Cessnock City News July 2017

It is hard to believe we are half way through 2017, and what a fantastic first half of the year we have had.

We started the year with the introduction of the Green Organics Kerbside collection service. This has been a real success and has resulted in a significant decrease in how much we as a community are putting into landfill.

We have also celebrated and enjoyed a number of community events including Seniors Week, Youth Week, Free Microchip Month of May, NAIDOC Week and of course the Mayoral Scholarships. It is fantastic to be able to support twelve students as they embark on their studies and training. This is an annual program and I encourage students to consider applying during the next round.

We now are working hard on preparing for NSW Local Government Week, Spring Awakening and Carols in the Park. Community events are a a great opportunity for us to come together and celebrate the wonderful people, places and services in our local government area.

A highlight to date was hosting His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales and Mrs Hurley during their visit to Cessnock in June. The Vice Regal visit was an

opportunity to showcase the Cessnock Local Government Area and all we have to be proud of.

Council continues to remain focused on major infrastructure projects. We will celebrate the completion of the Broke Road and Hermitage Road project, work will continue along Frame Drive and the community will soon have access to a new and improved Waste Transfer Station.

Mayor of the City of CessnockCouncillor Bob Pynsent

CESSNOCK UNITES: National Reconciliation Week 2017

Message from the Mayor - Our year to date

+

Waste Vouchers

Households with a domestic waste service are issued four waste vouchers each financial year to help manage their domestic waste.

Vouchers are attached to the rates notice issued in July. Keep your vouchers in a safe place. They are issued once and replacement vouchers will not be reissued.

Vouchers must be presented at the time of disposal and can be used to dispose of up to 500kg of domestic household waste. Vouchers cannot be used for disposing mattresses, tyres or hazardous waste items.

Coming to a street near you…Check out our website for a full schedule of upcoming works in your area.

cessnock.nsw.gov.au

Local Government Week NSWMonday 31 July to 6 August 2017

School Leaders Breakfast Tuesday 1 AugustCessnock Performing Arts Centre

2017 Spring Awakening Calendar of eventsFriday 8 September 2017

2017 Carols in the ParkCalendar of events Friday 1 December 2017

Save the date! No time wasted, new Waste Transfer Station

Cessnock residents will soon have access to a modern and advanced Waste Transfer Station. The new facility, located at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre, is nearing completion and on track to open to the public shortly.

Cessnock City Council’s Manager of Environment and Waste, Michael Alexander said he is excited to present the facility to the community.

'“This is a vital upgrade for our community, it means residents will have access to a safer, modern and convenient service. The redesign will provide the community with more resource recovery opportunities which will reduce both the customers cost and Council's operating costs,” Mr Alexander said.

Increased resource recovery opportunities are for a range of materials including metals, garden organics, electronic waste, paints, oils, gas bottles and batteries.

Cessnock City Council thanks the community for their patience during the construction phase. To keep up to date with construction please visit www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/wastecentre.

Birds eye view of Waste Transfer Station

Works have ramped up on Frame Drive, Abermain following Cessnock City Council securing $4.45 million in funding under the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads program.

Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent welcomed the announcement of additional funding.

“It was fantastic to see our lobbying to the NSW Government about Frame Drive Bridge was not only heard, but listened to and prompted action.”

“While I welcomed the opening of the new concrete bridge I was concerned about the increase of traffic along the route as it is a key connector to the Hunter Expressway. This funding is an opportunity to address these issues as the safety of road users is paramount.”

Safety works will include service relocation, drainage works, pavement improvements, road widening and intersection safety improvements.

Council will continue to work with Roads and Maritime Services in an effort to address other issues along the route, including the Hart Road Interchange of HEX and the Orange Street/Cessnock Road intersection.

+

Council secures Frame Drive funding

Final touches for Broke & Hermitage Road Project

A fresh perspective

The final touches are now being carried out for the $17.1 million joint project with Singleton Council on Broke and Hermitage Road. The new and improved route provides better and safer access

for tourists exploring the Hunter Valley vineyards.The NSW Government’s Restart NSW Resources for Regions program provided $16.7 million in funding for the upgrade.

Cessnock City Mayor, Cr Bob Pynsent & Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Hon. Melinda Pavey, MP.

We are really proud to support young people in our community and currently have some fantastic trainees and apprentices working with us, who are gaining meaningful on the job experience. In 2015/16, Council approved the appointment of two school-based trainees and was also successful in gaining funding under the Elisa Dixon Scholarship for our third trainee. These ambitious Year 11 students started with Council’s Business Support team for one day per week in February and are completing a Certificate II in Business Services.

We also have a great bunch of young apprentices who are completing a range of trades including Bridge Carpentry, Mechanical, Painting, Carpentry and Parks and Gardens. One of our Bridge Carpentry apprentices, Bailey Cox said, “I’ve learnt so much in my two and a half years with Council and love my job as it’s interesting and different to normal carpentry apprenticeships.” These young employees are like a breath of fresh air in our workplace as not only do they bring with them infectious enthusiasm and a positive attitude, but they also have great ideas and new ways of doing things, which is highly valued.

Bridge Carpenter, Bailey Cox.

Student Trainee, Marnie Bullen.

Disclaimer: Content is accurate at time of print July 2017 Cessnock City Council accepts no responsibility for any consequences resulting from inadvertent errors.

Council meetingsCouncil meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of every month in the Council Chambers at the rear of Council’s Administration Building, off Cumberland Street, Cessnock. Members of the community are very welcome to attend. Agendas are available on our website on Friday afternoons ahead of a Council meeting. Minutes are also located on our website. Get to know your Councillors at cessnock.nsw.gov.au/council/councillors

Ward A

Cr Allan Stapleford

Cr Mark Lyons

Cr Paul Dunn

Ward B

Cr Di Fitzgibbon

Cr Ian Olsen

Cr Jay Suvaal

Ward C

Cr Anne Sander

Cr John Fagg

Cessnock City Council62-75 Vincent Street Cessnock NSW 2325Opening hours 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday P 02 4993 4100 E council@cessnock.nsw.gov.au W cessnock.nsw.gov.au

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter@CessnockCouncil

Contact details

Ward D

Cr Anthony Burke

Cr Rod Doherty

Cr Darrin Gray

Get socialWant updates fast?

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to find out what is happening in our community.

@CessnockCityCouncil

Cr Melanie Dagg