Nominations open for Community Reference Groups

Published on 27 August 2020

Council is calling on residents to nominate for the Environmental Lands Study Community Reference Groups. The groups are being established to assist with the Environmental Lands Study Council is commencing.

The study will seek to identify lands of high environmental value and develop an environmental zoning framework for the future.

Council’s General Manager, Lotta Jackson said it’s an important study as the Cessnock Local Government Area is home to a unique and diverse range of flora and fauna, including threatened species.

“Our local bushland is rich in biodiversity. As we plan for the future we need to ensure we know where our environmentally significant lands are and take steps to protect them.”

Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent said Council is committed to establishing environmental zones that enable flexibility of land uses balanced with meeting environmental objectives.

The establishment of the community reference groups is just one of many ways Council is involving the community. There will be a number of opportunities throughout the study for residents to provide feedback:

• Phase one will involve seeking community feedback on identifying areas of environmental significance and importance to the community. This will help establish the proposed environmental zone values, objectives, criteria, principles, lot sizes and land uses.

• During phase two the community will be asked to provide feedback on any proposed environmental zones and recommendations. 

Interested and want to know more? Please read the FAQs. 

Nominations for the community reference groups must be submitted by Sunday 13 September. For more information visit Council’s ‘Have your say’ page.