FAQs

The Cessnock Heritage Strategy outlines Cessnock City Council’s approach to the management of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultural heritage in the Cessnock local government area (LGA) over the next four years. 

It does this by identifying and committing to a range of initiatives aimed at conserving and protecting cultural heritage, as well as promoting an understanding and appreciation of heritage across the Cessnock LGA.

Council adopted the current Heritage Policy on 1 March 2024. The policy outlines Cessnock City Council’s commitment to the principles of heritage conservation and provides a framework for recognising, protecting, enhancing and promoting both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultural heritage in the Cessnock local government area (LGA). Through this policy, Council supports the conservation and appreciation of places, objects and landscapes that contribute to the region’s cultural identity and history. With the preparation of the draft Heritage Strategy, the policy now requires updating to ensure alignment, and to provide a consistent and integrated approach to heritage management across the LGA.

The purpose of the Heritage Strategy is to provide a long-term plan of action to guide and strengthen local heritage management within the Cessnock local government area. 

It establishes a clear vision, outlines the strategic context, and identifies key objectives and actions to guide Council’s heritage related activities and programs over the next four years.

The Heritage Strategy is a high-level, strategic document. Consideration of site-specific projects and developments affecting particular heritage items and places are not part of the scope of the Heritage Strategy.

The Heritage Strategy is applicable to heritage management within the context of Council’s jurisdiction in land use and infrastructure planning, compliance and regulation. It does not extend to display, celebration or archiving of artefacts or historical information. These elements of heritage management and promotion are conducted primarily by Council’s Corporate and Community Services Unit, including the Local Studies Library and Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC), and whilst related are not necessarily directly linked to the objectives sought by this strategy.

Additionally, the Cessnock local government area contains the Blue Mountains that are World Heritage listed in relation to their ecological value and excellent examples of geological processes. This Strategy does not extend to objectives and actions for the conservation and protection of these World Heritage listed places, acknowledging the level of protection that already exists for these areas in higher level legislation and governance.

Council has an important role in identifying, assessing and managing cultural heritage in the local government area. This role is fulfilled through the preparation of local environmental plans and development control plans, strategic planning, development assessment, asset and infrastructure management, and ongoing advocacy and education of Council staff and the community.

Heritage encompasses places, the natural environment, people and objects and their embedded stories that are valued by our community. Heritage is not a static concept; rather, it evolves over time and with use, shaped by the values and collective knowledge of the community as it continues to change.

Heritage conservation is essential to protect cultural values and identity, foster a sense of place and belonging, strengthen social cohesion and community wellbeing, support tourism and the visitor economy, inform responsible and sustainable development, ensure compliance with legal obligations, and conserve significant places while safeguarding cultural knowledge for current and future generations.