Wollombi Road Upgrades

Current Community Information:

Wollombi Road - Letterbox Drop - Night Works - 9 April 2026(PDF, 198KB)

Wollombi Road - Notification of nightworks - 2 April 2026(PDF, 257KB)

WRUP Ongoing Enabling Works - April 2026(PDF, 89KB) 

Click here to view past Community Information

Click here to view the Wollombi Road Upgrade - Schematic Design(PDF, 3MB)

Please note that images are representations and not to scale. Elements are subject to change in detailed design.

Council has introduced a series of initiatives to help keep businesses on Wollombi Road visible throughout construction. If you’re a business on Wollombi Road in the construction zone and would like to get involved, we encourage you to read more about the initiatives and register your details. 

Council’s project team is always happy to assist. You can contact us directly by calling 4993 4100 or via email: wollombiroadupgrade@cessnock.nsw.gov.au

Please note that monetary compensation for potential loss of business due to construction will not be available. However, Council will work closely with affected businesses throughout all stages of the project to manage and minimise impacts.

The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) is the planning approval document for the project and is a requirement under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. 

The REF was prepared in two stages to consider all matters affecting, or likely to affect the environment as a result of the proposed activities associated with the upgrade of Wollombi Road. Stage 1 covers Abbotsford St, Bellbird to West Avenue, Cessnock and Stage 2 covers West Avenue to Allandale Road, Cessnock.

The REF for each stage were publicly exhibited and we reviewed and responded to all submissions. We appreciate the time and effort put into the community put into submissions. A summary of what we heard during exhibition is provided in the Engagement Summary Reports.

Review of Environmental Factors & Engagement Reports 

Works have recommenced in April 2026

2026 Updates

March

From 16 March 2026, enabling works for the Wollombi Road Upgrade Project will begin across multiple areas, including Wollombi Road, Cessnock and Heaton Road, Quorrobolong.

Wollombi Road – Survey and Investigation Works

Survey and utility investigation works will commence on Wollombi Road, between Abbotsford Street, Bellbird and Allandale Road, Cessnock. These activities support the recommencement of construction for the WRUP.

Works will take place on weekdays from 7:00am to 6:00pm, and the site compound at 2 Wollombi Road, Cessnock will begin to be used again.

During this period, the community may notice:

• Increased activity in the project area
• Traffic control measures including reduced speed limits, temporary traffic lights, signage and traffic controllers
• Short temporary road closures with detours clearly signposted
• Temporary impacts to on-street parking, footpath access, and intermittent construction noise

Heaton Road – Investigation and Haulage Works

Survey and Investigation works will commence on Heaton Road, Quorrobolong, this week. Haulage works will also commence on Heaton Road from 16 March 2026, transporting materials from Council’s stockpile sites at the corner of Sandy Creek Road and Heaton Road to support upcoming repair works.

The community may notice increased truck movements along Heaton Road during weekdays from 7:00am to 6:00pm. All barriers will remain in place, and Heaton Road will stay closed until the required repairs are complete.

Council thanks the community for their patience and cooperation while these important works are carried out. Further updates will be provided as the project progresses.

February

On 18 February, Council supported a proposal for the Wollombi Road Upgrade Project (WRUP) to enter into negotiations with a single preferred contractor. This contractor will deliver the remaining Stage 1 works and the proposed Stage 2 works.

Council will now negotiate with the preferred contractor to deliver the project as a single, cohesive program of works. Delivering both stages together will improve efficiency and help minimise disruption to the community as much as possible.

The two stages were originally planned and funded separately. Council has worked to streamline these projects to support a more integrated delivery model. The decision was made to terminate the Stage 1 contract to ensure the project could move forward in a stronger position and continue to deliver value and improved outcomes for the community.

Council will provide further updates once contract negotiations are finalised. Site establishment by the new contractor is expected to commence from Q2 2026.

January

Following a review of progress in preparation for the next stage of delivery and a period of negotiation the contract with the construction provider for Stage 1 works was ended in December. Council is now entering into negotiations with a new contractor.

Once a new contractor is on board to recommence works, an updated construction timeline will be provided to the community. Residents and businesses will be notified in advance before works recommence in 2026.

Council is committed to taking a proactive approach to managing the project to ensure it delivers long term benefits for the community including improved pedestrian safety, traffic flow and access along Wollombi Road.

