Mayoral Column - 9 December 2020

Published on 09 December 2020

Council’s annual Christmas Gift and Food Appeal has begun with donations now being accepted. All donations will be given to Barkuma Neighbourhood Centre who will deliver them to those facing difficulties this Christmas. Residents wanting to be involved can

Donate new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items. Donations will be accepted up until Wednesday 16 December. Drop-off locations include Council’s Administration Building and both the Cessnock and Kurri Kurri libraries.

Council recently welcomed the announcement by the NSW Government that we have secured more than $1.3 million to fund four exciting community projects under the Resources for Regions Program Round Seven. This funding will support Stage 2 of the Cessnock Pool Splash Pad, the beautification of Rotary Park, Kurri Kurri, a Disadvantaged Youth Driver Program to run over two years and additional funding the establishment of a Cultural Hub.

On Friday 27 November it was a pleasure to attend the Laguna Village Green for a special evening hosted by Cessnock City Council. Nearly 400 local community attended ‘Community Recovery on the Green’ which was a free event and organised to support bushfire impacted communities to reconnect, relax and thank local Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers following last year’s bush fire season.  It truly was a great opportunity to relax and reconnect.

As the weather heats up it’s a reminder to us all we must be vigilant as we are now in bush fire season. There are always actions we can take to be prepared. Residents are encouraged to find out what they can do now by visiting Get Ready.

It is always wonderful to be able to deliver important community projects that make a difference to community groups and organisations. Construction of a new brick storage facility for the Lions Club of Branxton on the site of Branxton Community Hall will commence shortly.

The new purpose built facility will provide the Branxton Lions Club with a more modern storage space featuring amenities to help undertake activities associated with their community volunteer work. The works follow the Lions Club of Branxton’s successful application to the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund for $88,900 and a partnership with Council to oversee construction.

On Monday it was very special to officially recognise the renaming of Col Brown Rotary Park, Kurri Kurri.  As a member of Kurri Kurri Rotary Club for over 42 years Col’s contribution in building a stronger community is significant. In the renaming of the park the legacy of Col will live on.