Council’s annual report tells a positive story

 Cessnock City Council has released its 2018/19 Annual Report which highlights Council is so much more than rates, roads and rubbish when it comes to what it delivers to our community.  

The 2018/19 financial year was a busy one as the staff and Councillors worked hard to achieve the objectives within the Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program and Operational Plan.  

The numbers for some of Council’s services in 2018/19 were quite staggering. The Cessnock Performing Arts Centre sold 16,478 tickets, there were 176,996 visitors to local libraries, 186,749 pool visits and 92,000 visitors to Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre.    

The Cessnock Waste Management Centre had 43,649 visits through the gate, there were 3,518 tonnes of recoverable materials received and local garbage collections saw 1.13 million bins emptied.   

Council’s Customer Service Team was busy responding to community members, taking 55,394 calls, resolving 24,093 customer requests and helping over 7,500 people at the counter. In the planning department, there were 937 local Development Applications determined.    

Federal and State Government grant funding is a way for Council to deliver large scale projects to the community and in 2018/19, Council secured close to $13 million in additional funding. This has enabled for projects like Bridges Hill Park, the Cessnock CBD revitalisation, the Parks Shade Program and the new Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism Signage.    

Council’s capital works program saw nearly $15 million of works delivered to our community which incorporates over $5 million in road renewal jobs and close to $2 million invested in local bridges.    

Council’s General Manager, Lotta Jackson said the annual report shows Council is in a strong position and she looks forward to another positive year.  

“We have some exciting projects in our operational plan and delivery program and we will continue to apply for government grants so we’re able to deliver even more to our community.”  

Residents are encouraged to check out Council’s 2018/19 Annual Report by visiting www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/council/policies/annualreport.  

 11/22/2019