View source for Port Stephens Council

{{About|the [[Local government in Australia|local government area]]|the natural harbour|Port Stephens (New South Wales)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type              = lga
| name              = Port Stephens Council
| state             = nsw
| image             = Port Stephens Council Chambers.jpg
| caption           = The Port Stephens Council chambers in [[Raymond Terrace]], the council's centre of government
| image2            = Port Stephens LGA location map.svg
| caption2          = Location in [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Greater Newcastle]]
| coordinates       = {{coord|32|45|S|151|55|E|type:adm3rd_region:AU-NSW|display=inline,title}}
| pop               = 75,276
| pop_year          = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| pop_footnotes     = <ref name="Census2016">{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA16400|name=Port Stephens (A)|accessdate=16 November 2017|quick=on}}</ref>
| pop2               = 72695
| pop2_year          = 2018 est.
| pop2_footnotes     = <ref name=ABS3218.0>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02017-18|title=3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18|publisher=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]|date=27 March 2019|access-date=27 March 2019}} Estimated resident population (ERP) at 30 June 2018.</ref>
| density           = 76.89
| density_footnotes = 
| area              = 979
| area_footnotes    = <ref name=area>{{cite web|url=http://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/about.html|title=About Port Stephens|publisher=Port Stephens Council|access-date=6 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719063619/http://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/about.html|archive-date=19 July 2008}}</ref>
| timezone          = [[Australian Eastern Standard Time|AEST]]
| utc               = +10
| timezone-dst      = [[Australian Eastern Daylight Time|AEDT]]
| utc-dst           = +11
| mayor             = Leah Anderson ([[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor]])
| dist1             = 168
| dir1              = NNE
| location1         = Sydney
| dist2             = 25.8
| dir2              = N
| location2         = [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]
| dist3             = 22
| dir3              = E
| location3         = [[Maitland, New South Wales|Maitland]]
| seat              = [[Raymond Terrace]]
| region            = [[Hunter Region|Hunter]]<ref name=lga>{{cite web|url=http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_Regions.asp?regiontype=2&slacode=6400&region=HT|title=Suburb Search – Local Council Boundaries – Hunter (HT) – Port Stephens|publisher=[[New South Wales Division of Local Government]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621120504/http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_Regions.asp?regiontype=2&slacode=6400&region=HT|archive-date=21 June 2014|access-date=10 October 2012}}</ref>
| stategov          = [[Electoral district of Port Stephens|Port Stephens]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/District-profiles/Port-Stephens|title=Port Stephens|publisher=[[New South Wales Electoral Commission]] |access-date=23 November 2019}}</ref>
| stategov2         = [[Electoral district of Newcastle|Newcastle]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/District-profiles/Newcastle|title=Newcastle|publisher=[[New South Wales Electoral Commission]] |access-date=23 November 2019}}</ref>
| fedgov            = [[Division of Paterson|Paterson]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.aec.gov.au/esearch/LocalitySearchResults.aspx?filter=Paterson&filterby=Electorate|title=Paterson|publisher=[[Australian Electoral Commission]]|date=26 July 2012|access-date=10 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029100345/http://apps.aec.gov.au/esearch/LocalitySearchResults.aspx?filter=Paterson&filterby=Electorate|archive-date=29 October 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| logo              = Portstephens-logo.png
| logo_upright      = 1.22
| url               = www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au
| near-n            = [[Dungog Shire Council|Dungog]], [[MidCoast Council|Mid-Coast]]
| near-ne           = [[MidCoast Council|Mid-Coast]]
| near-e            = ''[[Tasman Sea]]''
| near-se           = ''[[Tasman Sea]]''
| near-s            = [[City of Newcastle|Newcastle]]
| near-sw           = [[City of Maitland|Maitland]]
| near-w            = [[City of Maitland|Maitland]]
| near-nw           = [[Dungog Shire Council|Dungog]]}}

'''Port Stephens Council''' (also known simply as '''Port Stephens''') is a [[Local government areas of New South Wales|local government area]] in the [[Hunter Region]] of [[New South Wales]], Australia. The area is just north of [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]] and is adjacent to the [[Pacific Highway, Australia|Pacific Highway]] which runs through [[Raymond Terrace]], the largest town and Council seat. The area is named after [[Port Stephens (New South Wales)|Port Stephens]], which is the major geographical feature of the area. It extends generally from the [[Hunter River (New South Wales)|Hunter River]] in the south, to near {{NSWcity|Clarence Town}} in the north, and from the [[Tasman Sea]] in the east, to just south of {{NSWcity|Paterson}} in the west. The mayor of Port Stephens Council is Leah Anderson. Port Stephens is about two and a half hours north of [[Sydney]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.portstephens-australia.com|title=Port Stephens Australia|website=Port Stephens Australia|language=en-US|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref>
{{TOC limit|2}}

==Main towns, villages and suburbs==
[[File:Raymond Terrace from Fitzgerald Bridge 02.jpg|thumb|right|[[Raymond Terrace]], located at the [[Confluence (geography)|confluence]] of the [[Hunter River (New South Wales)|Hunter]] and [[Williams River (New South Wales)|Williams]] rivers, is the largest town and administrative centre of Port Stephens Council]]
[[File:Nelson Bay.jpg|thumb|[[Nelson Bay, New South Wales|Nelson Bay]], a suburb of Port Stephens]]
Most of the population is concentrated in Raymond Terrace and its satellite suburb of [[Heatherbrae]], or around/near the shores of [[Port Stephens (New South Wales)|Port Stephens]] in the suburbs of [[Anna Bay]], [[Boat Harbour, New South Wales|Boat Harbour]], [[Corlette]], [[Fingal Bay]], [[Fishermans Bay]], [[Karuah]], [[Lemon Tree Passage, New South Wales|Lemon Tree Passage]], [[Mallabula]], [[Nelson Bay, New South Wales|Nelson Bay]], [[One Mile, New South Wales|One Mile]], Oyster Cove, [[Salamander Bay]], [[Shoal Bay, New South Wales|Shoal Bay]], [[Soldiers Point]], Swan Bay, [[Tanilba Bay]] and [[Taylors Beach]]. However, another significant portion of the population lives in a large rural/semi-rural area to the west of the [[Pacific Highway, Australia|Pacific Highway]] in the towns and suburbs of Balickera, Butterwick, [[Duns Creek]], [[Eagleton, New South Wales|Eagleton]], [[East Seaham]], [[Glen Oak]], [[Hinton, New South Wales|Hinton]], [[Nelsons Plains]], [[Osterley, New South Wales|Osterley]], [[Seaham, New South Wales|Seaham]], [[Wallalong]] and [[Woodville, New South Wales|Woodville]] and in the predominantly residential estate of [[Brandy Hill, New South Wales|Brandy Hill]].

