Cessnock Mayor’s Wollombi Road Plan Rejected, Tender Vote Looms in Secret Session
Cessnock Mayor Daneil Watton has faced another crushing defeat in the council chambers after his Mayoral Minute to halt the Wollombi Road upgrade was struck down in a fiery debate. The motion, which sparked controversy over its legality and potential financial fallout, was lost after Labor councillors and key swing vote Sarah Pascoe joined forces to block it.
The heated discussion pushed council’s 45-minute debate limit to the brink, leaving some councillors unable to speak or ask questions. Former Mayor Jay Suvaal slammed the proposal, calling it “unlawful” and warning of costly legal risks from tenders and developers tied to the Bellbird North Development, already ruled on by the Land and Environment Court. Suvaal also flagged the potential loss of grant funding under the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund, which could further blow out council costs.
With Orange Independent Councillor Harrington sitting out due to a conflict of interest—her business lies along the affected road—Mayor Watton’s plan was doomed. The vote ensures the Wollombi Road upgrade will go ahead, dealing another embarrassing blow to Watton’s leadership.
But the saga isn’t over yet. Later tonight, councillors will head behind closed doors to vote on the tender for the Wollombi Road project in a secret session, leaving the final outcome of the upgrade hanging in the balance. Will the council stick to their guns, or will the tender process spark another round of political fireworks?
