Council adopts plans for jobs and economic development

Published on 27 July 2021

Cessnock City is pleased to announce it has adopted the Greater Cessnock Jobs Strategy 2036 and Economic Growth Agenda. On public exhibition throughout May, the Strategy and Agenda were supported unanimously at the July meeting of Council.

The Strategy outlines economic development priorities and opportunities that will maximise the prosperity of the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA). It articulates the plan to accomplish jobs growth, wage growth, education attainment and increased visitor expenditure through productivity, investment, innovation and people.

It is supported by the Economic Growth Agenda, which advocates for external support to achieve Strategy initiatives, and invites the Australian and NSW governments to work with Cessnock City on key projects. 

Council also endorsed the creation of an additional Economic Growth Agenda which focuses solely on infrastructure priorities such as the local road network, Cessnock CBD bypass, Wollombi Road upgrade and more.

Council’s General Manager, Lotta Jackson said the importance of jobs and economic development in the growing Cessnock LGA could not be understated.

“It is predicted that by 2036 Cessnock’s population will have grown to almost 80,000 people, with an additional 5,000 new homes built in the area. The Greater Cessnock Jobs Strategy 2036 and Economic Growth Agenda represent the groundwork for supporting this growth into the future”, she said.

The General Manager will report back to Council every 6 months on the progress and delivery of identified Strategy and Agenda opportunities. 

Read the Greater Cessnock Jobs Strategy 2036 and Economic Growth Agenda here.