Election Advocacy Report
NSW State Election 2023
1 Election Advocacy Report - NSW State Election 2023
MESSAGE FROM OUR MAYOR
Set on the picturesque Hunter River, Maitland is known for its vibrant and bustling events calendar, renowned for its rich heritage and history, and central to everything that’s good about the Hunter.
We’re home to historic, heritage sites like the township of Morpeth and the infamous Maitland Gaol. We’re a hive of activity and development, built high enough above the floodplain which feeds our city to ensure the green heart of the city will continue to beat.
Outside of Sydney, Maitland is New South Wales’ fastest growing region.
Public and private investment is reshaping Maitland, creating economic opportunities across industries, and bolstering liveability in our city.
Maitland has been identified as a major regional growth corridor and we’re growing exponentially. By 2041, it’s expected that almost 150,000 people will call Maitland home.
Governments at both Federal and State levels recognise this and investment has flowed into our city with major road, recreational, and infrastructure projects bringing the city to life in recent years.
To continue growing as a vibrant and accessible place where we can live, work, play, and prosper, the NSW Government must develop policy in the best interests of the people of Maitland.
It’s crucial that NSW Government services meet the needs of our current and planned population, that funding shortfalls in transport infrastructure are recognised, and the value of key assets owned by the state is recognised and maximised.
This State Government election, we’re asking our State representatives in the seats of Maitland and Upper Hunter to make sure that Maitland gets its fair share, so our community can continue to grow, prosper, and contribute to the wider Hunter Region.
Maitland City Council 2
Councillor Philip Penfold Mayor of Maitland
OUR CITY PROFILE
11.6
35,227* 56.6%* 15.4%
OUR
5.4
5.4
6,973
OUR ENVIRONMENT
1,290 Recorded flora species 390 Recorded fauna species 132 Threatened species
LAND
USES
75% Rural 8% Environmental
20 Threatened ecological communities
OVER 240 Heritage items OVER
527 Recorded Aboriginal sites
7 Heritage conservation areas
12% Residential 2% Business
2% Recreation
1% Special use
3 Election Advocacy Report - NSW State Election 2023
OUR POPULATION 9.4% 7.5% 13.1% 89,746* 144,536 Population increase by 61% between now and 2041 2021 2041 86% $1,829 HOUSING TYPES HOUSING TENURE (2016) HOUSING 2021 35,413* 2041 60,613** +13,500 dwellings to be provided between now and 2041 Currently Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036 housing targets are 40% greenfield and 60% infill by 2036 (currently greenfield 94% and infill 6% in Maitland). Single detached dwellings 12.6% Medium density dwellings Median monthly mortgage payment $370PW Weekly rent $1,766 Median household income PW 2 Average number of motor vehicles per dwelling 2.7 People per dwelling 3.3 Average number of bedrooms per dwelling 29.8% Renting 39.1% Owned with a mortgage 2023 DEMOGRAPHICS Median age Families with children 36YRS 63.5% Families without children Population aged 65 and over 36.5% 15.6%
Strait Islander people Speak another language
at home Born overseas
OF JOBS
BILLION
Healthcare and social assistance 4,387 Retail trade
and
4,083 Construction
Of population identify as Aboriginal and Torres
other than English
NUMBER
11.6
6,973
3,657 Education
training
ECONOMY
BILLION
$AUD* $AUD
35,227* 56.6%* 15.4% Economic output Value addition Total jobs Live and work in Maitland 3.5% Unemploment rate 5,555* Registered business Have a bachelor’s degree or higher qualifications
OUR ENVIRONMENT
flora
fauna
Threatened
Threatened
USES 75% Rural 8% Environmental 12%
2% Business
1% Special use Industrial <0.5% OUR POPULATION 9.4% 7.5% 13.1% 89,746* 144,536 Population increase by 61% between now and 2041 2021 2041 86% $1,829 HOUSING TYPES HOUSING TENURE (2016) HOUSING 2021 35,413* 2041 60,613** +13,500 dwellings to be provided between now and 2041 Currently Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036 housing targets are 40% greenfield and 60% infill by 2036 (currently greenfield 94% and infill 6% in Maitland). Single detached dwellings 12.6% Medium density dwellings Median monthly mortgage payment $370PW Weekly rent $1,766 Median household income PW 2 Average number of motor vehicles per dwelling 2.7 People per dwelling 3.3 Average number of bedrooms per dwelling 29.8% Renting 39.1% Owned with a mortgage 2023 DEMOGRAPHICS Median age Families with children 36YRS 63.5% Families without children Population aged 65 and over 36.5% 15.6% Of population identify as Aboriginal and
1,290 Recorded
species 390 Recorded
species 132
species 20
ecological communities 7 Heritage conservation areas OVER 240 Heritage items OVER 527 Recorded Aboriginal sites LAND
Residential
2% Recreation
Torres Strait Islander people Speak another language other than English at home Born overseas NUMBER OF JOBS
BILLION
Healthcare and social assistance 4,387 Retail trade
Construction
3,657 Education and training 4,083
OUR ECONOMY
BILLION
Economic output Value addition Total
Live and work in Maitland
Unemploment rate
jobs
3.5%
bachelor’s
qualifications $AUD* $AUD
5,555* Registered business Have a
degree or higher
Industrial
<0.5% *Remplan - ABS 2021 Census **Draft Local Housing Strategy
ADVOCATING FOR MAITLAND’S FUTURE
Local councils can play an important role in representing the views of and advocating for their community, and it is vital that councils document key areas of focus in the lead up to an election.
