PORT Stephens Council is asking residents to have their say on how future pathway projects across the area should be prioritised.
Port Stephens News Of The Area attended the last of the community information forums at Soldiers Point
last Thursday night, where Council staff outlined the updated Port Stephens Pathways Plan and explained how proposed projects would be assessed.
The updated plan replaces the previous 2016 plan and introduces a new way of ranking pathway projects.
A Port Stephens Council engineer said the previous plan identified where pathways were needed, but did not provide a clear way of determining which projects should be completed first.
The new approach considered a number of factors, including connections to schools, shops, recreation areas, aged care facilities and other community destinations.
“We know that there are gaps in the network, and we want to prioritise filling those gaps,” the engineer said.
The proposed pathways have been divided into two broad categories – connection pathways and destination pathways.
Connection pathways are intended to link people with important destinations like schools and shops, and improve gaps in the existing network.
Destination pathways include routes used for recreation, such as walking and cycling paths that provide access to beaches, parks and other popular areas.
Council is also considering existing pathway connections, community feedback, wellbeing data and recreational use when assessing projects.
The updated plan is intended to be reviewed over time rather than remaining a fixed list of projects. Information can be added as new pathways are built and circumstances change.
Community feedback is now being sought on the draft plan.
Residents can view the proposed pathway projects and provide feedback, including identifying connections they believe are missing or should be considered.
The public exhibition closes on 9 September 2026.
For residents, the consultation provides an opportunity to look at the proposed pathway network and consider whether it reflects the needs of their local area.
Submissions can be made through Port Stephens Council’s public exhibition process.
By Althea GUINSBERG
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