Former Cessnock Councillors Sue Liberal Party Over Botched Local Government Elections

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two former Cessnock councillors are leading a class action against the Liberal Party over the botched pre-selection Local Government saga last year.

Court documents show John Moores and Paul Paynter are the lead plaintiffs in the Supreme Court class action.

It comes after dozens of NSW Liberal candidates were not able to run in local elections last year after the state Liberal branch failed to meet a crucial pre-selection deadline.

The former councillors say the damage they suffered included the loss of councillor fees as well as distress and disappointment.

In a Statement Of Claim filed with the court, the councillors claim they were each required to pay a nomination fee $1200 for each winnable position on council and a $2000 donation to the Liberal Party toward the Cessnock City Council election campaign.

A directions hearing is scheduled for this Friday, May 16 2025. 

Former Cessnock Councillors John Moores (left) and Paul Paynter (right) Picture courtesy Inside Local Government

$5.6 million Kurri Kurri CBD Makeover Gets Under Way

 BY IAN CROUCH

Work gets under way today on a major upgrade of Kurri Kurri's commercial centre.

The $5.6 million project involves 900 metres of Lang Street between Alexander and Merthyr Streets.

It includes street tree planting, landscaping, footpaths, pedestrian crossings, street furniture, lighting, line marking and signage.

Stage 1 will focus on the section of Lang Street between Allworth and Hampton Streets and is due for completion by December 23.

The balance of the project will be completed early next year to coincide with the Nostalgia Festival.

Cessnock Mayor, Jay Suvaal acknowledged the project has been significantly delayed and understands the community is keen for work to get under way.

"While there have been delays due to resourcing and supply issues due to COVID-19, I want to reassure resident that there is now a solid plan in place to deliver this exciting project," he said.

 

 

 

 

Hunter mayors come together to call for more disaster support

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A coalition of Hunter mayors is calling on all levels of government to provide more support for the region's disaster recovery.

The Hunter Joint Organisation wants both New South Wales and the Commonwealth to put more money into helping the community back on its feet and become more resilient ahead of future weather events such as floods, bushfires, and drought.

Cessnock Mayor Jay Suvaal says councils can't deal with the effects of climate change by themselves.

"I really welcome that we have got some funding from the State and Federal Governments, but we do need a lot more," he said. 

"This is the second natural disaster declaration our community's had in the last four months, and we need to get more support so we can build back better, and not just continuously try to replace the things as they were."

The nine Hunter mayors, as well as the Mayor of Mid-Coast Council, have all put their names behind the call, including better resourcing for SES and emergency communications.

Large parts of the region were already recovering from previous disasters when last week's floods struck, with local governments concerned with how to cover the cost of repairs and recovery.

"Across our community we've got teams out working day in, day out, trying to get safe access to properties, to allow emergency services to go in and do the work they need to do," Mr Suvaal said.

"What we need to do though is make sure that as the next stage rolls through and we start to build back, we need more support from State and Federal Governments to allow us to do that properly."

Image credit: Cessnock City Council.

New Anvil Creek Bridge Opens in Greta

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Cessnock City Council have announced the official opening of the new Anvil Creek Bridge on Nelson Street in Greta. 

The project has been funded by a $690,800 contribution from the Australian Government under its Bridges Renewal Program, as well as a $1.3 million injection from Cessnock City Council. 

The old structure has now been replaced with a new, 24-metre-long, two-lane concrete bridge. 

200-metres of upgraded pavement on both sides, and a new pedestrian pathway have also been added to allow better access to the Greta Train Station at the western end of Nelson Street. 

Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi, said the project reflects an exciting step forward for the regional community. 

"Nothing is more important than ensuring people get home safe and sound at the end of each road trip, whether it's just a quick run to the local shops or an interstate freight haul," he said. 

"That's why our Government is committed to building a better future for the Hunter Region and for all Australians by delivering infrastructure like this new Anvil Creek Bridge." 

The upgrade comes after safety concerns for the previous single-lane, timber bridge were raised by local residents. 

Cessnock City Council Mayor Jay Suvaal, hopes the bridge will prove to be an important asset for Greta, both in terms of transport and safety. 

"The new Anvil Creek Bridge has a life expectancy of 100 years and has removed all the safety risks that were associated with the old timber bridge, which is just fantastic," Mayor Suvaal said. 

"With an increased clearance above the Anvil Creek waterway, the new bridge will also decrease the prevalence of flooding upstream and allow a less restricted flow of water downstream." 

The new Anvil Creek Bridge in Greta is officially open. 

Cash Splash for Cessnock Road

 BY JARROD MELMETH

A notorious stretch of road at Bucketty near Cessnock is set to receive some safety upgrades after receiving $1.7 million dollars in funding from the State Government.

The improvements will be undertaken along a 700m stretch between George Downes Drive and Great North Road.

The funding is part of the NSW Governments 20/21 Safer Roads program and will be handed to Cessnock City Council to complete the works.

Councils Road Safety Officer Alice Shelton says the road is in dire need of safety upgrades.

"This route is an important link from the M1 through to the Hunter Valley Vineyards which has had a number of crashes on the road which made us eligible for the funding. 

