Port fund tips in $450,000 for active hub

Newcastle City Council has welcomed support for a project that will breathe new life into the Stockton Foreshore.

The region-first urban skate plaza and playground will be part funded by a $450,000 Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund pledge announced by Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald and Hunter Development Corporation head Mick Cassel today.

ICEO Jeremy Bath and Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald.

"This is a very worthy project and it’s great to partner with the state government to help revitalise both sides of Newcastle Harbour," Newcastle City Council Interim CEO Jeremy Bath said.

"The active hub at Stockton will offer kids of all ages some great exercise options and provide a comfortable setting by the water for parents and guardians.

"It will also be a social and economic boost for Stockton and likely help promote both sides of Newcastle Harbour."

Artist's impression of the Active Hub

The street-style skate plaza and children's play area, including flying foxes and water features, will serve as a significant, new attraction for locals of Stockton and Fern Bay and is expected to draw more visitors.

The $1.25 million project will also be part funded by section 94 developer levies collected by Newcastle and Port Stephens city councils.

The idea for a new playground and skate park was initially supported by the community and council in 2012, with the adoption of the South Stockton Reserves Public Domain Plan.

In 2016, primary school students at St Peter's Primary School, Stockton, requested a playground in letters to council and proudly showed off models they had built.

Community feedback on the active hub has been positive with 81 per cent of survey respondents supporting the proposal.

Feedback from the exhibition is currently being incorporated into a final design ahead of detailed design and construction, which is expected to begin in mid-2018.