The news that Cessnock has become a popular option for people choosing to move out of Sydney didn’t come as a surprise to mayor Bob Pynsent.
It was reported on Monday that Sydney’s housing affordability crisis is forcing hordes of essential services workers, such as nurses, police and teachers, to the Hunter.
According to the University of Sydney study, Cessnock was the closest place to the Sydney CBD that an enrolled nurse on $57,000 would be able to afford to buy a home (based on 2016 median prices).
Cr Pynsent says Cessnock is the perfect location for those considering making a change as the cost of living pressures in Sydney continue to mount and lock people out of the property market.
“The Cessnock local government area offers something unique and incomparable to our metropolitan counterparts,” he said.
“We are strategically located to Sydney and Newcastle, we offer affordable land and housing for growing business and residential demand.
“Importantly we have the propensity to absorb population and economic growth.
“It is not just the lifestyle benefits we offer but the opportunity we have for business.”
Cr Pynsent said Cessnock City Council is preparing to launch its Business Investment Attraction Program, which aims to highlight the “unlocked potential” of the Cessnock LGA for business.
“We take every opportunity to tell our story and on two occasions last year voiced Cessnock Council’s strategic positioning to Federal Government representatives and I look forward to putting our LGA at the top of the list for business and people looking to make a lifestyle change,” Cr Pynsent said.
Cr Pynsent applauded Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald, who called Cessnock the “first choice”.
“Mr MacDonald hit the nail on the head when he called Cessnock and surrounding areas the first choice, we look forward to what our future holds and are clearly open for business,” Cr Pynsent said.
Source: Krystal Sellars Cessnock Advertiser