The community of Cessnock has recently seen the closure of many businesses in the CBD and now we are to lose a vital community space which is free and very accessible to all. In this difficult time of drought and fire the community needs a friendly, open place to gather and meet. A gallery is good for public morale and something for the people of Cessnock to be proud of.

Cessnock has recently been voted in the top 10 destinations in Australia on TripAdvisor and the gallery was a contributing factor in this determination.

Finally, as a core responsibility of council is to provide services and facilities for the community, myself and many other residents would highly regard council commitment to seek and secure funds to re-establish this vital community asset.

The total debacle that has finally been completed in Cooper Street is of no benefit to the people of Cessnock. It is even worse for the businesses around that intersection - who must suffer decline in business.

Traffic - already congested in that part of town has simply been made worse. What does it say for the council officers who oversaw this "grand plan" or the councillors who approved it?

A fraction of that expenditure could have rebuilt the potholed carparks to the north of that intersection. You come off pavers onto potholes still.

How many town planners does council have? If they collectively or individually cannot devise plans for the future for Cessnock CBD, then they must be replaced.