Guests included Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey and Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker.  

The $3.6 Million revitalisation works began in April 2015 and involved the replacement of paving, street lighting, underground utility services, and stormwater drainage.

The town centre also features landscaping, street furnishings and outdoor dining.

Kempsey mayor Liz Campbell thanked staff from O’Donnell & Hanlon, council, the community and shoppers as well as Smith St retailers for their patience during the construction phase. 

Cr Campbell unveiled a plaque at the opening to acknowledge the redevelopment.

She said council is looking at installing some public art as well as a structure for the plaque near the pergola trees in the near future. 

Cr Campbell said the new-look street is something the community should be proud of. 

"When the Kempsey bypass was announced our community took the change from being a highway town and turned it into a positive. I have had so many people tell me that the new-look Smith Street has already created a new energy and appeal in our valley’s CBD," Cr Campbell said.

"This is a very different street to the one I spent much of my time growing up on... things change. The Macleay now has a retail precinct relative to this time and one we can be proud of…. One that will continue to emerge as the central commercial, retail and entertainment  hub of our valley." 

Owner of Tracie's Gifts & Homewares Tracie Kemp has been in business on the street for the last 26 years.

She says while the construction phase of the redevelopment proved challenging for many retailers she is now optimistic about the future of the street. 

"It was challenging but I think its been a good move. You've only got to look out here, its so beautiful," she said. 

"You've got plenty of seating for people to sit on. It's just changed and you need change to progress. So overall, I think its great." 

SMITH St businesses have formed a retail group in a bid to attract more shoppers to the street. 

"It's all about Smith st and getting more people in and getting on the bandwagon of council's advertising,"  Tracie Kemp, owner of Tracie's Gifts and Homewares, said.

"We started it (group) at Easter with four businesses and we just thought we would see how it goes. We've had other businesses come on board so there's a whole range of us now.

"Most of them are very positive and wanting to have a go. We are all wanting to change the shopping experience in Kempsey. 

"We have set up a Facebook page called 'Smith St, Kempsey' to let people know what's happening in terms of promotions or sales. 

"Saturday's we're looking at extending our trading hours so we'll be open for longer.

"We're just hoping that the local community will get behind us and back us because that's what our businesses need now.

"We're going ahead with the change so we want people to change with us so we can grow our retail sector."