Council stands by community on access road to the Cessnock Correctional Centre

The public gallery was packed at Wednesday’s Council meeting, many of those present were community members, concerned about the access road to the Cessnock Correctional Centre.  

In recent weeks the community ramped up their campaign to see access to the Centre be taken off the local road network and access be via a direct route to the state road network.  

Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent said based on community feedback Council rejects the three options proposed by NSW Department of Justice in a recent fact sheet released.  

“The current access route through Lindsay Street and Mavis Street is not suitable. Council supports the residents impacted in this area and would like to see this route closed and a new route established using the state road network.”  

“We know residents of Nulkaba are extremely concerned as Kerlew Street has been identified as another viable option. We don’t want to see the access moved from one local road to another. Rate payers will again be forced to foot the bill of ongoing road maintenance.”  

“The access road to the facility has been an ongoing topic of discussion and I have been advocating for our community as a member of the Cessnock Correctional Consultative Committee to secure a solution. I’m committed to seeing this through.” Cr Pynsent said.  

 9/21/2018