Project At a Glance

Council has prepared a draft plan to change part of Lot 312 DP 566724 (Old Maitland Road/Government Road, Cessnock) from Community Land to Operational Land, which is needed before it can be sold to Land Specialists Estates NSW PTY LTD. If the proposal is approved, Land Specialists Estates NSW PTY LTD plans to use this land to provide access to new homes built on nearby land to the north.

Background

This Planning Proposal seeks to implement resolutions of the elected Council and the Executive Leadership Team:

• At Ordinary Council Meeting held 20th November 2024, it was resolved that Council reclassify part Lot 312 DP 566724 (Old Maitland Road/Government Road, Cessnock) from Community Land to Operational Land pursuant to Section 30 of the Local Government Act, 1993.
• At Executive Leadership Team Meeting held 14th July 2023, it was resolved that part of Lot 312 DP566724 be reclassified, subject to Council authorisation.

Council has entered into a Deed of Agreement with Land Specialists Estates NSW PTY LTD (Land Specialists), whereby it has agreed to make the subject land available for purchase by Land Specialists.

This Deed requires the reclassification of the subject land from community to operational land as a prerequisite to sale. Land Specialists intends to undertake residential subdivision on the adjacent land to the north and requires secondary access via the subject land.

Project Information

Council is the owner of the subject land which is currently classified as Community Land under the Local Government Act 1993. Council has prepared a draft planning proposal in order to reclassify this land from community to operational.

The Planning Proposal seeks to reclassify the portion of land shown in the image above from Community to Operational Land. The proposal also seeks to remove the public reserve status from the subject land.

You can view the planning proposal by clicking here.

View the important documents about this project via the links below:

• View the Gateway Determination by clicking here.
• View the Gateway Determination - Letter to Council by clicking here.
• View the Practice Note by clicking here.
• View the Council Report from 20^th November 2024 by clicking here.
• View the Council Resolution from 20^th November 2024 by clicking here.

Public Hearing

• Date - Thursday, 3 April, 2025
• Time - 5:30pm - 6:30pm
• Location - East Cessnock Bowling Club - Community Meeting Room (6-12 Victoria Street, Cessnock)

As this planning proposal includes the reclassification of public land from Community to Operational, under the Local Government Act 1993 a public hearing must be held.

The Public Hearing is an independent process to hear and capture community views about the proposed reclassification. This will help to inform Council’s decision about the proposal. All community members are welcome to attend. This hearing will be independently chaired and facilitated.

There are specific requirements for an independent person to chair the hearing and prepare a public hearing report, and that Council make the report publicly available. This is required under Division 1 (29) of the Local Government Act 1993 (Division 1 Classification and reclassification of public land part 29 Public Hearing into reclassification) Local Government Act 1993 No 30 - NSW Legislation.

How to make a submission

The Proposal will be on public exhibition from 3 February, 2025 to 3 March, 2025 and submissions are invited from the community.

You can make a submission using the online form located below or by clicking this link.

Written submissions should be addressed to The General Manager and will be accepted up until 5.00pm 3 March 2025 via:

• Email to council@cessnock.nsw.gov.au ;
• Post to PO Box 152, CESSNOCK NSW 2325