A flexible approach to parking and building services open for business

Published on 01 April 2020

Cessnock City Council is continuing to review its services in response to COVID-19. As a result, the Planning and Environment team are changing the way they provide their services.

In relation to parking, Council is taking a flexible approach. Rangers will only issue parking fines where there is an imminent risk to safety or where drivers are deliberately breaking the law.

Council’s Director of Planning and Environment, Gareth Curtis said while this approach is in place, it’s also about drivers being considerate of others in the community, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

“We’re asking that drivers don’t park all day in busy areas and to avoid parking in front of pharmacies or medical centres unless you are someone seeking medical advice or urgent medications. As a community, now more than ever, we must support those who need it most,” said Gareth.

The Planning and Environment team are also reassuring the community, despite the Administration Building being closed, development application and building certification services are still open for business.

Council is committed to ensuring development applications and building certification services continue to be lodged and processed with minimal disruption.

Mums, Dads and development professionals are encouraged to contact the Duty Planner over the phone or via email between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday. Applications will continue to be lodged and assessed via the NSW Planning Portal which is intended to make it easier than the old way of dealing with hard copy plans and documents.

Similarly, Council’s Building Certification Services including Construction Certificate applications, Complying Development applications and Occupation Certificates continue to be lodged and processed. Council’s Accredited Certifiers are also carrying out critical building inspection services as normal.

Council’s Duty Building Surveyor can be contacted from 9am to 10am and 1pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday to discuss matters over the phone and via email. 

“The key message we’d like to get out to the community is that these services are open for business and we will do our best to ensure the process is seamless and disruption is minimal, despite the circumstances,” said Gareth.

If anyone in the community has any questions about these services, please call our Customer Service Team on (02) 4993 4100 or email council@cessnock.nsw.gov.au.