Cessnock City Council has agreed to support the Australian Local Government Association's (ALGA) national funding priorities, and has put forward its top 10 projects that could be progressed with the additional funding.
With the Federal Election set to be held on 21 May, the ALGA developed a framework for a national advocacy campaign that will run in the lead-up.
Based around the tagline, 'Don't leave local communities behind', the goal is to secure funding and policy commitments that will support all Australian councils and communities.
Cessnock City Council will participate by writing to all known election candidates and the President of ALGA to put forward its top 10 priority infrastructure projects, and seek funding commitments.
Council's top 10 infrastructure priorities include:
- Renewal of the local road network - $127 million
- Planning the Cessnock CBD bypass - $1 million
- Upgrading Wollombi Road between Bellbird and Cessnock - $45 million
- A netball precinct at Booth Park, Kurri Kurri - $7.5 million
- Upgrading Maitland Road between Cessnock and East Cessnock Public School - $17 million
- Widening Main Road between Cliftleigh and Kurri Kurri CBD - $20 million
- Richmond Vale Rail Trail construction - $25 million
- Richmond Main legacy mining site remediation - $8 million
- Hart Road Interchange Northern Ramps construction - $20 million
- Upgrading Old Maitland Road at Sawyers Gully - $10 million
Cessnock City Council Mayor Jay Suvaal said each of these projects will deliver great benefits for our community, and he hopes to see the funding delivered.
"As a Council with a small population base but a large geographical area, we have limited resources and funding. This is why it's so important to advocate for additional government support so we're able to deliver better outcomes for our community," Cr Suvaal said.
"Economic leadership, infrastructure funding and a strategic commitment from all levels of government are critical to ensuring our growing community thrives."
Find out more about Council's 10 key infrastructure priorities and its Economic Growth Agenda here.
