An ambitious plan to revamp Merewether Beach with new promenades, parks and pavilions received the green light from civic leaders last night.

Newcastle City councillors signalled their desire to get on with the job of improving public areas around the waterfront in adopting the Merewether Beach public domain plan.

The document outlines a strategy for beautifying the coastal strip with new cafes, a rebuilt surf club, amphitheatre, public art, widened footpaths and extra car parking spaces.

Initial estimates suggest the makeover could cost up to $6.66million.

But the council would need to do more detailed designs before starting work.

Councillors asked last night that money be made available in the organisation’s next quarterly budget review to design stages one and two, which involved widening the promenade and changing traffic flow on John Parade and changing the Watkins Street car park.

Lord mayor John Tate said the document provided a way forward but was a plan only.

‘‘And it will be nothing if it doesn’t get funding,’’ he said.

‘‘A lot of this work can’t happen without state and or federal funding.

‘‘The opportunity this opens up does show how the coast can be improved.