Maitland City Council has a proud history of working with the State Government, and looks forward to maintaining a continued strong relationship to meet Maitland’s potential and position in New South Wales as a major regional growth corridor, with a projected population of over 144,500 by 2041.
Maitland City Council has identified five key funding and policy priorities ahead of the 2023 NSW State Government election.
These priorities are to:
1 2 3 4 5
Ensure NSW Government services meet the needs of our existing and growing population.
Address funding shortfalls for new local infrastructure and services to meet the needs of the growing young population.
Recognise the significance of key roads through transfer to State.
Maximise the value of State assets to the Maitland community.
Address the inherent challenges of a floodplain city in a changing climate through new infrastructure and community education.
Maitland City Council 4
OUR COMMUNITY PRIORITIES
ENSURE NSW GOVERNMENT SERVICES MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR EXISTING AND GROWING POPULATION
As Maitland continues to grow, it is vital that key services keep pace with the needs of our community. This includes:
y Ensuring adequate staffing and service levels at the new Maitland Hospital, including a reduction in emergency room wait times.
y Continued planning for East Maitland Catalyst Precinct in partnership with Council by leveraging health services, improving road access and recognising Council’s essential support infrastructure within the precinct.
y Place based transport planning to inform consideration of transport hubs, extension of services, station location and improved station infrastructure, such as car parking at Metford Station.
y Increased funding for the provision of primary and high school education, to support an additional 55,000 people over the next 18 years.
y Increased focus on policing and social support to address local safety issues, including funding for Neighbourhood Watch and place based partnership initiatives.
FUNDING SHORTFALLS FOR NEW INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES TO MEET NEEDS OF GROWING YOUNG POPULATION
y Recognition of the issues and continued provision of funding to address funding shortfalls consequent to the developer contributions cap in Chisholm/Thornton for roads, community buildings and open space.
y Advanced planning and works to address traffic issues in Chisholm and Thornton including the duplication of Thornton Rail Overpass upgrade and Weakleys Drive/Glenwood Drive Thornton in the short term, and an alternate route between Raymond Terrace Road and New England Highway in medium to long term.
y Continued works to ensure the New England Highway will have capacity for the Lochinvar growth corridor, which has been rapidly accelerated post COVID.
y Ensure rate peg methodology and the population factor keep pace with true growth and recognise the high cost impact of greenfield development on councils and ratepayers.
5 Election Advocacy Report - NSW State Election 2023
SIGNIFICANCE OF KEY ROADS RECOGNISED THROUGH TRANSFER TO STATE
y Transfer of identified regional roads into the State network as part of the Regional Roads Transfer and NSW Road Classification Review.
y Funding the upgrade of Mount Vincent Road/ Buchanan Road from the Hunter Expressway to New England Highway, regardless of classification.
INHERENT CHALLENGES OF A FLOODPLAIN CITY IN A CHANGING CLIMATE ARE ADDRESSED THROUGH NEW INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION
y Work with Cessnock and Maitland City Councils and developers to deliver flood free access to Gillieston Heights through construction of an alternative route to Testers Hollow.
y Plan and fund a flood evacuation route for Central Maitland and Lorn.
y Improve monitoring and maintenance of the Hunter River Flood Mitigation Scheme.
y Continued partnership in community education and response and recovery planning.
MAXIMISE THE VALUE OF STATE ASSETS TO THE MAITLAND COMMUNITY
y Unlocking the economic and social potential of the Old Maitland Hospital site, facilitated by an appropriate body such as the Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation.
y Continuing partnership to realise community and visitor economy potential of the key Crown assets of Walka Water Works and Maitland Gaol.
Maitland City Council 6
7 Election Advocacy Report - NSW State Election 2023
02 4934 9700 263 High Street, Maitland PO Box 220, Maitland NSW 2320
maitland.nsw.gov.au info@maitland.nsw.gov.au t