COVID-19 latest update from Mayor Ryan Palmer

As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic continues to spread across the country and our region, the time has come to make some difficult decisions to protect our community.

To help limit the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), Port Stephens Council has temporarily closed a number of facilities in response to the Prime Ministers call to cease all non-essential travel, including vacation travel.

These measures are designed to prevent public gatherings and encourage travellers to stay at home rather than visit our region for the moment, so that we can all help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The health and wellbeing of all people should be everyone’s priority at this time.

Temporary closures apply to:

  • Holiday Parks — except permanent residents and their visitors and people who have no other place of permanent residence and their visitors. Read more.
  • all beaches — closed for public gatherings. Lifeguard services have been modified at Birubi, Fingal and One Mile beaches, with no flagged swimming areas. People may still walk through a beach under social distancing rules. All water activities are undertaken at the person's own risk and under social distancing rules.
  • boat ramps — are closed to all non-essential users to discourage non-essential travel to the area and limit the need for emergency services personnel from responding to water-based incidents. Essential users are all emergency and rescue services, commercial fishers, boat-based businesses and people retrieving boats from Port Stephens waterways to transport to other areas.
  • all Council owned sporting venues and facilities
  • BBQ areas
  • playgrounds and play equipment
  • outdoor fitness stations or exercise equipment
  • skate and BMX parks
  • enclosed dog parks
Signs will be erected at these facilities to indicate the areas are closed until further notice. Fencing will not be installed around open spaces, but I ask that you do not enter these areas.

I know these measures are tough but please know we don’t take this decision lightly.

These are unprecedented times and the safety and wellbeing of our community and Council staff is most important to me.

I want to thank you for your understanding during this very challenging time. The strength and resilience shown by the people of Port Stephens is wonderful to see.

I encourage you to continue following the NSW government guidelines, to stay home where possible, practice good hygiene and maintain social distancing.

You can access the latest information from NSW Health here.

We're still here to help you in any way that we can, and we will keep delivering our services for our community while doing everything we can to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Please contact us on 4988 0255 if you have any other questions about Council’s services or stay up to date on Council's services on our dedicated page.

Wishing you safety and good health,

Ryan