Economic Development Planning

Cessnock City Council's adopted Cessnock 2020 Community Strategic Plan identified the community desired an outcome of “A sustainable and prosperous economy”. This encompasses “the need to attract a diverse range of businesses, industries and services together with improved access to education, training, and employment opportunities to ensure we have a sustainable and prosperous economy”. It has been recognised that in order to achieve this outcome, Cessnock City Council has a role both as a leader and partner to advocate for economic development across our local government area.

Our Community’s Vision also reflects the significance of economic development: “Cessnock will be a cohesive and welcoming community living in an attractive and sustainable rural environment with a diversity of business and employment opportunities supported by accessible infrastructure and services which effectively meet community need”.

The Cessnock City Council 2005 Survey of Residents confirmed that residents support Council’s economic development role. Encouraging industry and business was nominated as one of the five most important services provided by Council. Additionally, the survey indicated that residents believe that the second most important way in which Council could make Cessnock a better place to live is by increasing employment, attracting industries and supporting local businesses.

Economic Development Objectives:

• Support creation of local long term and stable employment opportunities
• Enable and encourage diverse and long term appropriate investment in our economy (built, environment, human)
• Attract business, government and industry to establish or expand locally to mitigate reliance on dominant industries
• Promote ongoing investment in a skilled workforce
• Strengthen the local economy and improve resilience through recognising the need to enhance Cessnock local government area’s amenity, image and quality of life
• Develop mutually beneficial cooperative partnerships across the community
• Respond and adapt appropriately to changes within our economy and recognise future opportunities

For further information on investment opportunities please contact Council's Economic Development Manager on 4993 4300.