Cessnock City Council is seeking community feedback on a draft flood study designed to guide future planning and development in Sawyers Gully.

The draft Sawyers Gully Urban Investigation Area Flood Study is now on public exhibition until Monday 10 August 2026.

The study will help identify and manage potential flood risks while informing a broader structure plan being developed for the area.

The Sawyers Gully Urban Investigation Area structure plan is a long-term strategic project aimed at creating a sustainable blueprint for growth.

It will consider residential needs, infrastructure and community services while balancing future development with environmental protection.

Consultants gathered data on local flooding patterns and the surrounding catchment to develop computational flood models as part of the study.

The models provide technical analysis to help council better understand flood risks and manage development in flood-prone areas.

The study area includes Sawyers Gully and is bordered by the Hunter Expressway to the west.

Several waterways run through the area, including Swamp Creek, Deep Creek, Black Waterhole Creek and a tributary of Bishop Creek.

Cessnock City Mayor Dan Watton encouraged local residents to review the study and provide feedback during the exhibition period.

“Council is working with the NSW Government and the local community to ensure the area is well equipped to manage development in flood-prone areas as effectively as possible,” he said.

“Building a complete picture of flood risk is a crucial part of planning for the future at Sawyers Gully.”

The study was supported by more than $78,000 from the NSW Government’s Floodplain Management grants program.

The final flood study is expected to be presented to council’s Floodplain Risk Management Committee in September.

A community information session will also be held at Abermain Plaza Hall from 4pm to 6pm on Monday 27 July.

The session will include a presentation on the study and an opportunity for residents to ask questions.

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