Karuah Place Plan
Karuah is moving forward with new housing developments, bringing an increasing number of young families to the town. Future planning is focused on driving social wellbeing, creating a more connected town centre, better accessibility to the waterfront and improved community facilities for all to enjoy.
The Karuah Place Plan recognises the values and priorities of Karuah community. It has been designed to support the Karuah Growth Strategy by identifying additional opportunities for residential development, employment lands and public infrastructure.
Key documents
- View the Council Meeting Minutes 26 October 2021 (PDF 15.3 MB) in which the Karuah Place Plan was endorsed
- Click to view submissions in the Attachments of Council Meeting Tuesday 22 March 2022 (PDF 6.2 MB)
Place plan timeline
Liveability score
In September 2020, we teamed up with Place Score to complete our first ever place census. Over 3,700 people across the LGA, including people who live, play and visit Karuah, told us what they value and how they rate their neighbourhood. The survey results helped us identify the priorities for the Karuah community and plan accordingly
Download the Liveability index for Karuah to learn more about what the residents value most in this area.
Place plan projects
The community of Karuah has embraced the adopted Place Plan and are in the process of completing some amazing projects for their town.
See some of the completed projects and events that have improved the vibrancy of the town.
- View the downloadable report here.
It’s not too late to get involved with the next community project. We encourage you to reach out to your Town Team Leader and help us create an even better place for Karuah!
Ongoing:
Concept design and playground construction for Aliceton Reserve is progressing. For further updates visit the Aliceton Reserve Project page
This project relates Actions 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Port Stephens Council have been working with Transport for NSW to install both north and south bypassed signage. The hero image for the sign was chosen by community consultation and features the iconic bridge, mural and foreshore area. The signs will encourage people to take a break from their journey, stop into Karuah and spend some time and money in the town.
Want to know more? Please contact Beck from council via email [email protected] if you’d like to learn more.
This project is due to be completed end of February 2023.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.8, 2.2 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Completed:
Community member, Lisa Floyd was a successful recipient of council’s vibrant spaces fund and is using the money for the next stage of the Mainstreet Beautification project. The project will look at creating a verge garden in Tarean Road to create a more vibrant and welcoming mainstreet.
On Tuesday 18 July, volunteers and council staff enjoyed a community planting day event held to beautify and enhance the mainstreet of Karuah.
This was stage 2 of the mainstreet beautification project and included creating a verge garden in the median strip of Tarean Road.
The event saw 16 volunteers contribute their time as well as multiple donations from the residents and businesses of plants, money and equipment to support the event.
A wonderful example of how to come together to make a positive impact on place!
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.3 and 1.5 of the Karuah Place Plan.
In July 2023, Karuah was formally endorsed by the Town Team Movement – making them Town Team #125 in Australia!
Town Teams are a-political and not governed formally by a constitution, consisting of dedicated community members coming together to achieve positive outcomes for their place. Town teams are empowered to identify, plan and deliver key place based projects and are supported with resources, ideas and advice from the Town Team Movement. Establishing this team, with the support of Karuah Progress Association will continue to assist in developing a vision for Karuah whilst also supporting the implementation of the actions of the place plan.
Please contact Bre from Karuah Progress Association via email [email protected] if you’d like to learn more about this project – she'd love to hear from you!
This project relates to Actions 1.2 and 1.10 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Karuah Progress Association were a successful recipient of Council’s grants program and are using this money to create an artwork under the Karuah bridge to add vibrancy to an otherwise tired space.
Renowned local artist, Jordon Lucky was commissioned to paint the artwork which pays homage to the local environment. The artwork features local flora and fauna of significance to the area. The mural also features the Aboriginal place name “Garuwa” and school children have left mark on the painting signifying hope for the future.
Karuah Progress would like to thank our local elders, Transport for NSW, Port Stephens Council and our local community on this process. We hope it is one of many more we can support in Karuah with further involvement from others to activate spaces and create a walking art trail to feature the many elements that make Karuah home.
Please contact Bre from Karuah Progress Association via email [email protected] if you’d like to learn more about this project – she'd love to hear from you!
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.3 and 1.5 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Karuah Progress Association successfully applied for a Vibrant Spaces grant with Port Stephens Council, valued at $6000 to revegetate the Karuah riverbank. Stages 1, 2 and 3 have now been completed.
Karuah Conservation Crew were a successful recipient of Council’s grants program in 2020 and have used their money to purchase native plants and netting to stabilise the Karuah riverbank. The local Landcare group, worked with the community and local school children and have restored the banks along the river, creating a beautiful outlook for those walking the path between Memorial and Longworth Parks.
Please contact Cheryl from Landcare Karuah Conservation Crew via email [email protected] if you’d like to learn more about the outcome of this project – she’d love to hear from you!
This project was completed December 2022.
The grants was valued at $6000.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.4 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Port Stephens Council worked with Russ’ Bakery and Black Swan Café to activate outdoor dining areas in preparation for the Spring / Summer season of 2022. All of these businesses face out onto Tarean Road, the mainstreet of Karuah and have the opportunity to explore options for place activation through outdoor dining and alfresco rebate program thus stimulating the night time economy in Karuah. For more information on the program click here.
This project was completed in November 2022.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.10, 2.3, 2.5 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Community member, Lisa Floyd was a successful recipient of council’s grants program and used the money for the Mainstreet Beautification project. As team leader, Lisa worked with a selection of the community to organise community working bees to see this project into fruition. This project includes the installation of planter boxes and seating on Tarean Road to beautify the mainstreet.
Please contact Lisa from Riverside Motel via email [email protected] if you want to learn more about this project – she'd love to hear from you!
