Completed projects for Karuah Place Plan
Make way for festivities and events in Karuah.
Completed: Throughout 2023.
Port Stephens Council provided several activations and events that were well supported by residents and visitors throughout the year. They included:
Karuah – It’s On Kidszone – January 2023
Over 60 kids joined us at It’s On! Kidszone event at Karuah in January. Kids enjoyed giant games and music – there was even a visit by some special superheroes! All Kidszone events are free and suitable for children aged 2 to 10 years old.
It’s On – Tastes Like Summer – January 2023
Thanks to a NSW Government grant, we were able to help Karuah celebrate summer in style with a great twilight event held at Longworth Park that featured community connection, food and music. This event, proudly funded by the NSW Government and brought to you by Port Stephens Council attracted over 200 people.
Karuah by Night – April 2023
Over 1000 people came together at Longworth Park to celebrate all things Karuah in April. The event was proudly funded by the Reconnecting Regional NSW Grant and was designed to celebrate the best parts of Karuah – the river for its historical and cultural significance, the community who've come together to deliver enriching programs and the beautiful open spaces! Attendees walked amongst the underwater brightly coloured neon sea creatures and experienced the Neon Tunnel for glow-in-the-dark fun, as well as local music, food trucks and cultural activities. The evening culminated with a spectacular sound and light show.
Snak ‘n’ Rap event – October 2023
Held at the skatepark at Aliceton Reserve, Port Stephens Council partnered with Up&Up to host a great event for Karuah youth that featured music, art, food, fun and good vibes at the Snak 'n' Rap event. Kids participated in street art workshops, and learned how to scratch with DJ Mathmatics – with some even taking the mic and freestyling!
Karuah Timber and Oyster Festival – October 2023
It was great to see the Karuah Oyster and Timber Festival go ahead in 2023 after the event was postponed due to bad weather in 2022. A wonderful community celebrating the oyster & timber industries and the importance they make to the Karuah community. Attendees enjoyed woodchopping displays, markets & food stalls, and entertainment.
All of these events and activations relate to Actions 1.2, 1.5, 1.10, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, and 2.7 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Approximately 40 businesses in Karuah came together to network and share information at a Meet and Greet event that was held in November 2023 at Karuah RSL. These informal Meet & Greet events are a collaboration of Business Port Stephens, Destination Port Stephens, Port Stephens Women in Business, The Business Centre and Council who all speak briefly about how they can support business in Port Stephens. The event also allows for networking and learning more about each other’s offerings and how to support a healthy economy.
This project was completed in November 2023.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.5, 1.10 of the Karuah Place Plan.
The program was offered across selected areas of the LGA, including Karuah and saw 158 people participate over this time. The program was funded through an Australian Government Be Connected Network grant and Council partnered with Youngster.co to deliver the program. The program provide new opportunities for seniors to learn new digital skills and get local tech help. The program also created jobs for local youth and provided the foundation of some quality relationships. For further information click here.
Council launched the Be Connected digital skills campaign in May 2022 and completed the program in September 2023.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.10 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Community consultation took place in February/March 2023 with 193 comments and 38 people attending a drop in session to let council know what they would like to see included in the revised design of the reserve. The installation of new pathways and the new playground were finalised in November 2023.
This project was completed in November 2023.
This project relates to Actions 1.10, 3.2 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Concept design and playground construction for Aliceton Reserve is now complete. For further information please visit the Aliceton Reserve Project page
In August 2021 the QX disease was detected in Sydney Rock Oysters from Port Stephens heavily impacting many of the farms in Karuah with business closures and significant financial pressure. This has meant we have needed to take a different approach to implementing action 2.21 of the Karuah Place Plan.
We have worked with local farmers and businesses to develop a snapshot of the losses which was used as an advocacy tool for financial relief. Recently the NSW Government has announced a $240,000 fee waiver from the Fisheries and Food Authority State Levy Fees which intends to provide some relief to the local industry as they navigate how to mitigate the impacts of this disease.
This project was completed in November 2023.
This project relates to action 2.12 of the Karuah Place Plan.
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 was completed in July 2023.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.3 and 1.5 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Stage 1 of this action involved community consultation that was conducted in the first quarter of 2023, identifying that Memorial Park wasn’t the best location for RV parking area. Port Council also secured a grant to provide equipment for upgrades to the dump point and freshwater amenity needed for RV users.
The Karuah Centre has been identified as the best option for the short-term RV and caravan parking area. Stage 2 of this project will commence October 2024. For more information, please go to our dedicated project page.
This project relates to Actions 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 3.1 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Restore the Wetland Walk – stage 1 included sourcing quotes, applying for grant funding as well as developing a wetlands action plan.
Port Stephens Council has been working with Karuah Progress Association and Landcare to repair the boardwalk. To date, quotes have been sourced and the funding application for grant funding through Crown Reserves was submitted in December 2023. Council has also been talking with Landcare to develop an Action plan to start to repair the wetlands (Stage 4 of Karuah Revegetation Project) and in addition, Port Stephens
Also have been successful in Unsung Heroes grant that would see volunteer event funded to ask community to step in and help.
Stage 1 of this project was completed in December 2023.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.8, 2.2 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Port Stephens Council has been working with the Karuah community to determine artwork for Karuah bypassed signage.