In the southern part of the area are the rural communities of [[Bobs Farm]], [[Fern Bay]], [[Fullerton Cove]], [[Salt Ash]], [[Tomago]] and [[Williamtown, New South Wales|Williamtown]]. Tomago supports both rural and industrial communities while Williamtown is the location for a [[Royal Australian Air Force]] base that shares its airfield with [[Newcastle Airport, New South Wales|Newcastle Airport]].

At the northern end of the area are Karuah and Twelve Mile Creek. Located adjacent to Port Stephens and straddling the [[Karuah River]], Karuah is predominantly residential. It is the location of the largest [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] community in the area. Twelve Mile Creek is almost exclusively rural.

Centrally located in the area, between Raymond Terrace and Port Stephens are [[Campvale]], [[Ferodale]] and [[Medowie]]. Ferodale is dominated by [[Grahamstown Dam]], a man-made dam with a capacity of {{convert|131800|ML}} that is a major source of fresh water in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hunterwater.com.au/285.aspx|title=Grahamstown Dam|publisher=[[Hunter Water]]|access-date=23 September 2007}}</ref> The remainder of this area is a mix of rural, semi-rural and residential developments.

A map of the various towns, suburbs and localities within the Port Stephens Council area is available from the Port Stephens Council website.<ref name=suburbmap>{{Cite web |url=http://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/council/1084/45856.html |title=Council Wards and Boundaries |publisher=Port Stephens Council |date=12 March 2008 |access-date=6 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722094801/http://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/council/1084/45856.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=22 July 2008 }} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20070902144552/http://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/files/45855/File/PSCWardsLocalities.pdf map])</ref>

==Demographics==
At the [[Census in Australia#2011|2011 census]], there were {{formatnum:64807}} people in the Port Stephens local government area, of these 49.2 per cent were male and 50.8 per cent were female. [[Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people]] made up 3.6 per cent of the population, which was higher than the national and state averages of 2.5 per cent. The [[median#Medians for populations|median]] age of people in the Port Stephens Council area was 42 years, which was significantly higher than the national median of 37 years. Children aged 0 – 14 years made up 19.5 per cent of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 19.3 per cent of the population. Of people in the area aged 15 years and over, 52.0 per cent were married and 13.5 per cent were either divorced or separated.<ref name=abs2011pop>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA16400|name=Port Stephens (Local Government Area)|accessdate=10 October 2012|quick=on}}</ref>

Population growth in the Port Stephens Council area between the 2001 census and the {{CensusAU|2006}} was 7.10 per cent; and in the subsequent five years to the 2011 census, population growth was 7.15 per cent. When compared with total population growth of Australia for the same periods, being 5.78 per cent and 8.32 per cent respectively, population growth in the Port Stephens local government area was approximately equal to the national average.<ref name="Census2001"/><ref name="Census2006"/> The median [[household income|weekly income]] for residents within the Port Stephens Council area was significantly lower than the national average.<ref name=abs2011pop/>

