Incensed Cessnock residents are taking their frustrations, at council’s perilous financial state, to the streets in a bid to be heard “loud and clear”.
A community march is scheduled for Wednesday 18 February, with locals starting from Darwin Street (near TAFE) at 5.30pm and finishing at the Cessnock City Council car park.
It comes after the civic organisation, of one of the fastest-growing LGAs in NSW, applied to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a permanent one-year Special Variation (SV) of 39.95%, inclusive of the applicable peg.
An emergent population, as well as road repairs, were among the reasons for the projected hike.
But, the move has angered residents, who are likely to pay an extra $596 if IPART approves the controversial proposal.
They’re now demanding answers and accountability, believing council’s fiscal crisis stems from years of mismanagement at the executive level, resulting in a structural budget imbalance that cannot be resolved through short-term fixes.
“It’s just been going on for too long,” Cessnock business owner Jonathan Rigby said.
“Obviously, the rate rise – almost 40% – will hit us all at once, whether or not it goes through with IPART or it turns around and says council can have a smaller increase.
“However, we generally want to highlight the fact the people behind the scenes in council – the executive branch and those making decisions on budgetary allocations – not the councillors themselves, have essentially mismanaged all the funds.
“They’ve backed projects that shouldn’t have been funded over the backlog of historical repairs and street maintenance.
“I mean, the foundation of council is rates, roads and rubbish.
“So, prioritising a pretty little path that goes nowhere, or a new park, over those things makes no sense.
“Don’t forget, Cessnock City delivered $75.3 million in capital works in 2024-25 alone.
“While many of those projects are supported by grant funding for construction, ratepayers remain responsible for the long-term maintenance and operational costs — placing ongoing strain on a relatively small rate base.”
Mr Rigby admitted the suddenness of council’s dire economic position was one of the biggest concerns.
“It’s really weird,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“On one hand, Cessnock City was saying everything’s rosy and put in for an SV – I think two years ago – for only 0.1 or 0.2 of a percent.
“Then, all of a sudden, we’re getting slugged with a 40% rate rise.
“So, who didn’t cross their Ts or dot their Is in the two years previously.
“That’s why we’re trying to shine the spotlight on the fact that the executive branch has just mismanaged funds.
“We should be looking into that aspect, not penalising residents for their actions.
“Coming from a business background, you don’t say to your staff ‘we’re going to decrease your wages so we can make money’.
“You look at management to see if it’s top heavy.
“And, Cessnock City certainly is… it’s a 1-to-4 ratio, I believe.
“For every council worker on the road, there’s four people in the office.
“When you see that sort of fat at the top, along with their super guarantees and car allowances, it infuriates residents doing it tough.
“There are so many families and businesses struggling.
“It’s a lose-lose situation for everyone.
“For example, a café will have to put its costs up but the people who buy the coffee won’t have the money to purchase it.
“Already, there’s a huge number of shops closed in the main street… it’s like a ghost town.
“This extra financial burden won’t help that.”
Residents also argue the LGA simply does not have enough ratepayers to sustainably maintain the growing asset base being created.
“We understand the newly-elected councillors have inherited these longstanding financial pressures,” Mr Rigby said.
“But, we’re calling for full transparency around council’s monetary position; clear accountability from the executive team; a sustainable long-term financial recovery plan; and protection of households from unsustainable rate hikes.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to, and a I talk to the wider community quite a lot through my business, no-one’s happy… they’re irate.
“They are stressed about being caught right in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, too.
“Now, council wants 40% more from us.
“Quite simply, the majority can’t afford it.”
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