"It will also complement other works we have done in the area, to improve the safety of that linkage," Ms Shelton said. 

Council says the project is in the early stages, but hopes to involve improvements around road shoulder widening, installation of a motorcycle friendly safety barrier, and delineation improvements.

Pictured: George Downes Drive, Bucketty

Funding Announced For Shared Pathway Network In Cessnock

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Cessnock residents will soon be able to get around the CBD and surrounding areas a little easier with state funding announced for a network of shared pathways.

Council has secured a $1.5 million dollar state grant to be used to construct more than 3 kilometres of shared path linking the CBD with two public schools, sporting complexes and community centres.

Mayor Bob Pynsent says it's fantastic news which will improve connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians. 

 

Two Garbage Trucks Go Up In Flames At Cessnock Council Depot

BY IAN CROUCH

A garbage truck has been destroyed and another damaged by fire at Cessnock early Thursday..

Four fire crews from Cessnock and Rutherford were called to the council depot on Old Maitland Road just after midnight.

It took them 3-and-a-half hours to extinguish the fire which guttered one truck and left another partially damaged.

Police say it appears an electrical fault sparked the blaze.

Awareness Campaign For Cessnock Bushland

BY ARIANA GATTI

Cessnock City Council has just launched a new campaign to raise and bring awareness to the importance of the current sustainable state of the surrounding bushland.

The new campaign comes in conjunction with two short films that were recently produced by General Manager and Head of Conservation at the Australian Reptile Park, Tim Faulkner, after his extended visit to the area.

Image Sourced: http://www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/council/news/TimFaulknervisitsourbushland

Both films saw the team up between Faulkner and Project Coordinator from BirdLife Australia, Mick Roderick in order to highlight the significance of flora and fauna of the region to potential visitors and tourists, as well as the impact of illegal dumping and logging.

The bushland around Cessnock is host to many endangered species of flora and fauna which still flourishes as a result of the area being the largest remnant of open land vegetation within the Hunter Valley.

The campaign to educate locals and tourists alike received funding from the NSW State Government through its Environmental Trust.

The environmental-based short films will be available to the public by the end of the month on Cessnock City Council's FaceBook page and website.

Sustainability Officer for Cessnock City Council, Karinda Stone, says the films will be very helpful in generating interest in the regions bushland.

"They will just be short, little films that we'll get out on social media to help raise people's awareness of what's around our area".

"We want people to be aware of the unique wildlife in our region, and with that knowledge, be able to help us protect the bushland that we've got in order to preserve those species", she says.

Image Sourced: http://www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/environment/weeds

Cessnock's Buy Local Initiative

BY ARIANA GATTI

Cessnock City Council is currently asking local businesses to participate and register to be involved in listing their practice in a 'Buy Local Initiative', in a move to connect businesses with the community.

The initiative will introduce a guidebook that will showcase businesses around the area, encouraging locals and visitors to utlise their company first, rather than looking and going elsewhere for services.

Businesses can choose to advertise in the booklet or put in residents only offers.

The guide is set to be launched in July this year, offered both in hard copy and via online channels.

The hard copy will be available from the Council Customer Service Desk, local libraries and the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre.

Cessnock City Council's Economic Development Manager, Jane Holdsworth, says she is confident the initiative will have a positive effect on those involved.

"It's an excellent way for businesses to build local customer relationships and generate loyalty, fostering a greater sense of pride within the community", she says.

Bookings for businesses to participate is set to close around the May period.

Image sourced: http://www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au

Cessnock City Council Launches Campaign to Target Illegal Dumping

BY CAOIMHE MACCARTHY

In an effort to tackle illegal dumping across the region, Cessnock City Council has teamed with local sporting personalities to launch a 12 month 'Better not mess with Cessnock' campaign.

Illegal dumping is the unwarranted disposal of waste in areas other than approved management facilities. There were 377 incidents recorded in the Cessnock Local Government Area last year alone.

Local sporting personalities including Speeding Racing Champion, Kiona Sunterton, Kurri Kurri Bulldogs', Brock Gilmour, Ladies League Tag's, Leanne Polglase, and Cessnock Goanna's, Patrick Jurd will be the faces of the campaign.

Over the next 12 months the campaign will see advertisements on the back of local buses, Council's garbage trucks, ads in the Cessnock Advertiser, and a social media campaign across the Council's Facebook page.

Cessnock Waste Management Centre's Sustainability Officer, Karinda Stone, says the local faces will help bring further attention to the issue of illegal dumping in the area.

"It's about educating and informing people so they're aware that it is a big issue and recognise that it's not the right thing to do with our waste", she says, "We really need to be disposing of it properly".

Cessnock City Mayor Councillor Bob Pynsent commended the local sports stars on their involvement in the campaign and hopes locals will take note of the main message.

"There is absolutely no excuse to mess with Cessnock," he says, "I can assure people that the fines are far worse than the fees at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre".

The year-long campaign was made possible with a $102,118 Illegal Dumping, Clean Up and Prevention grant from the Environment Protection Authority.

Council is urging everyone to report cases of illegal dumping by calling 131 555 or reporting online at ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au.

Image supplied.