At the 2011 census, the proportion of residents in the Port Stephens local government area who stated their [[ancestor|ancestry]] as [[Australians|Australian]] or [[Anglo-Celtic]] exceeded 81 per cent of all residents (national average was 65.2 per cent). In excess of 63% of all residents in the Port Stephens Council nominated a [[Religion in Australia|religious]] affiliation with [[Christianity in Australia|Christianity]] at the 2011 census, which was significantly higher than the national average of 50.2 per cent. Meanwhile, as at the census date, compared to the national average, households in the Port Stephens local government area had a significantly lower than average proportion (4.6 per cent) where two or more languages are spoken (national average was 20.4 per cent); and a significantly higher proportion (92.2 per cent) where [[Australian English|English]] only was spoken at home (national average was 76.8 per cent).<ref name=abs2011pop/>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=7|Selected historical census data for the Port Stephens Council local government area
|-
!colspan=3|Census year !!2001<ref name="Census2001">{{Census 2001 AUS|id=LGA16400 |name=Port Stephens (A) |accessdate=23 December 2013 |quick=on}}</ref>!!2006<ref name="Census2006">{{Census 2006 AUS|id=LGA16400 |name=Port Stephens (A) |accessdate=23 December 2013 |quick=on}}</ref>!!2011<ref name=abs2011pop/>!!2016<ref name="Census2016"/>
|-
|rowspan=4 colspan="2"|Population ||Estimated residents on Census night ||align="right"|{{formatnum:56474}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:60484}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:64807}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:69556}}
|-
|align="right"|LGA rank in terms of size within New South Wales ||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"| 36<small>th</small>
|-
|align="right"|% of New South Wales population ||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|0.94% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.93%
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian population ||align="right"|0.30% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.30% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.30% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.30%
|-
!colspan=3|Cultural and language diversity !! !! !! !!
|-
|rowspan=5 colspan=2|[[ancestor|Ancestry]],<br />top responses ||[[Australians|Australian]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|33.3% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;32.0%
|-
|[[English people|English]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|32.5% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;32.0%
|-
|[[Irish people|Irish]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|8.0% ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;8.2%
|-
|[[Scottish people|Scottish]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|7.5% ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;7.7%
|-
|[[German people|German]]||align="right"| ||align="right"| ||align="right"|3.1% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;3.0%
|-
|rowspan=5 colspan=2|Language,<br />top responses<br />(other than [[Australian English|English]]) ||[[Italian language|Italian]]||align="right"|0.2% ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;0.3% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.3% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.2%
|-
|[[Spanish language|Spanish]]||align="right"|n/c ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;n/c ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;n/c ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;0.2%
|-
|[[German language|German]]||align="right"|0.3% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;0.2% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.2% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.2%
|-
|[[Greek language|Greek]]||align="right"|0.2% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.2% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.2% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.2%
|-
|[[French language|French]]||align="right"|n/c ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;0.1% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;0.1% ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;0.2%
|-
!colspan=3|Religious affiliation !! !! !! !!
|-
|rowspan=5 colspan=2|[[Religion in Australia|Religious]] affiliation,<br />top responses ||[[Irreligion in Australia|No Religion]]||align="right"|11.9% ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;14.9% ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;18.7% ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;25.9%
|-
|[[Anglican Church of Australia|Anglican]]||align="right"|32.5% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;31.3% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;29.4% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;24.9%
|-
|[[Roman Catholic Church in Australia|Catholic]]||align="right"|24.2% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;23.5% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;23.3% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;21.7%
|-
|[[Uniting Church of Australia|Uniting Church]]||align="right"|8.0% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;7.2% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;6.4% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;4.9%
|-
|[[List of Presbyterian denominations in Australia|Presbyterian and Reformed]]||align="right"|4.5% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;4.1% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;3.9% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;n/c
|-
!colspan=3|Median weekly incomes !! !! !! !!
|-
|rowspan=2 colspan=2|Personal income ||Median weekly personal income||align="right"| ||align="right"|{{AUD}}388 ||align="right"|{{AUD}}498 ||align="right"|{{AUD}}571
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian median income||align="right"| ||align="right"|83.3% ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;86.3% ||align="right"|{{steady}}&nbsp;86.3%
|-
|rowspan=2 colspan=2|Family income  ||Median weekly family income||align="right"| ||align="right"|{{AUD}}{{formatnum:1029}}  ||align="right"|{{AUD}}{{formatnum:1245}} ||align="right"|{{AUD}}{{formatnum:1431}}
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian median income||align="right"| ||align="right"|87.9% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;84.1% ||align="right"|{{loss}}&nbsp;82.5%
|-
|rowspan=2 colspan=2| [[Household income]] ||Median weekly household income||align="right"| ||align="right"|{{AUD}}{{formatnum:830}}  ||align="right"|{{AUD}}{{formatnum:999}} ||align="right"|{{AUD}}{{formatnum:1180}}
|-
|align="right"|% of Australian median income||align="right"| ||align="right"|80.8% ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;81.0% ||align="right"|{{gain}}&nbsp;82.1%
|-
|}

==Council==

===Current composition and election method===
Port Stephens Council is composed of ten [[councillor]]s, including the mayor, for a fixed four-year term of office. The Mayor is [[Instant-runoff voting|directly]] elected while the nine other Councillors are elected [[Single transferable vote|proportionally]] as three separate [[Ward (country subdivision)|wards]], each electing three Councillors. The most recent election [[2024 New South Wales local elections|was held on 14 September 2024]], and the makeup of the Council, including the mayor, is as follows:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Party!!Councillors
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| [[Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch)|Labor]]
| align=right | 5
|-
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
| align=right | 3
|-
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division)|Liberal]]
| align=right | 1
|- 
| {{Australian party style|Nationals}}|&nbsp;
| [[Independent National (Australia)|Independent National]]
| align=right | 1
|-
|
| '''Total'''
| align=right | '''10'''
|}

The current Council, elected in 2024, in order of election by ward, is:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Ward!!colspan="2"|Councillor!!Party
|-
| Mayor<ref name="mayor">{{Cite web|url=http://vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au/port-stephens/mayoral|title=NSW Electoral Commission – Local Government Elections 2017|website=vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref>
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Leah Anderson
| Labor
|-
| rowspan="3"|East Ward
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| Nathan Errington
| Liberal
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Roz Armstrong
| Labor
|-
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Mark Watson
| Independent
|-
| rowspan="3"|Central Ward
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Chris Doohan
| Independent
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Jason Wells
| Labor
|-
| {{Australian party style|Nationals}}|&nbsp;
| Ben Niland
| Independent National<ref>{{cite web |title=BEN NILAND |url=https://elections.nsw.gov.au/candidatewebpage/getcandidatefile?NominationId=NzA3M2Y5M2QtZDc1Ni00YzE5LWE1NzYtMTYyZTZkZTVkOThk&pdfName=BEN_NILAND_C_PORTSTEPHENS_CENTRALWARD_CIS_CWP#toolbar=0 |publisher=New South Wales Electoral Commission |access-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002081936/https://elections.nsw.gov.au/candidatewebpage/getcandidatefile?NominationId=NzA3M2Y5M2QtZDc1Ni00YzE5LWE1NzYtMTYyZTZkZTVkOThk&pdfName=BEN_NILAND_C_PORTSTEPHENS_CENTRALWARD_CIS_CWP#toolbar=0 |archive-date=2 October 2024 |date=16 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3"|West Ward
| {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| Paul Le Mottee
| Independent
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Giacomo Arnott
| Labor
|-
| {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| Peter Francis 
| Labor
|}

==Election results==
===2024===
{{excerpt|Results of the 2024 New South Wales local elections in Hunter
|section=Port Stephens results}}

