Mayoral Column- 3 March

Published on 04 March 2021

Last week Pokolbin was announced as the top NSW destination, and second place nationally, in the Wotif 2021 Aussie Town of the Year Awards. The awards are based on a data which considers a destination’s accommodation quality, affordability and traveller satisfaction, It is not a surprise Pokolbin was named the top destination in our state. We are home to many fantastic business who provide a first class visitor experience. Well done to every business in Pokolbin. Council continues to support the local tourism industry and its positive growth. Residents would have noticed various new signage located across the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA). The signage, funded by the NSW Government, meets the growing demand for quality tourism infrastructure that is vital to our local economy. Council is also looking for additional funding opportunities to install more suburbs signs across the LGA. 

Council is participating in a swap-and-go coffee cup scheme, called Green Caffeen. Green Caffeen’s reusable cup scheme makes being eco-friendly a simple choice for coffee drinkers. Residents can download the Green Caffeen app and sign up, then get a reusable cup from a participating café. Enjoy a cup of coffee, then return the cup to any Green Caffeen café. And as long as you return the cup within 30 days, it is completely free to use. In fact, it is like a library for coffee cups. It was encouraging to hear MR O Kitchen Espresso Grocer have joined in. Council looks forward to seeing more local cafés get involved. We all have a part to play in reducing our waste and this is a simple way to contribute.

The first Council meeting of the year highlighted the fantastic works being carried in our community. Council considered progress against the 2017-21 Delivery Program actions and the Capital Works Program. It is good news for our community, we are delivering a huge

Capital Works Program and we continue attracting more funding from both the NSW and Australian Government.  Council will soon finish some significant projects such as Bridges Hill Park and Playground, Gingers Lane Upgrade and Hart Round Roundabout Construction, Paynes Crossings Bridge and Millfield Skatepark. Works will then start on an upgrade to Col Brown Rotary Park, Kurri Kurri and the Kurri Kurri Town Centre Upgrade.

To keep up to date with works visit Council’s website and view the Council works section. The Cessnock City eNewsletter is also issued monthly and residents can subscribe to receive an email of all the latest happening of Council straight to their inbox