Economic Insights

Key Insights Feb-April 2026

• Food retailing (supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, fruit and vegetable stores, liquor stores) accounts for the biggest proportion (approx. 32%) of total spend
• Tourism and entertainment accounts for approximately 18% of total spend in businesses in Port Stephens
• Approximately 43% of expenditure in Port Stephens businesses is from people residing outside of the LGA
• For Feb-April 2026, compared to Feb-April 2025:
  • Spend in Takeaway and fast food premises recorded the biggest increase – 10.1%
  • Private transport expenditure (petrol stations, ride sharing, taxis, ferries) recorded an 8.4% increase
  • Spend in restaurants recorded a 1.6% decrease

Area Spotlight - Shoal Bay

• Tourism and entertainment accounts for approximately 74% of total spend in businesses in Shoal Bay
• For the Feb-April 2026 period, total expenditure increased by 11.6% compared to Feb-April 2025
• Approximately 75% of expenditure in Shoal Bay businesses is from people residing outside the LGA

Port Stephens Council’s Major Event Sponsorship program aims to attract and support events to drive visitation and visitor spend in our community.

Key findings and trends for the Shoal Bay Food and Wine Festival held on Saturday 14 March 2026 (which was sponsored by the Major Event Sponsorship program) show:

• The total spend on the day of the festival was 59% higher than the average Saturday spend
• The total spend on the day of the festival was the third highest Saturday spend for the preceding 12 month period, with only Easter Saturday and the Australia Day long weekend recording higher spends.
• There was an 11% increase in spend from the 2025 Shoal Bay Food and Wine Festival
• Much of this increased spending was led by Port Stephens residents, who spent 126% more on the day of the festival, than on an average Saturday
• The event was also successful in attracting visitors from outside the LGA, who spend 39% more than on an average Saturday.
• The economic data highlights the effectiveness of Council’s sponsorship program in boosting the local economy, providing an injection of spending normally only seen during the peak school holiday periods.

Population Information

^{This data is updated annually}

Number of jobs

^{This data is updated annually}

Number of actively trading businesses

^{This data is updated annually}

Key spending metrics last quarter

^{Data last updated: 2 June 2026}