The Land Use Planning Section within Council's City Planning Department comprises a Manager, two Strategic Town Planners, a Planners' Assistant and a part time Development Contributions Coordinator.

The Section also is responsible for Heritage Planning and the Local Heritage Assistance Fund in conjunction with the NSW Heritage Office. Council employs a consultant Heritage Advisor on one day per month to assist with its extensive Heritage program.

Land use and development within the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA) is managed through a range of State and local strategies, plans and policies. Cessnock's planning framework consists of the following key elements:

• State Government Strategies and Plans 
• State and Regional Environmental Planning Policies
• Regional Planning Strategy
• Local Planning Strategies
• Cessnock Local Environmental Plan (LEP)1989
• Cessnock Local Environmental Plan 2011 
• Cessnock Development Control Plan (DCP) 2010
• Cessnock Development Control Plan (DCP) 2006 
• Draft LEP2010 on exhibition until 4 August 2010
• Draft LEP 2010 Version Submitted to Department of Planning October 2010

The Draft LEP and your DA