The draft Housing Strategy considers the unique housing needs and aspirations of the Cessnock community now and into the future. It explores expected population growth, the changing characteristics of the community and housing preferences.

The strategy makes a series of recommendations to help support the delivery of appropriate, affordable and diverse housing across Cessnock.

The draft Urban Growth Management Plan guides the release of land to support the future growth. It quantifies existing land supply and identifies areas for investigation that may be suitable for development in the future.

The plan is an action from council's Local Strategic Planning Statement that was adopted in June.

"Our area will continue to experience growth and we need to have a way to guide growth in a positive direction," Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent said.

"The secret is out about the great lifestyle enjoyed when you call our area home.

"As more people choose to live and work here we need to ensure infrastructure meets population needs, while maintaining the local amenity and liveability."

The documents are on public exhibition until Wednesday, December 9 at the Have Your Say section on council's website.