Cessnock City Council is undertaking a comprehensive program of community consultation activities in March 2010 in the development of Cessnock’s Community Plan, also called Cessnock 2020. This Plan will be the community’s plan for the future of the Cessnock local government area and it will provide the future directions for our community over the next 10 years.
Cessnock 2020 will be developed from the information gathered during the consultation activities across the Cessnock area, so it is important that every member of the community gets involved and has their say about the future.
Cessnock 2020 is being developed in line with five broad themes which have been identified through previous consultation activities as being priorities for the local community.
Developing safe and accessible neighbourhoods that support healthy and fulfilling lifestyles
Achieving long term economic security through a mix of diverse business and employment options
Promoting a sustainable balance between development / commercial interests and our natural environment
Improving access to the services we need, including transport via road, rail and air, along with investment in efficient, green infrastructure
Ensuring that we have strong leadership and good governance and that we foster community participation in decision-making
Five position papers have been developed which outline in more detail how these themes were developed and what each theme entails.
There are a number of ways the community can get involved in development of the Cessnock 2020 Community Plan, including by attending one of the community workshops.
These workshops will be interactive sessions facilitated by independent consultants. You will be asked to consider some of the challenges facing Cessnock and brainstorm some of the strategies that may overcome these challenges.
Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, Vincent Street, Cessnock
Weston Civic Centre, Station Street, Weston
Pokolbin Community Hall, McDonald’s Road, Pokolbin
McAuley Centre, Station Street, Branxton
Wollombi Community Hall, Maitland Road, Wollombi
Kurri Kurri Community Centre, Lang Street, Kurri Kurri
Mulbring Community Hall, Stone Street, Mulbring
Millfield Community Hall, Crawford Avenue, Millfield
Community and stakeholder workshops across the Cessnock local government area are providing an opportunity for members of the community to contribute directly to the development of the Cessnock 2020 Community Plan.
Participants at each of the workshops are provided with a summary of the discussions and the work undertaken at their workshop.
These summaries are also posted here so that everyone in the community has an opportunity to see the topics being discussed and the ideas that are being shared at workshops right across the area.
The workshop summaries are being compiled by the independent consultants who are facilitating the workshops and will be available within a week of each workshop taking place.
The Community Survey is available either online or as a hard copy at the Customer Service counter at Council’s administration building at 62-78 Vincent Street, Cessnock and in Council's libraries at Cessnock and Kurri Kurri.
To participate in the online forum go to www.focusonourfuture.com.au. Here you will be able to post comments on your views about what is important in the future planning for Cessnock.
Every member of the Cessnock community has a crucial role to play in the community planning process - so please get involved, have your say and help shape the future of the Cessnock local government area.
Sometimes the imagination of young people can produce the most outstanding results.
This was evident when Cessnock City Council invited local primary school students to participate in its Drawing 2020 competition. The students were asked to draw what they would like the Cessnock LGA to look like in the year 2020. More than 50 drawings were submitted and all had a story to tell.
"Lolly and toy shops featured heavily but so too did solar panels, skate and recreation parks, water features including waterfalls and beaches, as well as trees and lots of blue sky," Mayor Councillor Alison Davey explained. "The drawings were imaginative but well considered at the same time. The judging panel found it very difficult to come to their final decisions."
Two students from Weston Public School and one from St Patrick's Cessnock were awarded $100 each and presented with a certificate by Mayor Davey this morning.
Stage 1 – Caitlin Stewart, Weston Public
Stage 2 – Thea Belle Pryor, Weston Public
Stage 3 – Joven Hodge, St Patrick's
"I was pleased that so many students entered the competition. Council is in the midst of a comprehensive program of community consultation regarding the development of our long term plan for the LGA and it was important for us to have the input of our younger residents – they are our future," the Mayor said.
"We should let the future of Cessnock look after itself"
Tuesday 23 February, 7pm
Cessnock Community Performing Arts Centre
Debated by
Brian Andrews OAM, Historian and curator
Jakeob Brown, University student
Deb Dacey, Barkuma Neighbourhood Centre
Michael Hope, Hope Estate
Emma Kirk, Miss Cessnock
Brian McGuigan AM, Vigneron
Moderated by
Dr Bernie Curran
