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: