Mayoral Column - 9 August 2023

Published on 09 August 2023

In July, Cessnock hosted a visit from the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon. Catherine King MP. Minister King and I joined the Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi at Carmichael Park to visit the current works upgrading the regional BMX facility. This important project has benefited from grant funding from the NSW and Federal governments. 

It’s also pleasing that Council resolved to name the upgraded facilities the ‘Neville Tomlinson BMX facility’ at its last Council meeting. Neville Tomlinson, who served as Bellbird Fire Station Captain for 37 years between 1971 and 2008, was instrumental in first establishing the track and naming it in his honour is a fitting tribute. This is a positive outcome and one that was welcomed by his family members, along with Deputy Mayor John Moores, who has been pivitol in the naming of the facility. I look forward to seeing the new facilities opened later this year.   

When I was first running for Mayor the biggest issue raised with me was the state of local roads. I said we needed to build capacity within out works teams and contractor workforce to start delivering more than we ever had before.

I’m pleased to report that last financial year Council delivered a record $10.9 million spend on road maintenance and a further $28 million on road capital works, which combined equate to an almost 250 per cent increase compared to four years ago.

Over the past 12 months we’ve seen significant road improvements through major projects like Camp Road Greta, Wollombi Road Millfield and Oakey Creek Road Pokolbin. This year we have works planned for Mount View Road Cessnock, Sawyers Gully Road Sawyers Gully and Sandy Creek Road Quorrobolong, among others.

We’ve still got more work to do, but the figures from the last 12 months and the results seen on the ground, show we are on the right track. 

Last week, Council commenced its latest round of free Tech Savvy Seniors workshops at the Kurri Kurri Library. The program will see 24 sessions held between now and February, rotating weekly between Kurri Kurri and Cessnock libraries. The practical workshops are led by Harry Kavadas from Seniors, Tech and Tea and teach attendees new skills to become more tech savvy and master their smartphone, computer or tablet. To learn more about the workshops drop in, call or visit the library’s website.

Finally, Support Local has kicked off this month celebrating local artists, artisans, and Indigenous entrepreneurs. Keep an eye out for it on the Advance Cessnock and Council facebook pages.