Cessnock Rural Lands Study & Strategy

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Farmland with rows of olive trees

About the Project

Cessnock City Council is developing a Rural Lands Study & Strategy to guide the future use, management, and protection of rural lands within the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA). This study will ensure that planning policies reflect the needs of rural landowners, businesses, and the broader community while supporting sustainable agriculture, rural industries, and tourism.

The study will revisit and build upon the 2017 Rural Lands Study to better understand current land use, agricultural productivity, and the changing needs of rural industries. The outcomes of this project will help shape updates to the Cessnock Local Environmental Plan (CLEP 2011), the Cessnock Development Control Plan (CDCP 2010), and the Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS).

Why is this important?

Over two-thirds of the Cessnock LGA is rural land, supporting industries like agriculture, viticulture, tourism, and rural living. However, changing economic conditions, new technologies, environmental challenges, and urban growth pressures mean that we need to rethink how these areas are managed.

This study will help answer key questions, including:
✅ What role does agriculture play in the local, regional, and national economy?
✅ What are the emerging trends affecting rural land use?
✅ How can we support sustainable agriculture, agritourism, and rural businesses?
✅ How can we protect important landscapes, culturally significant lands, and scenic views?

How can I get involved?

There are multiple ways to have your say and contribute to the Rural Lands Study & Strategy:

💬 Take our online survey by clicking here (before 5 pm on Friday 30 May)
📍 Only have a few minutes? Click here to use our interactive map to highlight areas of interest
🗣️ Want to have a chat with the team? Book a meeting by clicking here
✉️ Ask us a question online → Q&A tool

Are you interested in becoming a part of our Cessnock Rural Lands Strategy?

We are seeking participants who are willing to share examples of operational processes used in their industry. To showcase the diversity of rural land uses across the Cessnock LGA, we plan to include a series of case studies in our Draft Rural Lands Strategy, reflecting the range of activities currently operating within our area.

We are inviting expression of interests from a wide range of agricultural industries, including but not limited to, dairy, beef, horticulture/protected cropping, viticulture, broadacre cropping and poultry (meat & eggs).

Participants would expect the following if selected to participate:

  • An onsite meeting with Council staff.
  • Photos associated with the operation (such as of stock, processing equipment and the like)
  • Establishment of a process map of the operation, including primary inputs, processes and exports associated with the enterprise.

Participants will have the opportunity to review and provide feedback on any material drafted or proposed for inclusion in the Strategy.

This process is entirely voluntary.

To express your interest in this opportunity, please contact Council’s Engagement Team on 02 4993 4100 or email together@cessnock.nsw.gov.au by 5:00pm Friday 27 February 2026.

Stay Updated!

🔹 Subscribe to the project on this page to get updates!
🔹 Follow Cessnock City Council on social media for news and events

About the Project

Cessnock City Council is developing a Rural Lands Study & Strategy to guide the future use, management, and protection of rural lands within the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA). This study will ensure that planning policies reflect the needs of rural landowners, businesses, and the broader community while supporting sustainable agriculture, rural industries, and tourism.

The study will revisit and build upon the 2017 Rural Lands Study to better understand current land use, agricultural productivity, and the changing needs of rural industries. The outcomes of this project will help shape updates to the Cessnock Local Environmental Plan (CLEP 2011), the Cessnock Development Control Plan (CDCP 2010), and the Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS).

Why is this important?

Over two-thirds of the Cessnock LGA is rural land, supporting industries like agriculture, viticulture, tourism, and rural living. However, changing economic conditions, new technologies, environmental challenges, and urban growth pressures mean that we need to rethink how these areas are managed.

This study will help answer key questions, including:
✅ What role does agriculture play in the local, regional, and national economy?
✅ What are the emerging trends affecting rural land use?
✅ How can we support sustainable agriculture, agritourism, and rural businesses?
✅ How can we protect important landscapes, culturally significant lands, and scenic views?

How can I get involved?

There are multiple ways to have your say and contribute to the Rural Lands Study & Strategy:

💬 Take our online survey by clicking here (before 5 pm on Friday 30 May)
📍 Only have a few minutes? Click here to use our interactive map to highlight areas of interest
🗣️ Want to have a chat with the team? Book a meeting by clicking here
✉️ Ask us a question online → Q&A tool

Are you interested in becoming a part of our Cessnock Rural Lands Strategy?

We are seeking participants who are willing to share examples of operational processes used in their industry. To showcase the diversity of rural land uses across the Cessnock LGA, we plan to include a series of case studies in our Draft Rural Lands Strategy, reflecting the range of activities currently operating within our area.

We are inviting expression of interests from a wide range of agricultural industries, including but not limited to, dairy, beef, horticulture/protected cropping, viticulture, broadacre cropping and poultry (meat & eggs).

Participants would expect the following if selected to participate:

  • An onsite meeting with Council staff.
  • Photos associated with the operation (such as of stock, processing equipment and the like)
  • Establishment of a process map of the operation, including primary inputs, processes and exports associated with the enterprise.

Participants will have the opportunity to review and provide feedback on any material drafted or proposed for inclusion in the Strategy.

This process is entirely voluntary.

To express your interest in this opportunity, please contact Council’s Engagement Team on 02 4993 4100 or email together@cessnock.nsw.gov.au by 5:00pm Friday 27 February 2026.

Stay Updated!

🔹 Subscribe to the project on this page to get updates!
🔹 Follow Cessnock City Council on social media for news and events