Developed by the chamber in partnership with Cessnock City Council the plan will drive the chamber’s activities over the next three years.

The project started with a planning meeting held at council on May 12 when the Sustainable Cessnock Sub Committee of local business people, council staff and chamber executives was formed.

The Sustainable Cessnock Sub Committee will guide the implementation of actions from the plan with help from the chamber, council, funding partners and the newly employed Main Street Coordinator.

The Sustainable Cessnock Committee hosted an Economic Development Forum on June 10 at the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre. With more than 50 local business people in attendance, the forum was a great success. Discussing the four key themes of Tourism, Marketing, Business Development and Infrastructure, the forum participants came up with over 60 actions for inclusion in the plan.

The Sustainable Cessnock Sub Committee met recently and chose the list of actions that will form their agenda for the next 12 months.

The actions will centre around developing communication tools, putting together a business directory for the Cessnock business community, investigating the area’s unique marketing position and implementing an appropriate marketing strategy, developing a unique festival and/or event, working on projects in the main street and looking at the feasibility of a Heritage Mining Museum in town.

The Vision for the Project is “Better Business Experiences for our Visitors and Ourselves”.

Meanwhile, Shop Local Cessnock Wine Country Flags are being provided free of charge, with two flags being supplied with the receipt issued for payment of membership for the 2009-2010 financial year.

Membership forms can be returned to Cessnock Achievement Centre, 37 Vincent Street, in an envelope without a stamp by putting it under the door when door is locked (premises are attended between 3pm and 5pm daily, Monday to Thursday) or by posting to Treasurer, Cessnock Wine Country Chamber of Commerce (CWCCC), PO Box 329, Cessnock. 2325.