Cessnock City has a diversity of manufacturing businesses, ranging from the traditional metal-based manufacturing and fabrication, to wine making, through to speciality food manufacturing and hand-crafted boutique products.
Mainstream manufacturing is concentrated in the Kurri Kurri – Weston industrial area, with opportunities for light, general and heavy industries across several estate options. The Hunter Employment Zone is one of the few areas available in the Hunter Region that can offer large sites (up to 100 hectares) for general and heavy industries, while the Hunter Industrial Ecology Park has a cluster of waste management and recycling industries. For investors, there is demand for contemporary factory units with land available for this type of development.
Wine making, food-based and boutique manufacturing are important contributors to the tourism industry. These activities are concentrated in Hunter Valley Wine Country and the rural areas of the City and include wineries, distilleries, micro-breweries, chocolate and confectionary producers, specialist bakers, cheese and dairy products, olive-based food and skin care products, silversmiths and jewellery makers, glass blowers and leadlight producers, hand crafted furniture-makers and stone masons, and other artisans.
Opportunities for growth in manufacturing in Cessnock City include:
Mainstream:
- Large scale, high technology / advanced manufacturing plants
- Metal-based industries – engineering, extrusion, fabrication and forging
- Waste and resource management, recycling and renewable industries
- Manufacturing to support the construction sector – kitchens, joinery, pre-cast concrete, window fabrication etc.
- Light industries to support the growing population base – automotive, home improvement, landscape supplies, rural supplies
- Research and development facilities
- Construction and leasing of factory and commercial units
Boutique:
- Speciality food and beverage manufacturing and packaging of local food products
- Artisan products
- Creative industries
