DCP Review: Temporary Events

Following a 2-month exhibition period, this project page has now concluded. Thank you for your feedback. The project team will now review all submissions.



Key Summary

  • Council values and supports events and acknowledges that events are vital for tourism, local business, and community life.
  • Council must update the DCP as it is inconsistent with the current planning legislation. Until legislation is changed Council will not be able to approve exemptions for temporary events.
  • Council has previously attempted to insert provision into planning legislation (the Cessnock Local Environmental Plan 2011) to allow some minor events to be exempt from development approval however this proposal was not supported by the NSW State Government.
  • In order to reduce the time and cost of gaining a Development Consent for smaller events, the Draft DCP proposes two levels of controls for temporary events – lower impact and higher impact.
  • Council will also produce a draft Events Guide to make it easier to understand for our community.
  • Council is committed to keeping events alive and thriving in the Hunter Valley however also has to balance this with the complaints that are received by Council on the impact of events.
  • We want to work together with the NSW State Government, industry and the community to make sure the rules are fair, workable, and supportive of our region.
  • The current draft is not final – it is on public exhibition for community feedback with an extended closing date of 24 September 2025
  • Council will not finalise or adopt it until after submissions are considered.


Updated Statement

Council acknowledges the significant concern and confusion this project has raised in the community. We hope this updated project information and answers to frequently asked questions may provide some clarity.

The public exhibition of the draft DCP Chapter has been extended until 24 September 2025 to allow the community more time to provide their feedback.

Please know that Council also appreciates and understands how vitally beneficial temporary events are for our community, the local economy, local businesses and our cultural life here in Cessnock.

Council is working to make events easier for our community while still balancing our requirements to adhere to State Government planning laws.

While this project is on public exhibition it is open for genuine community consultation. Once a public exhibition period concludes, it does not automatically mean the project is endorsed. After consultation is concluded, Council will review submissions received from our community. A response to the issues raised via submissions will be reported to Council before a decision on how to proceed is made. Council has also committed to meeting with the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association, being a key industry group, to discuss concerns raised in the exhibition period.


Updated Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions?



Project Information

Council is asking the community for feedback on an amended chapter of the Cessnock Development Control Plan (DCP) in regards to Temporary Events. The updated chapter has been drafted as the original was created in 2011, is outdated and includes information that no longer matches current NSW planning laws.

Council had been working to allow some smaller events on private land without needing a development application (DA), but state agencies raised concerns about how the impacts of these events would be managed.

To avoid confusion and provide clear guidance, Council has created a new draft version of the DCP for temporary events. This new version will replace the old chapter (Chapter D8) and remove the outdated DA exemption.



Important Documents



How to make a submission

The Draft Chapter will be on public exhibition from Wednesday 30 July 2025 and has been extended by a further 28 days to close at 4pm on Wednesday 24 September 2025. Submissions are now invited from the community.

1. You can make a submission via survey using the online form located below

2. Alternatively, written submissions are welcome and should be addressed to The General Manager and include the title "DCP Review: Temporary Events". Written submissions will be accepted up until 4.00pm on Wednesday 24 September 2025 via:

  • Email to council@cessnock.nsw.gov.au
  • In person: over the counter at Cessnock City Council Administration building: 62-78 Vincent St, Cessnock NSW 2325
  • Post to PO Box 152, CESSNOCK NSW 2325

Following a 2-month exhibition period, this project page has now concluded. Thank you for your feedback. The project team will now review all submissions.



Key Summary

  • Council values and supports events and acknowledges that events are vital for tourism, local business, and community life.
  • Council must update the DCP as it is inconsistent with the current planning legislation. Until legislation is changed Council will not be able to approve exemptions for temporary events.
  • Council has previously attempted to insert provision into planning legislation (the Cessnock Local Environmental Plan 2011) to allow some minor events to be exempt from development approval however this proposal was not supported by the NSW State Government.
  • In order to reduce the time and cost of gaining a Development Consent for smaller events, the Draft DCP proposes two levels of controls for temporary events – lower impact and higher impact.
  • Council will also produce a draft Events Guide to make it easier to understand for our community.
  • Council is committed to keeping events alive and thriving in the Hunter Valley however also has to balance this with the complaints that are received by Council on the impact of events.
  • We want to work together with the NSW State Government, industry and the community to make sure the rules are fair, workable, and supportive of our region.
  • The current draft is not final – it is on public exhibition for community feedback with an extended closing date of 24 September 2025
  • Council will not finalise or adopt it until after submissions are considered.


Updated Statement

Council acknowledges the significant concern and confusion this project has raised in the community. We hope this updated project information and answers to frequently asked questions may provide some clarity.

The public exhibition of the draft DCP Chapter has been extended until 24 September 2025 to allow the community more time to provide their feedback.

Please know that Council also appreciates and understands how vitally beneficial temporary events are for our community, the local economy, local businesses and our cultural life here in Cessnock.

Council is working to make events easier for our community while still balancing our requirements to adhere to State Government planning laws.

While this project is on public exhibition it is open for genuine community consultation. Once a public exhibition period concludes, it does not automatically mean the project is endorsed. After consultation is concluded, Council will review submissions received from our community. A response to the issues raised via submissions will be reported to Council before a decision on how to proceed is made. Council has also committed to meeting with the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association, being a key industry group, to discuss concerns raised in the exhibition period.


Updated Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions?



Project Information

Council is asking the community for feedback on an amended chapter of the Cessnock Development Control Plan (DCP) in regards to Temporary Events. The updated chapter has been drafted as the original was created in 2011, is outdated and includes information that no longer matches current NSW planning laws.

Council had been working to allow some smaller events on private land without needing a development application (DA), but state agencies raised concerns about how the impacts of these events would be managed.

To avoid confusion and provide clear guidance, Council has created a new draft version of the DCP for temporary events. This new version will replace the old chapter (Chapter D8) and remove the outdated DA exemption.



Important Documents



How to make a submission

The Draft Chapter will be on public exhibition from Wednesday 30 July 2025 and has been extended by a further 28 days to close at 4pm on Wednesday 24 September 2025. Submissions are now invited from the community.

1. You can make a submission via survey using the online form located below

2. Alternatively, written submissions are welcome and should be addressed to The General Manager and include the title "DCP Review: Temporary Events". Written submissions will be accepted up until 4.00pm on Wednesday 24 September 2025 via:

  • Email to council@cessnock.nsw.gov.au
  • In person: over the counter at Cessnock City Council Administration building: 62-78 Vincent St, Cessnock NSW 2325
  • Post to PO Box 152, CESSNOCK NSW 2325
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    DCP Review: Temporary Events

    All formal submissions must include your full name, email and postal address.

    If your submission is an objection to a proposal, your reasons should be clearly provided. Make sure that you keep your responses relevant to the specific proposal.

Page last updated: 07 Oct 2025, 09:36 AM