Cessnock residents are set to take part in an innovative program that aims to strengthen social housing communities through targeted projects tailored to their needs.
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The Cessnock Place Plan is a community-led initiative to facilitate projects that will create a more connected environment with improved opportunities for education, training and employment.
Cessnock will receive $728,270 in NSW Government funding over three years to bring the projects to life.
The program will allow members of the local community to work with government and non-government agencies, not-for-profit organisations and local businesses to develop a plan to create positive change.
Initiatives under the Cessnock Place Plan include creating job opportunities for residents, enabling young people to become more involved with sport, improving local parks to increase usage of outdoor space, and intensive mentoring for Aboriginal young people.
Cessnock is one of seven new sites in NSW to be funded under the Place Plans program in 2018, in addition to nine existing sites.
“Each Place Plan draws on the strengths of the local community and I am pleased that our social housing residents in Cessnock will be able to now access support that can assist them fulfil their potential,” Minister for Social Housing Pru Goward said.
Family and Community Services Hunter/New England/Central Coast director of housing operations, Jeff Mills said the pilot program in Moree had delivered good results.
“There has been a lot of community engagement, and the communities own the results they get,” he said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald said the program would encourage Cessnock residents to draw on their own skills and knowledge to improve social cohesion in the community.
"These projects build strong and proud communities which help break the cycle of disadvantage," Mr MacDonald said.
"We know that members of the community are stronger when they work together towards a shared goal and I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this program will have on the Cessnock community for many years to come."
Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent said he is looking forward to seeing the positive impacts these projects will generate for local residents.
“I encourage community members to get involved in the consultation phase to help shape the future of their community,” he said.
Community consultation on the design and implementation of programs under the Place Plan will start soon.
