Listing Inspection

About Cessnock

Population: 48,502
Location: 40km west of Newcastle; 120km north of Sydney

Famous for its coal mining history, Cessnock LGA is also Australia's oldest wine region.

The area has large areas of state forest and grazing land, with a populace concentrated in a thin urban belt between the two major townships of Cessnock and Kurri Kurri. With approximately 4,500 acres under vine, the area's wine industry has also created a thriving and growing tourism industry. The vineyards of Pokolbin, Mount View and Allandale are complemented by fine restaurants, an extensive range of accommodation and galleries. Wine-related tourism has also created opportunities for other attractions - most notably Hunter Valley Gardens.

The Hunter Valley is a brilliant location just 2 hours north of Sydney and 30 minutes from Newcastle. It is an outstanding commercial and residential growth area, which manages to preserve unspoilt beauty and vast open spaces.

Whilst wine comes to mind when Cessnock is mentioned, that's about to change. The HEZ (Hunter Economic Zone) to the east of Cessnock at Kurri Kurri will be a major contributor to price and rental growth in the Cessnock local government area. Its located on the doorstep of Kurri Kurri and less than 20 minutes to the Cessnock town centre which boasts major retailers like Big W, Aldi, Target, Woolworths, Coles as well as a very healthy shopping strip in the main street. HEZ is a 10 to 15 year development with a finished value estimated at around 3.5 billion, which should generate around 1.1 billion annually in wages and salaries on completion. Before this occurs, its estimated it will generate up to 26,000 jobs directly and indirectly. The Hunter Region generates 32% of NSW exports and the site is one of the largest in the Asia Pacific at 3,200 Hectares with 900 developable Hectares or about the size of 53 Westfield Tuggerahs! HEZ will also benefit from the F3 link extension, being within 2kms of a planned access point. Another major driver for the Cessnock area and the Hunter as a whole will be the new town Huntlee (formally Sweetwater). Less than 5 minutes from Cessnock, an estimated $1.3 billion will be spent on the first new town in the Hunter in 50 years. Comprised of 864 developable hectares, with 160 of those being commercial, Huntlee will be the future home of 20,000 people. In the broader planning context Huntlee, will be recognized as an emerging growth centre for the Hunter region, playing a key role in delivering land supply to meet the State Government's predicted population growth. In addition to this, a new F3 freeway extension has been announced which will connect the New England Hwy at Branxton with the current F3 at Newcastle Link Road at Seahampton. This new extension will feature an entry/exit interchange at Kurri Kurri, cutting travel time into the Newcastle CBD drastically. Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and the surrounding areas stand to benefit greatly from all of the improved infrastructure and employment growth of the region.