Mayoral Column - 8 October 2025
Published on 08 October 2025
It was a thrill to announce recently that Council will manage and deliver the iconic Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival from 2026 onwards, after long-time organiser Towns With Heart handed over the reins.
The festival showcases beautiful Kurri Kurri and has grown into an unmissable annual event for locals and visitors alike, and I’m pleased Council has been able to step in and ensure its proud legacy as an outstanding cultural celebration will continue into the future.
I’d like to sincerely thank Towns With Heart, its volunteers, and partners for their tireless work over more than two decades to build the festival into what it is today. The group has made a significant contribution to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of Kurri Kurri and our wider local government area. Council will continue to uphold the festival’s reputation as one of the region’s premier events, retaining its identity within our community and further afield.
Planning for next year’s festival - in Kurri Kurri town centre on the final weekend of March - now begins. Council will engage with Kurri Kurri businesses and residents throughout that process, so we can maximise the benefits for them. Keep an eye out for updates in the coming months.
In other news, the summer swim season has begun! Branxton and Cessnock pools are now open and I encourage everyone to safely enjoy these great facilities as the mercury climbs. Council is a proud partner of Royal Surf Life Saving Australia’s Keep Watch at Public Pools Program, which focuses on keeping children safe around the water while we enjoy the time-tested summer tradition of visiting the public pool. Details of opening hours, conditions of entry and how to purchase season passes are available on Council’s website.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to take a look at our Draft Waste Management Policy, which is on public exhibition until 24 October. A few highlights of the draft policy include the introduction of an optional, discounted fortnightly general waste collection service for households that produce less red bin rubbish, and making waste vouchers available to rental tenants. Head to the Together Cessnock website and let us know what you think about the draft policy before it goes back to Council for consideration.
Finally, I’m pleased local residents will have another opportunity to dispose of unwanted mattresses for free at Mount View Basin between 8am and 12pm on 18 October. Just remember to bring proof you live in the Cessnock LGA and you can dump up to four mattresses/ensemble bases per household. Council received more than 2,400 across three events last year – that’s a lot of metal, timber, and foam we were able to recycle. So, make sure you get behind this great way to ensure our community stays clean and sustainable!