Cessnock City Council adopted the 2021-22 Operational Plan and Budget at the latest meeting of Council. It was a positive atmosphere in the chambers with the impressive $43 million Capital Works Program welcomed by Council.
Council's General Manager Lotta Jackson said Council staff are prepared for the busy year ahead.
"We understand our community want to see more upgrades of our roads and local infrastructure. Council is working extremely hard to meet these expectations while also making sound financial decisions. The significant Capital Works Program is largely possible due to Council securing grant funding from the NSW and Federal governments. We're focused on ensuring we seek out every opportunity on offer and this proactive approach has seen us secure more than $27 million in external funding."
The program will see over $14 million invested in local and regional roads. The huge program of works is not the only good news, despite the economic impact of COVID-19, a surplus is forecast for the upcoming 2021-22 budget.
Highlights of the 2021-22 Budget include:
- $8.8 million will be invested in upgrading Cessnock Airport.
- Over $2.1 million to be invested in Kurri Kurri Town Centre including the upgrade of Lang Street and Col Brown Rotary Park.
- Big ticket roads projects include: $2.3 million for upgrading Old Maitland Road, $1 million for Cessnock Road, Weston, $1 million for Mitchell Avenue, Kurri Kurri and just under $840,000 to upgrade Wollombi Road, Millfield.
- Council's Safer Roads Program will see over $1 million invested in Sandy Creek Road, Cessnock and $1.7 million for George Downes Drive Bucketty.
- The bridge construction program is valued at over $4 million. This will include the replacement of Yango Creek Bridge in Wollombi, Kline Street Bridge in Weston, demolition of Cunneens Bridge in Wollombi, replacement of Watagan Creek Bridge Number 1 in Laguna and a new bridge for Westcott Street, Cessnock.
To view the Plan visit Council's website.
