The Senate inquiry into the decentralisation of federal government departments will hear from Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent on May 19.
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| Bob Pynsent |
He will be putting forward why Cessnock should be considered as one of the possible locations for a department after the Turnbull Government announced it would be attempting to decentralise Canberra and Sydney.
Mr Pynsent was invited to the Inquiry after a mayoral minute in February, which called for the federal government to consider Cessnock as a preferred option.
"It's a great opportunity to publicise what a great place the Cessnock Local Government Area is to live in," Mr Pynsent said.
"To a federal department, it offers that affordability in regards to housing and a magnificent lifestyle."
Despite being invited to the event, Cessnock is still not guaranteed a department will move to the Lower Hunter, especially considering the proximity to the University of Newcastle.
However, Mr Pynsent remains confident that Cessnock will put on a good showing for the inquiry.
"To me, I'm still confident," he said.
He said the Hunter Expressway is a key piece of infrastructure that will also put Cessnock in a positive light.
"The connectivity to Newcastle and to Sydney is critical for the relocation of a federal government department," he said.
When the announcement was made, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce urged local governments from across Australia to put their hands up to be recommended.
"We have long believed that the government should consider shifting federal government departments out of the Sydney CBD to give people the choice of living and working in regional areas," he said.
"Regional Australia deserves the benefits of public sector employment just as much as any capital city.
"After all, regional Australia supplies the water, food, electricity and gas which powers our cities."
