COVID-19 (coronavirus)
The safety of community and staff is a priority for Cessnock City Council in relation to COVID-19 (coronavirus). As a result, our services, events and regular programs have been impacted.
Services not listed on this page are operating as normal. We update this page regularly as we follow advice from Federal and State Health Departments.
Please do not visit a Council facility if you feel unwell, have returned from overseas in the past 14 days or have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Practice social distancing if you are visiting a Council facility. Customers are also encouraged to wear a face mask when attending a Council facility.
If you're concerned, call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Find out more:
- Changes to Council services
- Changes to Council facilities
- Changes to Council events & programs
- Other closures
- Financial assistance
- Help Stop The Spread
Council is adopting a phased approach to resuming services to ensure the safety of both staff and the community. Please read the following information on the status of each service:
Reopened (or opening soon)
- Libraries
Face to face services at the Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries have resumed in COVID-safe mode. Both libraries are open between 9am and 5pm Mon - Fri. You can also take advantage of our 'Call and Collect' service - find out more here. The 24/7 e-branch remains open and the Cessnock City Library Facebook includes a demonstration for how to access e-magazines, e-books, e-films and e-music. If you have any questions about the reopening or need help in accessing the 24/7 e-branch, Library staff can be contacted on (02) 4993 4399 or at library@cessnock.nsw.gov.au.
- Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre (HVVIC)
Face to face services at the HVVIC have resumed with regular trading hours. For more information, please visit the HVVIC website.
- Council administration building
Face to face services at 62-78 Vincent Street have resumed. The Administration Building is open during normal business hours, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The cashier will close at 4.30pm on these days. Customers are also encouraged to connect with us remotely using our live chat service or by telephone during business hours.
- CYCOS
The Cessnock Youth Centre programs have recommenced including school holiday activities. Visit CYCOS' Facebook page for the latest information on upcoming programs. The Youth Services Team can be contacted on (02) 4993 4357.
- Arts & cultural centres
All arts and cultural centres, including Wollombi Cultural Centre, Richmond Main and Marthaville Arts and Cultural Centre have reopened to the public.
- Cessnock Waste Management Centre
The Cessnock Waste Management Centre (CWMC) is open to the public as normal. There may be some delays as numbers onsite will be limited to observe social distancing. Residents are encouraged to follow instructions while at the CWMC, including wearing enclosed footwear. Transactions will remain cashless until further notice (waste vouchers will be accepted).Please note that the Greta Transfer Station is closed.
The following services remain impacted
- On-site sewerage management system inspections
- Council has postponed standard and routine monitoring inspections of on-site sewerage management systems. Routine inspections will be rescheduled at a later time that is suitable for the property owners or operators.
Council is adopting a phased approach to reopening facilities to ensure the safety of both staff and the community. Please read the following information on the status of each facility:
Reopened (or opening soon)
Sporting facilities
All sporting facilities in the Cessnock LGA have reopened.
Note: Many clubs are in talks with their governing sporting association in relation to returning to training and the changes that may need to be undertaken to keep the community safe. Following a number of conditions being met Council will issue approval for the sporting activity to return in line with NSW Government restrictions. Sport Australia has developed a Return to Sport Toolkit that includes a suite of resources to help sporting organisations get ready to recommence training, competitions and programs in a safe, responsible and low risk manner.
- Turner Park, Aberdare
- Howe Park, Abermain
- Orange Street Oval, Abermain
- Branxton Oval (croquet lawns included)
- Cessnock Civic Indoor Sports Centre
- Baddeley Park, Cessnock
- Drain Oval, Cessnock
- East Cessnock Oval
- Mount View Basin, Cessnock
- Greta Central Oval
- George Jeffery Park, Kearsley
- Booth Park, Kurri Kurri
- Margaret Johns Park, Kurri Kurri
- Central Oval, Kurri Kurri
- Molly Worthington Netball Courts, Kurri Kurri
- Crawfordville/Millfield Park
- Centenary Park, Pelaw Main
- Stanford Merthyr Park
- Chinaman’s Hollow, Weston
- Varty Park, Weston
- Wollombi Recreation Ground
Tennis facilities
All tennis facilities have now been reopened, including:
- Branxton (Miller Park)
- Cessnock (Turner Park)
- Greta (Greta Central Oval)
- Kearsley (George Jeffery Park)
- Kurri Kurri (Central Oval)
- Mulbring (Mulbring Park)
- Wollombi
Recreational Vehicle (RV) areas
Council operated RV areas at Branxton and Kurri Kurri are open.
Community halls
All community halls are open in line with NSW Government restrictions, including the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020.
Aquatic facilities
The following pools are scheduled to reopen to the public on 3 October 2020:
- Cessnock pool
- Branxton pool
Check back soon for the Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre reopening date.
- Youth Week 2020
The Youth Week 2020 program has been postponed. For more information please check Council and CYCOS Facebook pages.
- Free tree giveaway
Council has postponed the free tree giveaway until later in the year. We'll be getting in touch with all those who have applied.
- Spring Awakening 2020
Spring Awakening 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19 and the current NSW Government restrictions regulating gatherings.
- RSPCA Rutherford
RSPCA Rutherford is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays until further notice. Residents will not be able to release animals on these days. Impound fees for Tuesdays and Thursdays will be waived as residents won’t be able to pick up their furry friend. For more information call RSPCA on (02) 4939 1555.
Residents experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic can contact Council and enter into an arrangement on (02) 4993 4100. Our Customer Service team will take your details and our Rates team will call you back. Our team will endeavor to return calls by the next business day.
For more information, please read our Hardship Policy(PDF, 289KB) or visit our Paying your rates page.
You can also find useful information on the following websites:
Helping to stop the spread of coronavirus is something that we can all do.
Source: Australian Government Dept. of Health