The induction included a tour of the local government area with council staff.

Council’s general manager Stephen Glen said it was a good opportunity to further familiarise councillors with the infrastructure and services council provides the community.

“The tour gave our councillors the opportunity to visit some of our key facilities such as the Cessnock Depot, Cessnock Library and Branxton Pool,” Mr Glen said.

“Councillors were able to gain a holistic view of what we do here and ask our staff questions about each of these services.”

The tour included site visits to major infrastructure projects including Frame Drive Bridge, Abermain, Broke Road and Hermitage Road, Pokolbin.

Council staff briefed councillors on each project providing valuable background information and recent updates.

The itinerary also included visits to key local development areas such as the Hydro Aluminium site at Kurri Kurri and the new town of Huntlee, near Branxton.

The induction also consisted of a mock council meeting and presentations from the general manager, directors and managers.

Nine of the thirteen councillors are new to Cessnock City Council.

The first meeting of the new council will take place in the chambers on Wednesday, October 5 at 6.30pm.

The councillors are:

Mayor: Bob Pynsent

Ward A: Mark Lyons, Paul Dunn, Allan Stapleford

Ward B: Jay Suvaal, Di Fitzgibbon, Ian Olsen

Ward C: Melanie Dagg, Anne Sander, John Fagg

Ward D: Darrin Gray, Anthony Burke, Rod Doherty