Please direct all enquiries to the Council Project Team via;
Phone: 1800 290 991 or 02 4993 4100

Email: wollombiroadupgrade@cessnock.nsw.gov.au

2025 Updates

December

Works on Wollombi Road will wind-down as the Christmas period approaches, with construction focusing on completing essential tasks, restoring local road and side street access, reinstating driveway access and tidying work zones before the holiday break.  

This pause in works provides an important opportunity to review progress as we prepare for the next stage of delivery.  

Council will continue to take a proactive approach to managing the project, making adjustments needed to maintain efficiency, quality and value for the community. 

We remain committed to delivering a high-quality outcome that delivers lasting benefits for our region.

A further update will be provided early in the new year, outlining the next steps for the project and how the program will continue to progress through 2026 and into 2027.  

We thank you for your continued patience, cooperation and support as we deliver this major infrastructure project.

July: Stage 1

Construction on Stage 1 of the Wollombi Road Upgrade project is underway.

To keep the community informed, we’ll be publishing Weekly Works Updates outlining upcoming activities.

As work progresses, Symal will communicate directly with affected residents as needed. The team will continue to stay in touch throughout the project to keep you informed and answer any questions along the way. Council will also post any active Community Notifications.

The Stage 1 works have been split into three zones, as shown in the map below.

Stage 2

The project team would like to thank everyone who participated in the Public Exhibition of the Wollombi Road Upgrade Project, Stage 2 Review of Environmental Factors, which ran from 3 June to 15 July 2025. We appreciate the time and effort put into the submissions.

We have reviewed and responded to all submissions, and provided the Engagement Summary Report for Stage 2 REF (see below). During the public exhibition period we received 25 submissions. Key themes included care for pedestrian and passenger safety, population growth and reviewing turning restrictions on some intersections. Full information can be found in the report.

Design work is continuing, with authority approvals and the tender process for the construction contractor also underway.

View Engagement Summary Report(PDF, 1MB)

April: From Monday 14 April safety barriers will be installed along Wollombi Road and major construction will commence in Zone 1 (see map below showing the construction zones).

Upcoming construction activities include relocating utilities, upgrading stormwater and road pavement works.

Impacted residents have received a letter from Symal outlining the work and construction impacts. The team will continue to stay in touch throughout the project to keep you informed and answer any questions along the way.

2024 Updates

February: Night work began Tuesday 6 February to locate and map utilities and inspect stormwater infrastructure via CCTV; works occurred Sunday to Thursday nights between 9pm and 5am for up to two weeks, with traffic control in place but no impact to resident access.

July: Workers carried out geotechnical investigations, surveys, potholing, and service locating to inform the detailed road design; short-term road shoulder or lane closures were managed by traffic controllers.

October: Site investigations commenced Monday 28 October to locate existing utility services between West Avenue, Cessnock and Abbotsford Street, Bellbird; works ran for approximately four weeks during daylight hours (7am–5pm), with reduced speed limits but no road closures.

November: Additional night work was scheduled between 25–29 November to complete utility locating using hydro-vacuum excavation; while no roads were closed, speed limits were reduced and minor delays possible due to changed traffic conditions. The road design is nearing completion, with community updates expected in late November; a construction contractor is set to be appointed by the end of 2024, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2025.

December: Symal was appointed as the construction contractor for the Wollombi Road upgrade. With a strong track record across NSW and Victoria, Symal is set to begin construction in February 2025. The community will receive further updates and notifications in early 2025 as the project transitions into the construction phase.

2023 Updates

April: The project entered the early design phase, with initial work focused on community engagement, environmental approvals, surveys, and planning of engineering investigations required before construction can begin.

June: Field investigation works were scheduled to commence in late July or August, including geotechnical investigations, service locating, and surveying to inform preliminary designs addressing issues such as parking and road layout.

August: Community consultation continued, including a 'Coffee with a Councillor' event held 12 July; a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) began to assess potential environmental impacts. Stage 1 and 2 investigation works were pending acceptance of the preliminary engineering tender.

September: The preliminary engineering contract was awarded to KBR in late August. Site investigations between Vincent Street and Abbotsford Street were scheduled to start in early October, including surveying, underground service locating, and geotechnical investigations. Early consultation with local businesses and residents remained ongoing.

December: Investigations carried out since early October included surveying, drilling, stormwater and noise assessments, and reviewing the condition of existing infrastructure. Most work was completed by December, with some inground service investigations continuing into early 2024. Work began on developing a preferred concept design and conducting environmental investigations for the Review of Environmental Factors, to be publicly displayed in 2024.

