The draft plan will go on public exhibition from today after councillors unanimously supported it at last Wednesday night's meeting.

The Cessnock 2020 Community Plan was part of a program mandated by the NSW Department of Local Government to make councils think more strategically and plan for the future in consultation with the community and all levels of government.

Community and stakeholder workshops were held in the Cessnock local government area between March and May this year.

A telephone hotline and online survey were also used to gather information, as were strategies such as council’s Social and Cultural Plan, Recreation and Open Space Plan and the City Wide Settlement Strategy.

Cr. Graham Smith said he was delighted to support the public exhibition of the draft plan, commending the staff and the consultants on the quality of their work.

I expect further progress with the plan, and things identified in it will give us some weight to base other plans on. The ability to think strategically and make economies is what this council should be doing. I think this plan allows us to do that, rather than think less strategically which will cost more money in long run,” Cr. Smith said.

The draft plan is on public exhibition until September 1 and the community is encouraged to make submissions.