NSW · Hunter · Local council, made simple
Cessnock City Council
A large, mostly rural Hunter Valley council west of Newcastle — around 69,000 people across the Coalfields towns of Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and Weston and the Hunter wine country around Pokolbin. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, libraries, parks, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2026–27 rate peg: 3.8%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyCessnock's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
2 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you, by ward — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Daniel Watton (Cessnock Independents)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 4993 4100
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~69,000 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Cessnock City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
IPART does not approve Cessnock's proposed special rate variation
IPART declined Cessnock City Council's application for a permanent special rate variation that would have raised its general income by a cumulative 39.9% in 2026–27. The council can instead increase general income by the standard 3.8% rate peg for 2026–27.
What this means for you: The large proposed rates increase will not go ahead for 2026–27; rates income is limited to the 3.8% peg. The council's financial-sustainability page below explains its position and next steps.
- Election
Jack Franklin elected Ward C councillor by countback
Following the resignation of Councillor Mark Mason, the NSW Electoral Commission conducted a countback of the 2024 Ward C ballots. Jack Franklin was declared elected on 1 May 2026 and took the oath of office on 20 May 2026.
What this means for you: Ward C has a new councillor without a fresh by-election; a countback re-examines the original 2024 votes. Cessnock's council makeup has now changed in two wards since 2024 (Ward A in July 2025, Ward C in May 2026).
Source: NSW Electoral Commission — Cessnock Ward C countback
- Waste
Food scraps now accepted in the weekly green (FOGO) bin
From 30 June 2025, Cessnock's weekly green-bin service accepts food organics as well as garden organics (FOGO). Households received a kitchen caddy and compostable liners to collect food scraps.
What this means for you: You can now put food scraps (cooked or raw) in your green bin with garden waste for weekly collection and composting, instead of landfill. Organics enquiries: 1800 870 250.
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