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Whilst the annual Karuah Oyster and Timber Festival didn’t go ahead in October 2022 due to inclement weather, the first of the Western Harbour cruises still took place on Saturday 15 October, 2022. As part of this project, the working group looked at attracting visitors from Nelson Bay to Karuah with Moonshadow-TQC hosting 65 people on the day. Passengers enjoyed learning about the history of the Western section of the Port, the significance of our oyster industry and of course, our beautiful waterways.
Want to know more about next year’s Oyster and Timber Festival? Please contact Event Manager Brett Sweetnam via email [email protected] – he'd love to hear from you!
This projects was completed October 2022.
This project relates to Actions 1.5, 2.11 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Port Stephens Council, working with Karuah RSL, The Karuah Centre, Karuah LALC and Karuah Progress Association were successful in applying for a grant from Transport for NSW to provide an on demand bus service for 2 years. This service runs Tuesday and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm and provides a way to transfer residents into the main street of Karuah for shopping and social interaction. For more details, click here.
Want to know more? Please contact Chris from Karuah RSL via email [email protected] – he'd love to hear from you!
This project is due to be completed July 2024.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 2.3 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Karuah P&C were a successful recipient of council’s grants program and used the money to create a regular community market that is held at Karuah Public School on the third weekend of every month. The market provides an opportunity for the community to come together, connect and celebrate local culture and showcase local micro businesses, artisans and produce. The markets started on Sunday 21 August and run monthly thereafter.
Want to know more? Please contact Michelle from Karuah P&C Association via email [email protected] – she'd love to hear from you, especially if you are interested in becoming a volunteer or stallholder at the markets!
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 2.6, 2.7 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Get involved
You’re the expert when it comes to your place – we need your local knowledge and passion for your place to help develop and implement your Place Plan. There are many ways in which you can get involved:
- If you want to get involved in planning for your place, head to our Have Your Say page.
- Download our Place Plan factsheet to learn more (PDF 3.7 MB).
- Discover more about the progress of the Karuah Place plan by subscribing to our newsletter that is sent out every 2 months. Get in touch if you want to be part of the emailing list.
- Contact our Place Planning Project Manager today on 4988 0402 or via email on [email protected] to arrange a time to talk about your place planning idea or project.
Community grants
Our funding program gives eligible individuals, artists, community organisations, not-for-profits, businesses, students and others the opportunity to apply for funds to deliver initiatives that make a real difference to local communities and our region. These funding programs play a pivotal role in building capacity by supporting initiatives which enhance the social, cultural, environmental and economic life of our communities.
The Karuah Place Plan provides lots of inspiration for projects that would qualify under the grants program. Visit our Grants page for more information.
Community champions
Toni says she is most proud of her town because of the amazing community members who work together to support all students to be able to engage in learning. She is also proud that the school can support local elders in keeping Gathang language alive. Toni has been recognized as a Karuah Community Champion for her assistance in getting the Garuwa Community markets up and running. Visit her Facebook page for more details.
Lisa is a passionate community member and currently is heading up the Mainstreet Beautification project to add some vibrancy back into a part of Karuah's main street. Lisa says she is most proud of her town because of the amazing people who constantly offer their time and support on a volunteer basis to make great things happen for Karuah!
Introducing Cheryl Crotty, organiser of the local Conservation Crew in Karuah. Cheryl, her hubby and volunteers have been busy cleaning up the riverbank from Memorial Park to Longworth Park, so that residents and visitors can enjoy a beautiful walk around the river.
Cheryl, pictured, is a passionate member of the Karuah community, caring deeply for the environment and the people who look after it.
Introducing Jean Keeley, long time Karuah resident and manager of The Karuah Centre.
Jean has been working at the centre for over 14 years and has managed in excess of 20 volunteers in that time. Jean is most proud of giving back to the community and donating to people in need.
Jean is a passionate member of the Karuah community and would love to see more people get involved in volunteering at the centre. If you are interested, please contact Jean via email at [email protected].
Bre is a passionate member of the Karuah community stating: "It took me moving half way around the world to find a place that felt like home". The Karuah Progress Association are instrumental in many projects around the town with Bre providing her special skills to her community especially with her grant application writing skills.
The Karuah Progress Association meet on the last Wednesday of the month from 7pm at Karuah RSL. If you are interested in joining the Association, please contact Breanna via email [email protected].
Fred McInerney is long time resident and dedicated volunteer for Karuah. He has made a huge impact in many of his volunteer roles with Karuah Working Together, Karuah Progress Association, Karuah Rural Fire Service and many more.
An avid traveller with his wife, Fred always looks forward to coming home to assist with community projects and doesn't mind getting in and swinging a hammer, painting or gardening to help beautify and enhance Karuah!
Fred we give you 3 cheers - thank you for the positive impact you make in Karuah, we very much appreciate you!
Chris Fraser is the General Manager of the Karuah RSL. Chris started with the club in his current position in August 2022 and loves supporting the board to deliver positive outcomes for the residents and visitors of Karuah.
Chris has made a dedicated effort to provide a warm and friendly experience to club patrons, ensuring quality music and offering a variety of activities such as raffles to keep people engaged. He has also worked closely on behalf of the club on the Karuah Konnect project, has been involved in events held in Longworth Park, and provides the printing of the Karuah News each month.
Marion Brown coordinates and distributes The Karuah News. Marion also works hard to keep Karuah updated on upcoming events and activations through a number of social media channels. She is a dedicated resident of Karuah who downsized from Vacy 5 years ago and is currently working on the development of a website specifically for Karuah.
Contact us
Contact our Place Planning Project Manager on 4988 0402 or via email on [email protected] to arrange a time to talk about your place planning idea or project.