The Cessnock Local Government Area is experiencing rapid growth, and the upgrade of Wollombi Road is essential to accommodate current and forecasted traffic growth and to alleviate congestion on our roads. 

The upgrade of Wollombi Road is well understood as a local transport priority, with Council identifying the need as far back as 2009 in the Bellbird North Section 94 Contributions Plan, and reinforced in subsequent studies and strategies.

In 2018 the Cessnock LGA community was engaged in the development of the Cessnock LGA Traffic and Transport Strategy 2018. Consultation revealed that one of the key traffic and transport issues identified by the community is congestion along Wollombi Road, particularly during peak periods.

Council publicly exhibited the updated Cessnock LGA Traffic and Transport Strategy (CTTS) 2023. The upgrade of Wollombi Road continues to be identified as a priority infrastructure project that will address the long-term growth of Cessnock.

Planned development and population growth in Bellbird North

This plan shows the scale of the Bellbird North Urban Release area that is approved for housing development and the expected population growth in this specific area.

Projected increase in traffic on Wollombi Road

This graphic shows the vehicles travelling on Wollombi Road at peak hours each day from a 2015 study versus projected vehicles travelling on Wollombi Road at peak hours in 2031.

Regular updates will be shared directly with those impacted by the contractor, as well as with broader community via Council’s website, social media and online newsletters.

As construction ramps up, direct notification will be provided to affected properties at least 7 days before works commence, which is then added to Council’s project website. A ‘Weekly Works Update’ will also be shared on Council’s Facebook page.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to subscribe to project updates online for the latest information.

The upgrade of Wollombi Road will deliver high-quality infrastructure that supports the local community and improve accessibility which is crucial for our growing region. It will include new traffic signals, signalised pedestrian crossings and improvements to street lighting, footpaths, stormwater and kerb and gutter. 

Upgrading Wollombi Road will also directly benefit and accelerate the release of future residential development within the Bellbird North Urban Release Area (URA) and will support the development of approximately 3,500 new dwellings.

The Wollombi Road upgrade is a major council project and will be funded through a combination of funds from the NSW Accelerated Infrastructure Fund, the Commonwealth’s Housing Support Program - Community Enabling Infrastructure Program, the State Voluntary Planning Agreement Funding Program, developer contributions and contributions from Hunter Water.

Council applied to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a Special Variation (SV) for the 2026-27 year. The purpose of the SV is to commence the journey to financial sustainability, with a view to maintaining service levels wherever possible, in response to very significant cost pressures which have outstripped revenue for many years.

The Wollombi Road Upgrade Project is jointly funded through a combination of state, federal and local programs. The Wollombi Road upgrade is unrelated to the application for a Special Variation.

• Reduced congestion and improved traffic flow along Wollombi Road

• Improved efficiency, travel times and road safety for vehicles and pedestrians

• Fit for purpose infrastructure for a growing area, benefiting local businesses and tourism

Throughout the duration of construction, our aim is to maintain two lanes of traffic (one in each direction), where possible.

Traffic changes will be managed closely throughout the project, and construction will be carried out in sections to minimise impacts. There will be road signage installed, and impacted residents will be directly notified by the contractor.

A program of early community and stakeholder engagement commenced in July 2023.

This early engagement meant that Council could gather community feedback to inform the design and planning of the road upgrade. 

Through a series of community engagement activities and events, Council was also able to raise awareness about the project and the need to cater for growth in the LGA. 

During the face-to-face engagement events, the Council team had over 300 conversations with members of the community and business owners. Our team met or spoke to 64 businesses on Wollombi Road to seek feedback on the project, and how it may impact them both during and after construction.

The design for Stage 1 was shared with the community in November 2025, where Council gave residents and businesses the opportunity to meet to discuss the final design.

Council has also developed a series of initiatives to help mitigate any disruptions to businesses along Wollombi Road, which was shared in late 2024.

Residents and businesses had the opportunity to provide feedback on the Stage 2 Review of Environmental Factors in June 2025.

Council will continue to work with residents, businesses and key stakeholders as the project progresses, and impacted residents will be notified of any future works.

During April, there will also be a temporary bus and cyclist detour route implemented. The date of the detour will be communicated once confirmed. 

To contact Council's project team

Phone:  02 4993 4100
Email: wollombiroadupgrade@cessnock.nsw.gov.au

For any construction queries, please contact Daracon:

Phone: 1800 290 991
Email: wollombiroad@daracon.com.au