Spotlight on: Port Stephens
Early history
Port Stephens is nestled on the mid-north coast of New South Wales just north of Newcastle. It is made up of coastal towns and villages such as Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay and Soldiers Point as well as regional inland town Raymond Terrace.
The area has long been known for its natural beauty, thriving marine environment, and strong connection to tourism, fishing and defence industries.
The Worimi people are the traditional owners of the Port Stephens area. The Worimi nation envelops the Port Stephens local government area. It extends from the Hunter River in the south to Forster in the north and as far west as the Barrington Tops and Maitland.
How Port Stephens fits into the Hunter Region’s energy transition
Port Stephens is playing an important part in the Hunter region’s broader transition toward a net zero future. The area is not home to coal-fired power stations or coal mines. However, it is closely connected to evolving industries and clean energy hubs in nearby Newcastle and the surrounding area.
Tomago Battery Energy Storage System
Energy utility AGL has commenced construction of a 500 MW / 2,000 MWh battery energy storage system in Australia, which is expected to be completed in 2027.
The four-hour battery is being constructed near Raymond Terrace and will support more renewable energy generation in the region and enhance grid stability.
The project is expected to support up to 200 jobs during the construction phase and up to 6 ongoing jobs when operational.
Find out more about this project
Tourism at the heart of Port Stephens
Port Stephens is one of NSW’s most iconic coastal destinations. It has a strong tourism sector, built around its beaches, national parks and outdoor recreation.
Some interesting facts about Port Stephens:
- It is regarded as the dolphin capital of Australia as it is one of the few places where you can see wild dolphins almost year-round.
- The Stockton Sand Dunes are some of the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, towering up to 30 metres above sea level.
- The coastline of Port Stephens is known as the ‘shipwreck coast’ and is a haven for divers and photographers.