General Manager Column - 28 August 2024
Published on 28 August 2024
The 2024 Local Government Elections are fast approaching with election day being held on Saturday 14 September 2024. You can vote in person at any polling place in your ward between 8am and 6pm on election day. To locate your nearest polling place, use the search tool on the homepage of the NSW Electoral Commission’s website https://elections.nsw.gov.au/.
If you’re unable to vote in person on election day, there are early voting options available at designated pre-poll locations. You may also apply for a postal vote if eligible, or use telephone voting if you are blind or have low vision. Remember, voting is compulsory for all citizens aged 18 and over.
In other news, we’re excited to announce the commencement of the Birralee Park Playspace Upgrade. This project will see safety surfacing and the removal of old play equipment, with new features set to be installed. During this period of works, the playground will be closed, and we anticipate it will reopen by late December 2024.
In the meantime, the nearby playground at Booth Park provides a fantastic alternative for families and children to enjoy while the upgrades are competed. We encourage you to explore the many other wonderful parks and playgrounds that we’re fortunate to have access to across the LGA, including the new Avery’s Lane Park which has officially opened! Located within Avery’s Rise, Heddon Greta, this new park is a great addition to our growing community. It features a range of exciting play elements, including an accessible spinner, a double bay swing, and a multiplay unit with a turbo slide and rope net. This new space offers a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to come together, and provides a place to create lasting memories. I’d particularly like to recognise the hardworking team members who worked on this project, which was also funded by developer contributions.
Additionally, the Cessnock Community Garden on Charlton Street has officially begun operations, thanks to the Cessnock Community Garden Association Inc. The not-for-profit group wants to transform the space into a thriving community garden that will offer members fresh, seasonal produce and a supportive environment for members to connect, learn, and grow their gardening skills. They’ve recently hosted a working bee and are in the process of forming a committee. If you’re interested in getting involved with the group, want more information and updates, or just want to check out some great pictures of progress at the site during their recent working bee, search for “Cessnock Community Garden” on Facebook to find their page.