Little Beach, Nelson Bay
Latest updates
12 January 2024
Following another busy Christmas and New Year, we received some feedback regarding the Little Beach upgrades. To help answer some of these queries please refer to the below information.
Little Beach amenities:
- We have achieved “lock up” and removed the construction fence from around the Changing Places Amenities and are waiting on a final compliance inspection to enable it to be open.
- The number of toilets has been reduced at Little Beach. The outcome was a balance between several factors:
- escalating maintenance costs of larger facilities and the average use throughout the year rather than short peak periods
- consideration of the extensive community feedback regarding the size and location of the new amenities
- the available project budget.
- Unisex toilets are common practice with most local councils around the state as we move towards delivering an improved public space for parents, carers, and children whilst increasing the general public's safety (more information on this page below)
Pooled water near showers:
- The area was freshly turfed days before Christmas. The ground at Little Beach is almost completely sand which means water generally infiltrates right through it. We acknowledge that there was no provision made for the amount of water that would filter through to that area over Christmas however we’re planning to fix this issue as soon as possible. Some services run along the slab in that area so we need to plan accordingly to ensure the best solution is implemented.
External taps:
- Council is moving away from providing external taps for public use due to vandalism and misuse. However, there are 2 taps still located at Little Beach: near the tree in the middle and at the southern end.
Shade shelters:
- Shelters over the picnic tables were initially part of this project but were removed due to limited funding. The concrete slabs were made large enough to accommodate shelters and will be included in future works at Little Beach Reserve.
If you see something you'd like us to know about, report it to us anywhere, any time through the ‘report and request’ tool.
Works to level up the surface in the reserve at Little Beach are currently underway. New turf was laid last week and top dressing is happening this week. Gardens around the new amenities buildings were also established this week.
Linemarking and signposting is completed. The area and parking configuration is a significant improvement for the area and this project is completed. A permanent lighting upgrade will be installed soon.
Project description
Port Stephens Council has been successful in an application for a $1.67 million Boating Now grant from the NSW Government. The funding will be used to upgrade the boat ramp and public amenities at Little Beach as well as improve pedestrian and vehicle access in the area. The new boat ramp will be designed to ensure a better boating experience for users.
- Replace boat ramp and upgrade pathways. This project has received funding from the NSW Government's Boating Now funding program.
- Replacing current amenities with a split building option incorporating 'Changing Places' accessible facilities, as well as change rooms and wheelchair storage.
- Replacement of the retaining wall at Little Beach Reserve.
- Updating the accessible playground at Little Beach Reserve with new play equipment, a drinking fountain, paths and bench seating.
- Plant shade trees and install more seating.
FAQs
| Project | Expected start month | Expected completion month | Status | Budget | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'Changing Places' amenities | October 2023 | December 2023 | In progress | $320K |
|
| Standard amenities | June 2023 | October 2023 | Completed | $480K |
|
| Park furniture - BBQ shelter and benches | September 2023 | October 2023 | Completed | $225K | 
|
| Water fountain | October 2023 | November 2023 | Completed | $10K |
|
| Shared path - Nelson Bay beach to Halifax Holiday Park | July 2023 | November 2023 | Completed | $1M |
|
| Beach wheelchair access ramp | October 2023 | December 2023 | Completed | $130K |
|
| Fish cleaning table | December 2023 | December 2023 | Completed | $50K |
|
| Car park redesign | TBC | TBC | Scheduled | $25K |
|
| Irrigation upgrade | July 2023 | November 2023 | Completed | $80K |
|
| Roadworks (Beach Road and High Pedestrian Activity Area – HPAA) | September 2023 | November 2023 | Completed (lighting to be installed ) | TBC |
|
We have been successful in receiving various funding for this project, all funding applications had a very strict criteria to be addressed. We're proud to have been granted the below funding to help turn Little Beach into a fully accessible precinct:
- Funding for the accessible playground upgrade (now complete) was received from the ‘Everyone Can Play’ grant together with Council development contributions.
- Funding for the amenities has come from Council and the NSW Government via the Regional Tourism Activation Fund, Boating Now Program and Recreational Fishing and Camping Facilities Program.
- The new furniture , wheelchair beach access ramp and shared pathway will also be funded by the NSW Government via the Regional Tourism Activation Fund and Public Spaces Legacy Fund.
Due to the number of projects involved in this upgrade the timing varies. The most up to date information regarding timing is mentioned in the table above and is updated weekly.
Yes, we already have 2 chairs in storage at Little Beach.
The new all abilities ramp to the sand provides a permanent and easy way to reach the sand and when used in conjunction with the beach wheel chairs the existing wharf provides direct access to the water—so no matting required.
Port Stephens, in particular Nelson Bay, is a popular tourist location. One of our key focus areas in our Community Strategic Plan is Community Wellbeing. With our aim to support wellbeing, inclusivity, accessibility and making all feel welcome. Creating the Little Beach accessibility precinct is a win for the community and accessible tourism.
At present Little Beach is our primary focus to create a precinct which encourages accessible tourism.
Unisex toilets are common practice with most local councils around the state as we move towards delivering an improved public space for parents, carers, and children whilst increasing the general public's safety.
- Privacy: eliminating urinals with self-contained toilets offers greater privacy.
- Improved public safety: self-contained toilets remove internal hallways or corridors, where people can gather, hide or linger.
- Access for parents, carers, and children: as a parent or carer, you’re able to take children or older persons under your care into the same toilet, rather than having to leave them unattended.
- Reduces wait times: people of the same gender can use unisex toilets at the same time, rather than leaving a toilet vacant while someone waits.
- Cleanliness: the open and airy design and metal materials allow for faster cleaning and drying.
We're are currently in our peak Summer holiday season, meaning more people are using our amenities. If you see something you'd like us to know about, report it to us anywhere, any time through the ‘report and request’ tool.
The dedicated Changing Places amenities will be the first in the Port Stephens area. The only other facilities in the Hunter region are the publically owned facility in Caves Beach, and a privately owned Changing Places amenities at Westfield Kotara.
The Changing Places amenities at Little Beach will include a ceiling hoist, adult-sized changing table, privacy screen and additional circulation space to meet the needs of people with complex disabilities and their carers.
These amenities are close to completion and we encourage people with all abilities, their families and their carers to come and enjoy Little Beach this summer.
The Little Beach Changing Places amenities will require a Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) to use the facility.
Learn more about Changing Places amenities here.