Stage 1 of the project has now been completed. This included organizing professional photographer to take a selection of images of Karuah. 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. We have received approvals from local Member as well as community groups and now move into stage 2 of the project.
Stage 2 of the project will see the manufacture and installation of the north and south bound signs by Transport for NSW. This is expected to take place by April 2024.
Want to know more? Please contact Beck from council via email Rebecca.morley@portstephens.nsw.gov.au if you’d like to learn more.
Stage 1 of this project was completed in July 2023.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.8, 2.2 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 blgonzales@gmail.com 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 blgonzales@gmail.com if you’d like to learn more about this project – she'd love to hear from you!
This project was completed in December 2022.
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 cherylcrot@gmail.com 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 grant 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 riversidemotel@live.com.au if you want to learn more about this project – she'd love to hear from you!
This project was completed in November 2022.
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 brett.sweetnam@optusnet.com.au – 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 generalmanager@krsl.com.au – 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 karuahpublicschool@pandcaffiliate.org.au – she'd love to hear from you, especially if you are interested in becoming a volunteer or stallholder at the markets!
This project was completed in August 2022.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 2.6, 2.7 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Council have employed a full time Place Project Planning Manager to facilitate implementation of the Karuah Place Plan. In addition, resources such as ‘Planning for Your Place’ newsletters are sent out monthly (now seasonally) to provide updates to community members. Fact sheets and project updates can be found on the dedicated Karuah Place Plan webpage where people can also find up to date information on the status of the actions.
Council staff have worked with a number of community members and organisations to secure a number of grants that have allowed a number of actions and community projects to be completed.
This project was completed in April 2022.
This project relates to Actions 1.10 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Tourism operators including Big 4, Riverside Motel and Coles Bros. Oysters worked with Port Stephens Council and Destination Port Stephens to further develop the tourism offering in Karuah. Outcomes included development of new tourism itineraries, new editorial content as well as entering the NSW Business awards for tiny tourism town. Whilst we didn’t win on this occasion, this collaboration has set up a good foundation for the future. Click here to check out new touring resources to attract people to Karuah.
This project was completed in May 2022.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.3, 1.5 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Town entry signage provides residents and visitors with a sense of arrival to a place. The new town entry sign was installed ion the south side of Karuah in September 2022.
This project was completed in September 2022.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.8, 1.10 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Port Stephens Council and NSW Farmers worked with Oceanwatch who were successful in receiving $24,000 from Destination NSW to go towards the 2024 NSW Oyster conference. Due to the impact that the QX disease has had on Port Stephens farmers, the conference has been moved with the intent of bringing it back to Port Stephens in future years when the environment is stable.
This project was completed in July 2022. Has been postponed but will be hosted in Port Stephens in future years to come.
This project relates to action 1.10, 2.12 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Did you have a chance to meet with Business Advisor; Martin McKenzie from The Business Centre when he was in town on the Wednesday 13 July? The Business Connect program is a great opportunity for business owners and entrepreneurs to talk through ideas, concerns and more with a skilled advisor – all in confidence and for free (up to 60 hours).
If you missed out on this first event and are interested to book some time with an advisor, just call the Business Centre on 4925 7700 and ask to register for the Business Connect program. They can also provide appointments via zoom.
This project was completed in July 2022.
This project relates to Actions 1.2, 1.10 of the Karuah Place Plan.
Port Stephens Council advocated on behalf of the township of Karuah to have accurate details updated on Google maps. The new and correct information now shows Karuah distance to/from Nelson Bay via the road (40 mins) not across the water (8 kms) which was causing unnecessary stress to visitors.
This project was completed in December 2022.
This project relates to Action 2.2 of the Karuah Place Plan
Make way for festivities and events in Karuah. Completed: Throughout 2022.
Port Stephens Council facilitated a number of events for the Karuah community in 2022. They included: Karuah Place Plan Launch – May 2022 Thank you to those of you who joined us for the launch of the Karuah Place Plan that was held on Sunday 1 May. The event was held at Lionel Morton Oval with close to 200 people visiting throughout the day. Community members enjoyed food truck fare as well as entertainment and face painting for the kids. The adopted place plan was displayed on the wall of the clubhouse and gave people a good opportunity to learn more about the actions outlined in the plan and how they could get involved. Chalk the Walk – June long weekend, 2022 Did you have a chance to check out the fabulous chalk drawing on display outside The Karuah Centre over the June long weekend? Zest International provided a wonderful opportunity to watch the 3D fishing drawing come to life. Visitors and residents also enjoyed a sausage sizzle as well as live music from talented, young person – Rochelle Rigby, who lives in Karuah. It’s On – Tastes Like Summer – December 2022 Thanks to a NSW Government grant, we were able to help Karuah celebrate summer in style with a great twilight event held at Longworth Park that featured community connection, local food vendors and music. This event is proudly funded by the NSW Government and brought to you by Port Stephens Council. Karuah Timber and Oyster Festival – Postponed October 2022 The organisers of the Karuah Oyster and Timber Festival were successful in their funding application through Council’s Community Event Fund for the amount of $3000. Even though the event was postponed due to bad weather, it was wonderful to hear that the event will proceed in 2023 instead. All of these event and activations relate to Actions 1.2, 1.10, 2.5, 2.6 of the Karuah Place Plan
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