===2021===
{{excerpt|Results of the 2021 New South Wales local elections in Hunter
|section=Port Stephens results}}

==Past councillors==
===2017−present===
====Central Ward====
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! colspan="2"|Councillor
! Party
! colspan="2"|Councillor
! Party
! colspan="2"|Councillor
! Party
|-
| '''[[2017 New South Wales local elections|2017]]'''
| rowspan="2" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="2"|Chris Doohan
| rowspan="2"|[[Independent politician|Independent]]
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|Geoff Dingle
| rowspan="1"|[[Independent politician|Independent]]
| rowspan="2" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="2"|Steve Tucker
| rowspan="2"|[[Independent politician|Independent]]
|-
| '''[[2021 New South Wales local elections|2021]]'''
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|Jason Wells
| rowspan="1"|[[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor]]
|}

====East Ward====
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! colspan="2"|Councillor
! Party
! colspan="2"|Councillor
! Party
! colspan="2"|Councillor
! Party
|-
| '''[[2017 New South Wales local elections|2017]]'''
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|John Nell
| rowspan="1"|[[Independent politician|Independent]]
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|Sally Dover
| rowspan="1"|[[Independent politician|Independent]]
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|John Morello
| rowspan="1"|[[Independent politician|Independent]]
|-
| '''[[2021 New South Wales local elections|2021]]'''
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|Leah Anderson
| rowspan="1"|[[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor]]
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|Matthew Bailey
| rowspan="1"|[[New South Wales Liberal Party|Liberal]]
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|Glen Dunkley
| rowspan="1"|[[Independent politician|Independent]]
|}

====West Ward====
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! colspan="2"|Councillor
! Party
! colspan="2"|Councillor
! Party
! colspan="2"|Councillor
! Party
|-
| '''[[2017 New South Wales local elections|2017]]'''
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Independent Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|Ken Jordan
| rowspan="1"|[[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Independent Liberal]]
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Independent Liberal}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|Paul Le Mottee
| rowspan="1"|[[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Independent Liberal]]
| rowspan="2" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Independent}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="2"|Peter Kafer
| rowspan="2"|[[Independent politician|Independent]]
|-
| '''[[2021 New South Wales local elections|2021]]'''
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|Giacomo Arnott	
| rowspan="1"|[[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor]]
| rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|Labor}}|&nbsp;
| rowspan="1"|Peter Francis
| rowspan="1"|[[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor]]
|}

== Proposed merger with Newcastle ==
A [[Local government areas of New South Wales#Reviews of local government areas|2015 review of local government boundaries]] by the [[Government of New South Wales|NSW Government]] [[Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of New South Wales|Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal]] recommended the merger of a number of adjoining councils. In the initial proposal, Port Stephens Council was not included in any amalgamation proposals. However, after [[City of Lake Macquarie|Lake Macquarie City Council]] successfully avoided a proposed merger between it and [[City of Newcastle|Newcastle City Council]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-20/four-hunter-councils-deemed-unfit-for-future/6869232|title=Four Hunter councils deemed 'unfit for future'|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=20 October 2015|access-date=13 March 2016}}</ref> the [[Minister for Local Government (New South Wales)|Minister for Local Government]] subsequently proposed that Newcastle City Council instead merge with Port Stephens Council to form a new council with an area of {{convert|1045|km2|0|abbr=on}} and support a population of approximately 230,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dpc-olg-ss.s3.amazonaws.com/ebd29ec32c8e9f11f88353200e314b02/Newcastle-Port-Stephens.pdf |title=Merger proposal: Newcastle City Council, Port Stephens Council|publisher=[[Government of New South Wales]]|date=January 2016|access-date=13 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-18/surprise-council-merger-announcements-will-see-newcastle-amalga/7041230|title=Surprise council merger announcements will see Newcastle amalgamate with Port Stephens|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=18 December 2015|access-date=13 March 2016}}</ref>

