New look North Stockton boating hub opens

Boating enthusiasts and picnickers now have vastly improved facilities to enjoy on the Hunter River after the newly upgraded North Stockton boat ramp carpark was opened today.

^{Paved carpark entry and new amenities block}

Council has paved the 1980s-era dust bowl adjacent to the boat ramp and dramatically improved infrastructure in an $850,000 improvement project jointly funded by Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

The asphalt boating hub now boasts around 60 spaces for cars and boat trailers south of the miniature harbour and floating pontoon.

A sheltered fish cleaning facility and new wash-down bays for cars were also part of the project

Council's Interim CEO, Jeremy Bath, joined Parliament Secretary for the Hunter Scott MacDonald to open the new facility, which includes picnic facilities and a new amenities block offering disabled access and improved safety.

^{Today's opening event}

"The Hunter boating community now has a top-notch facility to launch and berth boats," Mr Bath said.

"This is a popular facility for both local and regional boating enthusiasts due to the easy access it offers to the lower Hunter River and offshore, so the upgrade has provided those who want to access the water and picnickers some welcome conveniences.

"The boat ramp and carpark are part of a range of facilities upgrades we're delivering right across the Newcastle LGA, from the Bathers Way along the coast to playgrounds and local neighbourhood centre improvements."

The North Stockton boat ramp upgrade project was jointly funded by Newcastle City Council and the NSW Government through TfNSW.

^{The old dust bowl}