Eight banner poles will be installed in Vincent Street in the coming weeks and Cessnock Council is inviting community groups and organisations to hire the poles to promote community events that will raise the profile of the Cessnock LGA.
"There will be four banner poles installed in front of H J Sternbeck Park and four more installed in front of Tyre Plus," explained Senior Project Manager for Administration and Civic Precinct, Ms Nicole Benson. "The aim of the banners is to provide a colourful vibrancy to the main street as well as provide information for residents and visitors to Cessnock."
Cessnock Chamber of Commerce and Council have jointly funded the purchase and installation of the poles which are six metres high and will hang banners measuring 2.6 metres by 90 centimetres.
President of the Chamber of Commerce Mr Geoff Walker has welcomed the installation of the poles saying that the impact of the banners on the vitality of Cessnock's main street will be immense. "It is evident in other towns and cities that the movement and colour of banners really adds to the welcoming feeling of an area and to the sense of placemaking."
Each year, Council will call for applications from community groups and organisations to hire the banners for set times during the following 12 month period. "Council also plans to produce its own set of banners which will be used at times when the poles are not booked – that way, the main street will always have banners enlivening the streetscape," Ms Benson said.
Council is currently calling for applications for the period from September this year until August 2013. Applications must be submitted to Council by 5pm on 13 July 2012. Further details and requirements of hiring can be found on Council's website at www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/business/bannerpoles
