports Complex Master Plan (PDF 5 MB)
- Apex Park Master Plan (PDF 1 MB)
- Tomaree Sports Complex Master Plan (PDF 6 MB)
- King Park Master Plan (PDF 34 MB)
The Port Stephens Boating and Fishing Infrastructure Plan relates to boating and fishing infrastructure managed by the Port Stephens Council.
Downloads: