Hunter Valley Wine Country information bay proposed for Wollombi

Cessnock City Council is excited to include Wollombi as an earmarked location for the construction of an information bay to provide local businesses and attractions greater exposure, as part of the larger Hunter Valley Wine Country destination.   Earlier this year the NSW Government announced Council was successful in securing a $2.2 million grant to continue rolling out the Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourist Signage project.

The funding was awarded under the NSW Government’s Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund. This extra injection of funds will be used to erect new signage consistent with the adopted Hunter Valley Wine Country Signage Strategy.   During 2018 Council was working across the local government area installing precinct signage and information bays. This signage was part of a $2.5 million project that was funded through a dollar for dollar Federal Government Building Better Regions Fund grant.  

Council is building on the existing infrastructure installed and is proposing to construct an information bay on the northern side of Negro Street, Wollombi, integrated with the Wollombi Tennis Club.  The project will also see other improvements carried out including the upgrade of the existing carpark and improving the Negro street access to the carpark.  

Council’s Infrastructure Manager, Katrina Kerr said the new information bay will complement the existing historical information board located on the corner of Wollombi Road and Paynes Crossing Road.  

“The current footpath will be extended from the existing historical information board to the new information bay, creating a connection between these two important information points. We’ve also identified this as an opportunity to install motorcycle safety information board as many motorcyclists visit Wollombi.”  

The information bay will be constructed in alignment with the adopted Wine Country Signage Strategy. Extensive consultation in the development of the strategy ensures the construction is sympathetic to the surrounds, using natural materials including a rammed earth wall. The extension of the footpath will be constructed using the same material as the existing footpath.  

To view more information on this project, including a concept design visit www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/community/exhibition. Residents who want to provide feedback should contact Council at [email protected]. All feedback must be received by Monday 10 June 2019.

 5/13/2019