Mayoral Column - 12 February 2025

Published on 12 February 2025

In light of the Cessnock LGA’s Natural Disaster Declaration, I highly encourage local residents who have been affected by the severe storms and rainfall on January 15-16 2025, to consider the assistance being offered through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Eligible residents, small businesses, primary producers and non-for-profit organisations or sporting clubs can apply to access support including emergency accommodation, grants to replace essential household items and for crucial structural home repairs, and concessional interest rate loans for repair or replacement of damaged property.

Additionally, there are freight subsidies for primary producers to transport livestock and fodder, and until 28 February 2025 storm-affected green waste and recyclable materials are being accepted at Cessnock Waste Management Centre free of charge. For further information on disaster assistance eligibility and how to apply, call Service NSW at 13 77 88 (Monday-Friday 7am-7pm) or visit the Service NSW office at Darwin Street and North Avenue, Cessnock (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm).

Thank you again to Council staff, first responders, and community members for the on-going efforts in the aftermath of this natural disaster. Day after day, everyone works collaboratively towards recovery throughout our region, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of our community.

Speaking of community, I’d like to remind all residents that Council is hosting a free mattress drop-off event later this month. Members of the local community are welcome to drop off their old mattresses and ensembles for re-use and recycle between 8am – 12 noon on Saturday 22 February at Mount View Basin, 197 Mount View Road, Cessnock.

Last year’s mattress drop-off garnered a huge response, with over 2,400 mattresses dropped off, and I’m really pleased to be offering this initiative once again to residents, at no cost. Please note that there is a maximum of four mattresses or bases allowed per resident. For more information on the event, please visit this page.

In other exciting news, Council has officially launched construction on the new $10m netball court facility at Booth Park, Kurri Kurri.

This exciting development will replace the existing courts at Molly Worthington Netball Facility, Kurri Kurri, and is designed to meet the growing demands for modern sporting infrastructure in Kurri Kurri and surrounding areas. The significant upgrades are set to include 12 new floodlit plexipave surfaced netball courts, a multi-purpose half-court, a new amenities building and two formalised car parks.

It’s exciting to see this important development underway, which will improve local sporting facilities to better service our expanding community. While we’re still in the early stages of construction, I’ve no doubt this netball facility is going to be a welcome addition and well-loved sporting hub for residents. To learn more, visit the project page here.