Regional Profile
Cessnock
Local Government Area
The Hunter Valley is a rich and diverse destination both for holidays and long-term residence. Cessnock City offers many advantages for businesses looking to establish or expand.
With large areas of national park, rich, ancient cultural history and a plethora of food, wine and outdoor experiences – The Hunter Valley and Cessnock LGA is a fantastic choice to visit or to provide your idyllic lifestyle.
The Hunter Region is Australia’s largest regional economy. At the heart of the Hunter Region is Cessnock City, land of opportunity.
*LGA, Local Government Area
Key facts about the Cessnock Region:
- Third fastest growing LGA in Regional NSW
- The region has an annual economic output of over $6.2 billion, with a Gross Regional Product of $3.2 billion annually
- Tourism contributes $501 million of economic output each year
- Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest employment sector in Cessnock
Hunter Valley Wine Country, in Cessnock City is the most visited wine region in NSW and the oldest surviving commercial wine region.
A range of business opportunities exist to leverage from the prominent visitor economy in the events, arts and culture, food, wine and beverage, and aviation areas.
There is a diversity of economic activities in Cessnock City including manufacturing, construction, accommodation, tourism, health care, residential care, training services, agri-business, resource recycling and food services. Cessnock City is home to specialist training in hospitality, viticulture, horticulture, heavy machinery operations and maintenance. There is also substantial growth in beverage manufacturing, and construction.
By 2041, Cessnock’s population will have grown to almost 98,000 people and another 10,000 homes will have been built in our towns and villages to accommodate the growth, making Cessnock the 3rd Fastest growing LGA in Regional NSW. Behind this growth is a liveable region renowned for its relaxed country lifestyle, excellent infrastructure, skilled labour and strategic location.
The Hunter Valley is also home to significant landmarks and lands important to the Aboriginal people of the region, in particular the Wonnarua (Wanaruah) people. This rich and ancient cultural history holds the potentional to work with Aboriginal peoples and organisations to support efforts to develop cultural experiences.
The Hunter Valley Destination Management Plan (DMP) outlines the vision, strategic framework and priorities that will guide a strong, sustainable, diverse, and resilient Hunter Valley visitor economy for years to come.
Cessnock City offers many advantages for businesses looking to establish or expand:
- Highly accessible – within two hours from Sydney and within 1 hour of Newcastle.
- Close proximity to expanding markets.
- Ready access to a major export port.
- Heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country.
- Attractive setting: quality scenic, rural and natural environments.
- Excellent range of services.
- Affordable lands, low cost business environment.
- High quality of life, affordable living, fast and easy commutes, growing population.
Destination Management Plan
The goal of the Hunter Valley DMP is to grow the Hunter Valley Visitor Economy from $641M in 2020 to $958M by 2030 (aligning with the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 targets).
This goal will be achieved by:
- Encouraging greater regional dispersal;
- Increasing visitor spend by 25%;
- Increasing the average length of stay from 2.55 days to the NSW average of 3.3 days;
- Increasing mid-week visitation by 20%;
- Increasing the number of available beds by 10%;
- Doubling the number of bookable experiences; and
- Doubling international visitation.
The Hunter Valley DMP is supported by the Situational Analysis document which contains detailed visitor data, visitor demographics and provides a background in understanding the area and factors that were considered during the preparation of the Hunter Valley DMP.
For greater insights, please download the Destination Management Plan part A and part B.
Or for specific data please visit our economic and tourism Data page, or request a more in-depth analysis.
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