Mayoral Column - 12 May 2021
Published on 12 May 2021
Firstly I’d like to say a big congratulations to our new Australian Citizens. Twelve of our fellow community members became Australian citizens at a ceremony held at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre in late April. It was a fantastic event attended by the new citizens and their families as well as Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Meryl Swanson MP, Councillors, Council’s General Manager, Lotta Jackson and myself. And who could forget our incredible Town Crier, Stephen Clarke OAM, who made the ceremony true blue with his introduction and rendition of ‘The Aussie BBQ Song’. It was great to chat to our new citizens after the ceremony and thank them for choosing to call the Hunter Region home.
Congratulations to the various RSL sub-branches in the area for their organisation of ANZAC Day events. My fellow Councillors and I were honoured to attend ceremonies across the LGA in Abermain, Kearsley, Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, Neath, Millfield, Paxton and Wollombi. We were impressed with how well the sub-branches executed their COVID Safe plans and how seamless and solemn the ceremonies were. The F35 flyover was a particular highlight, with the jet flying over just before the start of the Cessnock service.
Don’t forget the draft 2021-22 Operational Plan is on public exhibition and open to community feedback until 20 May. The draft Plan outlines Council's activities and key initiatives to implement the community’s long-term strategic plan and includes the draft budget, revenue policy, and fees and charges. In addition to the $35 million capital works program, including $12 million for local and regional roads, highlights are the Cessnock Airport upgrade, installation of the Cessnock Pool Splash Pad, upgrades to Old Maitland Road and a section of Wollombi Road, and a bridge construction program valued at $2.5 million.
In addition to wanting your thoughts on the draft Operational Plan, we’re also seeking your feedback on several other important documents currently on exhibition. These include the draft Waste Management Policy, draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan, draft Greater Cessnock Jobs Strategy 2036, and the draft Maybury Peace Park/Chinaman’s Hollow Masterplan. Be sure to visit the ‘Have your say’ section of Council’s website to read the documents and give us your thoughts.
We’re an area spoiled with amazing cuisine and I was lucky enough to try the dishes of the next generation of Hunter Valley chefs last week. I jumped at the opportunity to be on the judging panel of the Youth Week event ‘My School Rules’ where Food Technology students from local high schools were put through a series of cooking challenges. I couldn’t have been more impressed with the standard of the dishes. Congratulations to Cessnock High who were the overall winners. Outstanding and delicious!