The proposed merger was met with significant opposition. Thousands of residents attended rallies and signed petitions opposed to the proposal,<ref name=rallies>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-15/port-stephens-residents-rally-against-amalgamation/7167224|title='We're the losers': Port Stephens residents rally against merger|first=David|last=Marchese|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=15 February 2016|access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref> while 470 attended public inquiry meetings.<ref name=PSCsubmission>{{cite web|url=http://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/11737/PSC-submission-V14.pdf|title=Port Stephens Council Submission|publisher=Port Stephens Council|date=3 March 2016|access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref><ref name=meetings>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-04/port-stephens-residents-lash-out-at-council-merger-plan/7140248|title=Port Stephens residents lash out at council merger plan|first=Dan|last=Cox|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=4 February 2016|access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref> The [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly|state member]] for [[Electoral district of Port Stephens|Port Stephens]], [[Kate Washington]], former state member [[Craig Baumann]] and broadcaster [[Alan Jones (talkback host)|Alan Jones]] all publicly expressed their opposition.<ref name=rallies /><ref name=meetings /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/story/3691183/port-stephens-forum-tackles-merger|title=Port Stephens forum tackles merger|first=Sam|last=Norris|newspaper=[[Port Stephens Examiner]]|date=27 January 2016|access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref> Federal [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]] [[Australian House of Representatives|member]] for [[Division of Paterson|Paterson]], [[Bob Baldwin (politician)|Bob Baldwin]], spoke in parliament, urging the Liberal [[Second Baird ministry|Baird government]] to reconsider the proposal, claiming "this proposal seems to defy logic".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/story/3746248/baldwin-slams-merger-in-parliament-video|title=Baldwin slams merger in parliament|first=Sam|last=Norris|newspaper=[[Port Stephens Examiner]]|date=23 February 2016|access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbnnews.com.au/2016/02/23/bob-baldwin-urges-baird-government-to-re-think-council-merger|title=Bob Baldwin Urges Baird Government To Rethink Council Merger|first=Renee|last=Fedder|publisher=[[NBN Television|NBN News]]|date=23 February 2016|access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref> Port Stephens Council claimed that 93% of residents surveyed were opposed to the merger and included the results of its community survey in its submission to the delegate responsible for evaluating the merger.<ref name=PSCsubmission /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/your-council/about-council/proposedmerger|title=Fit for the future – proposed merger|publisher=Port Stephens Council|date=8 March 2016|access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref> In response to the government's proposal, Port Stephens Council formally asked the government to evaluate a merger between Port Stephens and [[Dungog Shire]].<ref name=PSCsubmission /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/story/3779845/port-stephens-requests-formal-dungog-merger-investigation|title=Port Stephens requests formal Dungog merger investigation|first=Sam|last=Norris|newspaper=[[Port Stephens Examiner]]|date=9 March 2016|access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref><ref name=dungogproposal>{{cite news|url=http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/3787930/merger-remark-sparks-anger|title=Merger remark sparks anger|first=Janelle|last=O'Neill|newspaper=The [[Maitland Mercury]]|date=13 March 2016|access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref> Although the mayor of Dungog Shire opposed the merger, it was reported that the proposal had community support within both local government areas.<ref name=dungogproposal /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbnnews.com.au/2016/03/09/port-stephens-to-pursue-merger-with-dungog|title=Port Stephens To Pursue Merger With Dungog|first=Renee|last=Fedder|publisher=[[NBN Television|NBN News]]|date=9 March 2016|access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref> The proposal was debated in the New South Wales parliament on 23 March 2016, with the Minister for Local Government confirming that the proposal had been referred to the [[Office of Local Government (New South Wales)|Office of Local Government]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dungogchronicle.com.au/story/3802231/letter-from-port-stephens-council/?cs=414|title=Port council speaks about proposed Dungog merger|first=Wayne|last=Wallis|newspaper=[[Dungog Chronicle]]|date=22 March 2016|access-date=21 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/3809528/merger-debate-reveals-progess-on-dungog-poll/|title=Paul Toole breaks silence on Newcastle and Port Stephens merger in parliament debate|first=Michael|last=McGowan|newspaper=[[The Newcastle Herald]]|date=23 March 2016|access-date=23 March 2016}}</ref>

On 14 February 2017, the NSW government announced it would not be proceeding with further regional council mergers, including the [[City of Newcastle|Newcastle City Council]] and Port Stephens Council merger.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.strongercouncils.nsw.gov.au/ |title=Stronger Councils Stronger Communities |publisher=[[Government of New South Wales]] |date=14 February 2017 |access-date=22 February 2017 }}</ref>

== Transport ==
[[File:Newcastle Airport, N.S.W., Australia (NTL YMLM).jpg|thumb|Interior of [[Newcastle Airport, New South Wales|Newcastle Airport]] terminal building in 2011]]
[[Port Stephens Coaches]] operates bus services in Port Stephens. It also provides services to Newcastle (terminating at [[Newcastle Interchange]]) and between Newcastle and Newcastle Airport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pscoaches.com.au/About|title=About Port Stephens Coaches|website=[[Port Stephens Coaches]]|language=en|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pscoaches.com.au/SiteFiles/pscoachescomau/Route_Map.pdf|title=Bus route map|website=Port Stephens Coaches|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227085444/http://pscoaches.com.au/SiteFiles/pscoachescomau/Route_Map.pdf|archive-date=2015-02-27|url-status=dead|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pscoaches.com.au/SiteFiles/pscoachescomau/Port_Stephens_To_Newcastle.pdf|title=Port Stephens to Newcastle|website=Port Stephens Coaches|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227085527/http://www.pscoaches.com.au/SiteFiles/pscoachescomau/Port_Stephens_To_Newcastle.pdf|archive-date=2015-02-27|url-status=dead|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref> Port Stephens Coaches also runs a daily coach service to [[Sydney]], terminating at [[Central railway station, Sydney|Central railway station]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pscoaches.com.au/Sydney-Express|title=Sydney Express Coach Service from Port Stephens Coaches|website=Port Stephens Coaches|language=en|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref>

[[Newcastle Airport, New South Wales|Newcastle Airport]] is located in [[Williamtown, New South Wales|Williamtown]]. It has direct flights to [[Brisbane Airport|Brisbane]], [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]], [[Ballina Byron Gateway Airport|Ballina]], [[Canberra Airport|Canberra]], [[Dubbo City Regional Airport|Dubbo]], [[Gold Coast Airport|Gold Coast]], [[Sydney Airport|Sydney]] and [[Taree Airport|Taree]]. It is served by [[Virgin Australia]], [[QantasLink]], [[FlyPelican]] and [[Jetstar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleairport.com.au/flights/destinations|title=Destinations|website=www.newcastleairport.com.au|access-date=10 July 2022}}</ref>

[[Newcastle Interchange]] is the nearest major railway station to Port Stephens. [[NSW TrainLink]] operates services from here to Sydney, [[Maitland railway station|Maitland]], [[Telarah railway station|Telarah]], [[Dungog railway station|Dungog]], [[Muswellbrook railway station|Muswellbrook]] and [[Scone railway station|Scone]]. The station is served by [[Central Coast & Newcastle Line]] and [[Hunter Line]] services.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.portstephensgetaway.com.au/?page=31|title=Port Stephens Getaway – Self Contained Accommodation Around Port Stephens – Getting Here|last=Ltd|first=AVTB Pty|website=www.portstephensgetaway.com.au|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="CentralCoastTimetable">{{Cite New South Wales transport timetables|Central Coast & Newcastle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite New South Wales transport timetables|Hunter}}</ref>

Port Stephens Ferry Service provides a ferry link between [[Nelson Bay, New South Wales|Nelson Bay]] and [[Tea Gardens]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.portstephensferryservice.com.au/web/timetable/|title=Port Stephens Ferry Service {{!}} Ferry Link & Dolphin Watch Cruises – Nelson Bay – Hawks Nest – Tea Gardens – Port Stephens Ferry Timetable|website=www.portstephensferryservice.com.au|language=en|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref>

==Climate==
Port Stephens Council covers an area of {{Convert|979|km2|sqmi|0}}, stretching approximately {{Convert|57|km|mi|0}} from east to west and approximately {{Convert|30|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from north to south, and experiences various climatic conditions throughout the LGA.<ref name=area/><ref name=suburbmap/> These are monitored by five weather stations, four of which are located at the approximate [[Cardinal direction|cardinal points]] of the area, operated by the [[Bureau of Meteorology]]. The fifth station is located on [[RAAF Base Williamtown]]. The following tables indicate average climatic data throughout the area.

