Economic Development Strategy Survey 2026

We would love to get your feedback to help inform the drafting of our new Economic Development Strategy.

Your feedback offers important insights into the needs and challenges faced and how we can best support our local businesses to thrive.

Have your say by 23 August 2026.

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1. What best describes you:

Business owner / operator

Investor

Developer

Resident

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2. What are the main macro factors affecting your business or experience (choose 3)?

Rising cost of business operations e.g. insurance premiums, wages

Changing market conditions e.g. interest rates, supply chain instability

National and international political climate

Natural disasters and other emergencies

Changing demographic patterns e.g. ageing population, migration patterns

Clean energy transition

Digital transformation

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3. To improve investment and advocacy for Port Stephens' businesses, please rank these in importance.

Attraction and retention of workers

Increased supply of houses including more affordable homes for workers

More jobs and better employment opportunities

Planning and zoning to suit future business opportunities while protecting the environment

Increased investment in Port Stephens e.g. government investment in infrastructure and industry

Better access to government grants and funding

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4. To create vibrancy in our local town centres and support the visitor economy, please rank these in terms of importance.

Increased spending in our local centres

Better customer and tourism visitation experiences

Activating the night-time economy

Boosting activity during low season

Businesses working together to make precincts feel more welcoming

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5. To build better resilience and sustainable local businesses, please rank these in terms of importance.

Knowledge and skill development

Collaboration, networking and partnerships between businesses

Adoption of new technologies

Emergency preparedness for natural disasters

Reducing environmental footprint

Future workforce planning

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6. What is your vision for businesses in Port Stephens / where would you like Port Stephens to be in 10 years?

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7. How would you like Council to better support business in Port Stephens? E.g. advocacy, training, networking opportunities, reducing red tape.

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8. Are you a member of any of the following associations/networks: (tick all that apply)

Destination Port Stephens (DPS)

Business Port Stephens (BPS)

Port Stephens Women in Business (PSWIB)

Subscriber to Port Stephens Council's Your Business e-newsletter

Other – please name

None of the above

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* 1. What best describes you:

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* 2. What are the main macro factors affecting your business or experience (choose 3)?

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* 3. To improve investment and advocacy for Port Stephens' businesses, please rank these in importance.

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* 4. To create vibrancy in our local town centres and support the visitor economy, please rank these in terms of importance.

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* 5. To build better resilience and sustainable local businesses, please rank these in terms of importance.

Question Title

* 6. What is your vision for businesses in Port Stephens / where would you like Port Stephens to be in 10 years?

Question Title

* 7. How would you like Council to better support business in Port Stephens? E.g. advocacy, training, networking opportunities, reducing red tape.

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* 8. Are you a member of any of the following associations/networks: (tick all that apply)

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* 9. If you would like to stay up to date with this project please add your email address:

1. What best describes you:

2. What are the main macro factors affecting your business or experience (choose 3)?

3. To improve investment and advocacy for Port Stephens' businesses, please rank these in importance.

4. To create vibrancy in our local town centres and support the visitor economy, please rank these in terms of importance.

5. To build better resilience and sustainable local businesses, please rank these in terms of importance.

6. What is your vision for businesses in Port Stephens / where would you like Port Stephens to be in 10 years?

7. How would you like Council to better support business in Port Stephens? E.g. advocacy, training, networking opportunities, reducing red tape.

8. Are you a member of any of the following associations/networks: (tick all that apply)

9. If you would like to stay up to date with this project please add your email address: