Jet-skis and other powered vessels will once again be banned from popular Port Stephens beaches during this year's Christmas-new year break after a successful trial.
From December 24, 2025, to January 26, 2026, Dutchman's Beach, Nelson Bay beach (Fly Point) and Shoal Bay were designated zones where powered vessels were restricted from operating.
All powered vessels were required to stay at least 30 metres from the shoreline, with signs installed at trial sites and launch points.
An evaluation report containing results and community responses will be released on Monday.
Surveys done during the trial showed strong support from residents, visitors and powered vessel users, with more than 85 per cent of residents and visitors backing the zones.
Before the trial, 66 per cent of powered vessel users were supportive of the safety measures, a figure that increased to 85 per cent during the trial.
"Initial support was lower among powered vessel users, but this increased substantially during the trial -mainly driven by the much higher support among motorised boat users than among personal watercraft users," the evaluation report said.
"These findings - along with similar findings related to the trial's perceived fairness - suggest that personal watercraft users and associated businesses should be prioritised during the consultation preceding any future powered-vessel free zones."
There were no cases of powered vessels observed speeding near the shoreline at the designated sites during the trial.
Stand-up paddleboards and other non-powered watercraft activity increased substantially in powered-vessel free zones during the summer peak.
"With more than 85 per cent of residents and visitors supporting the zones, it's a no-brainer that we'd bring them back. It's particularly pleasing to see the support from powered vessel users grew once they saw how the zones worked in practice," Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said.
"Our beautiful waterways were much calmer last summer, so I know locals and visitors will love being able to choose safer swimming areas again this season at Dutchman's Beach, Fly Point and Shoal Bay."
Transport for NSW Maritime executive director Nicole Watts said the trial had provided an opportunity for all water users to enjoy the water.
"With zones in place at the same locations this summer, there are still extensive areas across Port Stephens where powered vessels can operate safely and responsibly," she said.
"NSW Maritime will be sharing further information about this summer's powered vessel free zones with the community and local businesses soon."
The Minister for Police, Counter-terrorism and the Hunter, Yasmin Catley, said the trial had received strong support from locals, visitors and increasingly users of powered vessels.
"Bringing them back this summer strikes the right balance, giving swimmers and paddlers more space while still leaving plenty of room for boaties and jet-ski riders to enjoy Port Stephens," she said.
"In response to serious community safety concerns in the lead up to summer last year, we committed to trial powered vessel exclusion zones across Port Stephens.
"We now know that the trial was a roaring success, with 85 per cent of boaties supporting the exclusion zones."