===Eastern===
{{Weather box
| metric first = yes
| single line  = yes
| location     = Nelson Head, [[Nelson Bay, New South Wales|Nelson Bay]]
| source = <ref>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref=cw_061054|site_name=Nelson Bay (Nelson Head)|access-date=6 June 2008}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| Jan high C  = 27.3
| Feb high C  = 27.1
| Mar high C  = 25.9
| Apr high C  = 23.7
| May high C  = 20.8
| Jun high C  = 18.4
| Jul high C  = 17.5
| Aug high C  = 18.9
| Sep high C  = 21.4
| Oct high C  = 23.3
| Nov high C  = 24.8
| Dec high C  = 26.3
<!-- -->
| Jan low C  = 18.2
| Feb low C  = 18.4
| Mar low C  = 17.0
| Apr low C  = 14.6
| May low C  = 11.7
| Jun low C  = 9.4
| Jul low C  = 8.4
| Aug low C  = 9.3
| Sep low C  = 11.2
| Oct low C  = 13.5
| Nov low C  = 15.2
| Dec low C  = 17.1
<!-- -->
| Jan record high C = 36.5
| Feb record high C = 41.5
| Mar record high C = 36.0
| Apr record high C = 30.5
| May record high C = 26.7
| Jun record high C = 24.0
| Jul record high C = 24.4
| Aug record high C = 27.4
| Sep record high C = 34.2
| Oct record high C = 33.9
| Nov record high C = 40.6
| Dec record high C = 39.3
<!-- -->
| Jan record low C  = 11.0
| Feb record low C  = 14.5
| Mar record low C  = 11.5
| Apr record low C  = 9.0
| May record low C  = 6.1
| Jun record low C  = 4.4
| Jul record low C  = 2.2
| Aug record low C  = 1.1
| Sep record low C  = 5.0
| Oct record low C  = 8.5
| Nov record low C  = 6.7
| Dec record low C  = 9.0
<!-- -->
| Jan rain mm  = 100.8
| Feb rain mm  = 111.3
| Mar rain mm  = 119.2
| Apr rain mm  = 126.7
| May rain mm  = 152.2
| Jun rain mm  = 153.1
| Jul rain mm  = 141.1
| Aug rain mm  = 105.5
| Sep rain mm  = 88.8
| Oct rain mm  = 78.3
| Nov rain mm  = 78.8
| Dec rain mm  = 95.0
}}

===North===
{{Weather box
| metric first = yes
| single line  = yes
| location     = Wallaroo State Forest, [[Twelve Mile Creek, New South Wales|Twelve Mile Creek]]
| source = <ref>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref=cw_061076|site_name=Raymond Terrace (Wallaroo State Forest)|access-date=6 June 2008}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| Jan high C  = 28.3
| Feb high C  = 27.8
| Mar high C  = 26.5
| Apr high C  = 23.0
| May high C  = 19.8
| Jun high C  = 17.1
| Jul high C  = 16.4
| Aug high C  = 18.0
| Sep high C  = 21.2
| Oct high C  = 23.7
| Nov high C  = 26.2
| Dec high C  = 28.0
<!-- -->
| Jan low C  = 16.3
| Feb low C  = 16.4
| Mar low C  = 14.8
| Apr low C  = 11.0
| May low C  = 7.4
| Jun low C  = 5.8
| Jul low C  = 3.6
| Aug low C  = 4.8
| Sep low C  = 6.7
| Oct low C  = 10.2
| Nov low C  = 12.4
| Dec low C  = 14.6
<!-- -->
| Jan record high C =
| Feb record high C =
| Mar record high C =
| Apr record high C =
| May record high C =
| Jun record high C =
| Jul record high C =
| Aug record high C =
| Sep record high C =
| Oct record high C =
| Nov record high C =
| Dec record high C =
<!-- -->
| Jan record low C  =
| Feb record low C  =
| Mar record low C  =
| Apr record low C  =
| May record low C  =
| Jun record low C  =
| Jul record low C  =
| Aug record low C  =
| Sep record low C  =
| Oct record low C  =
| Nov record low C  =
| Dec record low C  =
<!-- -->
| Jan rain mm  = 124.8
| Feb rain mm  = 121.7
| Mar rain mm  = 142.6
| Apr rain mm  = 100.0
| May rain mm  = 99.7
| Jun rain mm  = 118.7
| Jul rain mm  = 63.4
| Aug rain mm  = 68.1
| Sep rain mm  = 58.2
| Oct rain mm  = 79.7
| Nov rain mm  = 83.0
| Dec rain mm  = 90.6
}}

