The economic development and future prosperity of Kurri Kurri will be the subject of a roundtable I will host in December with Labor Shadow Minister Anthony Albanese.
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With responsibility for Labor policy on infrastructure, transport, regional development and tourism, Mr Albanese is a good ally for Kurri Kurri in this quest and will take an important seat at the table.
The idea for a roundtable came out of a meeting I had with representatives of the Kurri Kurri District Business Chamber of Commerce and the Business Enterprise Centre during my first weeks in office.
It is our goal to collect relevant stakeholders together to talk about the opportunities and challenges for Kurri Kurri in the months and years ahead.
There is no doubt the opening of the Hunter Expressway has been a boon to the town. Now we have to consider the condition of local roads on and off the expressway, parking and local traffic issues, and how the town can make up for the loss of those many construction workers now the project is complete.
Locals have told me that times have been tough since the Hydro aluminium smelter closed in 2012, shortly followed by the mining downturn, and that they are worried about how many shops stand empty.
They are worried too about youth unemployment, public transport, and the general appearance of the town.
There is some good news on the horizon, with the Hydro redevelopment proposal, the planned expansion of Weston Aluminium, and the proposed Pymore battery recycling facility.
Residential growth in surround areas continues, and the Richmond Vale Rail Trail is truly exciting.
Kurri Kurri is most definitely on the radar of local and state planners.
The NSW Government’s 20-year vision for the Hunter Region – the Hunter Regional Plan – includes plans to support growth in the Cessnock local government area, including Kurri Kurri, as one of its strategic centres. The plan aims to leverage proximity to the Hunter Expressway and significant industrial and residential land.
Cessnock City Council is partway through a Kurri Kurri District Draft Strategy that will include masterplans for both Kurri Kurri and Weston. It will guide future land use and look for opportunities to enhance commercial centres.
Residents were invited to take part in a survey as part of the council’s strategy, in which they were asked about preferences for housing, tourist and visitor-related development, retail businesses, major attractions, and the kinds of shops, businesses and jobs they thought were missing.
I’m hoping locals will also take up my offer to give me feedback on ways you think Kurri Kurri can be improved so I might bring them to the roundtable with Mr Albanese in December.
Please send your ideas to me before the end of the month to meryl.swanson.mp@aph.gov.au or 35 Sturgeon Street, Raymond Terrace NSW 2324.
