Cessnock City Council has set out a bold blueprint outlining the requirements for a future transport network that can accommodate the rapid population growth it is experiencing, in its latest Traffic and Transport Strategy.
The Cessnock LGA Traffic and Transport Strategy 2023 is now on public exhibition and comes in response to revised population forecasts since the previous strategy was prepared in 2018.
The Cessnock LGA is among the fastest growing areas in New South Wales, with an annual growth rate of approximately 3.8 per cent. By 2041, the number of residents is predicted to reach 112,419, which represents a massive 67% increase over the period.
The Cessnock LGA is predicted to be the second fastest growing local government area in NSW, and eleventh fastest in Australia to 2041.
Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Jay Suvaal said the anticipated growth will result in further traffic and parking demands on our community, and doing nothing is not an option.
"The City of Cessnock needs a robust plan for our future traffic and transport requirements. The aim of this strategy is to identify current network deficiencies and both improve and future-proof the transport network for our rapidly growing community," said Clr Suvaal.
"This strategy presents clear evidence against arguments challenging road upgrades on the basis that Cessnock is only a 'small country town', and details the bold steps we need to take to keep pace with the rapid population growth we are experiencing.
"The Cessnock LGA is doing the heavy lifting, releasing land for housing development. We need State and Federal Governments to provide financial support for the critical infrastructure needed to accommodate the subsequent population growth and to implement this strategy."
The Cessnock LGA Traffic and Transport Strategy details the preferred road network to 2041, with staged delivery points at 2026, 2031 and 2041, and incorporates upgrades to Wollombi Road, the addition of northern and southern link roads around the Cessnock CBD, duplication of the existing Maitland Road/Main Road corridor, upgrades to Old Maitland Road, investigations on best use of the Cessnock Branch Railway corridor, and other improvements including continued roll out of our shared pathway network to support safe active transport.
Community input has been crucial in shaping the strategy, collected through multiple drop-in sessions, online surveys, and consultations with key stakeholders over the past 12 months.
The resulting strategy is now on an extended 12-week public exhibition period from 27 November 2023 to 19 February 2024 and can be viewed on Council's website at https://together.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/cessnock-tats, at Council's Administration Building or Cessnock City Libraries.