===South-central===
{{Weather box
| metric first = yes
| single line  = yes
| location     = [[RAAF Base Williamtown]]
| source = <ref>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref=/cw_061078|site_name=Williamtown RAAF|access-date=6 June 2008}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| Jan high C  = 27.9
| Feb high C  = 27.5
| Mar high C  = 26.2
| Apr high C  = 23.7
| May high C  = 20.2
| Jun high C  = 17.6
| Jul high C  = 17.0
| Aug high C  = 18.6
| Sep high C  = 21.2
| Oct high C  = 23.6
| Nov high C  = 25.4
| Dec high C  = 27.2
<!-- -->
| Jan low C  = 18.0
| Feb low C  = 18.1
| Mar low C  = 16.3
| Apr low C  = 13.2
| May low C  = 10.1
| Jun low C  = 7.8
| Jul low C  = 6.4
| Aug low C  = 6.9
| Sep low C  = 9.0
| Oct low C  = 12.0
| Nov low C  = 14.2
| Dec low C  = 16.5
<!-- -->
| Jan record high C = 44.4
| Feb record high C = 42.8
| Mar record high C = 40.7
| Apr record high C = 37.0
| May record high C = 29.6
| Jun record high C = 26.6
| Jul record high C = 27.8
| Aug record high C = 30.1
| Sep record high C = 36.0
| Oct record high C = 39.4
| Nov record high C = 43.2
| Dec record high C = 42.8
<!-- -->
| Jan record low C  = 9.4
| Feb record low C  = 9.6
| Mar record low C  = 8.6
| Apr record low C  = 2.1
| May record low C  = −0.6
| Jun record low C  = 0.0
| Jul record low C  = −3.9
| Aug record low C  = −1.9
| Sep record low C  = 0.4
| Oct record low C  = 3.0
| Nov record low C  = 5.1
| Dec record low C  = 7.9
<!-- -->
| Jan rain mm  = 99.9
| Feb rain mm  = 121.4
| Mar rain mm  = 121.7
| Apr rain mm  = 104.2
| May rain mm  = 115.0
| Jun rain mm  = 121.0
| Jul rain mm  = 71.6
| Aug rain mm  = 78.1
| Sep rain mm  = 59.4
| Oct rain mm  = 74.5
| Nov rain mm  = 80.9
| Dec rain mm  = 80.0
}}

===Western===
{{Weather box
| metric first = yes
| single line  = yes
| location     = Tocal Automatic Weather Station (AWS), [[Tocal, New South Wales|Tocal]]
| source = <ref>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref=cw_061250|site_name=Paterson (Tocal AWS)|access-date=6 June 2008}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| Jan high C  = 29.6
| Feb high C  = 28.8
| Mar high C  = 26.9
| Apr high C  = 24.3
| May high C  = 20.7
| Jun high C  = 17.7
| Jul high C  = 17.3
| Aug high C  = 19.3
| Sep high C  = 22.2
| Oct high C  = 24.9
| Nov high C  = 26.6
| Dec high C  = 29.1
<!-- -->
| Jan low C  = 17.5
| Feb low C  = 17.5
| Mar low C  = 15.6
| Apr low C  = 12.4
| May low C  = 9.7
| Jun low C  = 7.4
| Jul low C  = 6.1
| Aug low C  = 6.6
| Sep low C  = 8.8
| Oct low C  = 11.4
| Nov low C  = 13.8
| Dec low C  = 16.2
<!-- -->
| Jan record high C = 43.7
| Feb record high C = 44.6
| Mar record high C = 41.2
| Apr record high C = 37.3
| May record high C = 29.5
| Jun record high C = 26.1
| Jul record high C = 27.3
| Aug record high C = 30.4
| Sep record high C = 36.2
| Oct record high C = 40.1
| Nov record high C = 42.5
| Dec record high C = 44.2
<!-- -->
| Jan record low C  = 8.6
| Feb record low C  = 9.4
| Mar record low C  = 8.0
| Apr record low C  = 1.3
| May record low C  = 0.5
| Jun record low C  = 0.2
| Jul record low C  = −4.7
| Aug record low C  = −1.5
| Sep record low C  = −0.6
| Oct record low C  = 3.4
| Nov record low C  = 5.3
| Dec record low C  = 6.2
<!-- -->
| Jan rain mm  = 108.5
| Feb rain mm  = 116.3
| Mar rain mm  = 118.1
| Apr rain mm  = 76.4
| May rain mm  = 76.8
| Jun rain mm  = 71.1
| Jul rain mm  = 39.3
| Aug rain mm  = 37.9
| Sep rain mm  = 47.8
| Oct rain mm  = 67.3
| Nov rain mm  = 81.5
| Dec rain mm  = 78.2
}}

===Southern===
{{Weather box
| metric first = yes
| single line  = yes
| location     = Nobbys Signal Station AWS, [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]
| source = <ref>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref=cw_061055|site_name=Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station AWS|access-date=6 June 2008}}</ref>
<!-- -->
| Jan high C  = 25.5
| Feb high C  = 25.4
| Mar high C  = 24.7
| Apr high C  = 22.8
| May high C  = 20.0
| Jun high C  = 17.5
| Jul high C  = 16.7
| Aug high C  = 18.0
| Sep high C  = 20.2
| Oct high C  = 22.1
| Nov high C  = 23.5
| Dec high C  = 24.9
<!-- -->
| Jan low C  = 19.2
| Feb low C  = 19.3
| Mar low C  = 18.2
| Apr low C  = 15.3
| May low C  = 12.0
| Jun low C  = 9.6
| Jul low C  = 8.4
| Aug low C  = 9.2
| Sep low C  = 11.4
| Oct low C  = 14.0
| Nov low C  = 16.1
| Dec low C  = 18.0
<!-- -->
| Jan record high C = 41.4
| Feb record high C = 40.9
| Mar record high C = 39.0
| Apr record high C = 36.8
| May record high C = 28.5
| Jun record high C = 26.1
| Jul record high C = 26.3
| Aug record high C = 29.9
| Sep record high C = 34.4
| Oct record high C = 36.7
| Nov record high C = 41.0
| Dec record high C = 42.0
<!-- -->
| Jan record low C  = 12.0
| Feb record low C  = 10.3
| Mar record low C  = 11.1
| Apr record low C  = 7.4
| May record low C  = 4.7
| Jun record low C  = 3.0
| Jul record low C  = 1.8
| Aug record low C  = 3.3
| Sep record low C  = 5.0
| Oct record low C  = 6.5
| Nov record low C  = 7.2
| Dec record low C  = 11.0
<!-- -->
| Jan rain mm  = 89.5
| Feb rain mm  = 108.0
| Mar rain mm  = 120.8
| Apr rain mm  = 116.6
| May rain mm  = 118.0
| Jun rain mm  = 117.5
| Jul rain mm  = 95.0
| Aug rain mm  = 75.1
| Sep rain mm  = 73.0
| Oct rain mm  = 73.2
| Nov rain mm  = 70.5
| Dec rain mm  = 81.8
}}

== Climate action ==
In 2020, Port Stephens Council adopted a climate change policy<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Port Stephens Council Climate Change Policy|url=https://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/trim/other?RecordNumber=20%2F289872}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Port Stephens Examiner News Article|url=https://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/story/6914792/council-adopts-climate-change-policy/}}</ref> and joined the Cities Power Partnership.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Port Stephens Council Cities Power Partnership|url=https://citiespowerpartnership.org.au/partners/port-stephens-council/}}</ref> The policy recognised that climate in Australia is continuing to change and ongoing action is needed to ensure a sustainable future.

Council’s climate action plan has three main focus areas: Education; Mitigation; and [[climate change adaptation|Adaptation]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Port Stephens Council Sustainability and Climate Change|url=https://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/environment/sustainability-and-climate-change}}</ref> Council committed to responding to the challenges of climate change in the following ways:

# Consulting widely with local residents and businesses to raise awareness of climate change risks and strategies for effective climate change management, mitigation, and adaptation. 
# Seeking feedback and ideas from the community on how to better manage, mitigate and build community resilience to climate change risks.
# Preparing and implementing a sustainability strategy and action plan to clearly communicate its sustainability actions, targets and performance indicators.
# Reducing contributions to climate change by implementing a range of sustainability projects.
# Reviewing and maintaining a Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan.
# Regularly publishing its progress and achievements in managing climate change risks in alignment with the Integrated Planning and Reporting framework.
# Investigating and sourcing funding opportunities to support Council’s [[climate change mitigation]] and adaptation projects.<ref name=":0" />

In 2021, Council passed a motion that committed to achieving [[carbon neutrality]] for its operations by 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Port Stephens Council Minutes 2021|url=https://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/live/environment-and-sustainability/sustainability-and-climate-change}}</ref> GHG emission reduction achievements to date include installing in several council buildings: solar voltaic systems; LED lighting and; programmable logic controllers to deliver energy efficiencies and reduce costs. In a first for the region, recycled glass 'greencrete' was used in the upgrade of the Tanilba Bay roundabout.<ref name=":2" />

Council has recently commenced a baseline study of its current GHG emissions, and is expected to commence work on a ‘roadmap’ for [[carbon neutrality]], a renewable energy target<ref>{{Cite web|title=Net Zero Commitments|url=https://100percentrenewables.com.au/net-zero-leaderboard-states-local-governments-communities-dec-2021/}}</ref> later in 2022. However, Council has not adopted a climate emergency declaration<ref>{{Cite web|title=Climate Emergency Declarations|url=https://www.cedamia.org/global/}}</ref> and does not have a detailed Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan which encompasses community-wide emissions, as committed in its overall 2020 climate change policy.

Founded in 2019, Climate Action Port Stephens (CAPS) is a not-for-profit community group of Port Stephens residents who are concerned about global climate change and ecological crises and want real climate action in the community.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Climate Action Port Stephens|url=https://climateactionportstephens.wordpress.com/}}</ref> CAPS petitioned Council in 2019 and in 2020 to declare a climate emergency. CAPS is one of over 30 community groups, businesses and individuals who have joined EcoNetwork Port Stephens<ref>{{Cite web|title=EcoNetwork Port Stephens|url=https://www.econetworkps.org/}}</ref> which was founded in 1993 as a not-for-profit, apolitical and 100% volunteer-run organisation acting as a significant voice for nature conservation and the environment.

==Sister cities==
Port Stephens has [[sister city]] relationships with the following cities:
* {{Flagicon|US}} [[Bellingham, Washington|Bellingham]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[United States]] (since 1982)<ref name="sistercity">{{Cite web|url=http://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/communityorgs/53809.html|title=Port Stephens Sister Cities|publisher=Port Stephens Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927101907/http://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/communityorgs/53809.html|archive-date=27 September 2007|access-date=13 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/Oceania/Australia|title=Online Directory: Australia, Oceania|publisher=Sister Cities International|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301005742/http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/Oceania/Australia|archive-date=1 March 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=13 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bsca.org/list-of-sister-cities/port-stephens-australia|title=Port Stephens, Australia|publisher=Bellingham Sister Cities Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604222524/http://www.bsca.org/list-of-sister-cities/port-stephens-australia|archive-date=4 June 2011|access-date=28 August 2011}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Kushiro, Hokkaido|Kushiro]], [[Hokkaidō]], [[Japan]] (since 1994)<ref name="sistercity" />
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Tateyama, Chiba|Tateyama]], [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]], Japan (Friendship Cities from 1999–2009, sister cities since 2009)<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/your-council/about-council/port-stephens-sister-cities|title=Port Stephens sister cities|website=www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au|language=en|access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="sistercity" />
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Yugawara]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]], Japan (Since 1999)<ref name="sistercity" /><ref name=":1" />
{{clear}}

==References==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Port Stephens Council}}
*[http://www.huntergardens.org.au Hunter Region Botanic Gardens]

{{Suburbs of Port Stephens}}
{{Local Government Areas of New South Wales}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Port Stephens Council| ]]