facebook.com/maitlandcitycouncil twitter.com/MaitlandCouncil WHAT’S INSIDE COUNCIL RELOCATES MAJOR PROJECTS UPDATE MAITLAND AQUATIC STRATEGY UPCOMING PLANTING DAYS WHAT’S ON AUTUMN 2023
MAYOR’S MESSAGE
Another spectacular summer is now in the rear view mirror, and I know that the people of Maitland were spoiled for choice when it came to things to do thanks to a bumper events calendar delivered by our events team right across the city.
Live music on the Hunter River was one of my summer highlights, but we’re far from finished on the events front in 2023.
There’s outdoor cinema returning to Maitland Gaol in March, Steamfest finally celebrating a belated 35th anniversary in April, Maitland Taste festival returning to The Levee in May, and so much more.
It’s been great to turn the first sod on some major projects across our city in recent weeks, namely a $26 million upgrade to the Thornton Road Network and a $7 million project to transform a Central Maitland playspace and reserve. More about those projects on the next page.
One of my favourite parts of the job is delivering recreational amenities to help the people of Maitland get out and play together, so it was great to be at Woodberry Skate Park over the weekend to open that amazing new facility formally.
With three more skate parks – Largs, Thornton, and Central Maitland – to be built in 2023, there’s plenty on offer for kids across Maitland. Who knows, maybe the next Aussie skater to light up the Olympics will be Maitland born and bred?
COUNCIL MOVES TO THE NEW MAITLAND ADMINISTRATION CENTRE
The Maitland Administration Centre is now open to the public and is your destination for any in person enquiries to Council. Located at 263 High Street, Maitland, the new building is across the road from the Maitland Regional Art Gallery and incorporates the 19th century Town Hall Café, accessible from the foyer of the Centre.
Our friendly Customer Experience Team are on hand from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm, to answer all your questions. Please remember that we are now cashless at the Maitland Administration Centre.
Maitland Administration Centre
We’re expecting Town Hall works to wrap up in the coming weeks and we’re looking forward to welcoming the public in for tours of the Centre and the Town Hall. Stay tuned for more information.
Mayor Philip Penfold
Mayor Philip Penfold
MAJOR PROJECTS UPDATE
MAJOR PROJECTS GETTING UNDERWAY IN MAITLAND HAROLD GREGSON RESERVE
In Central Maitland, work is underway on a $7 million project to transform Harold Gregson Reserve into a modern recreation destination set amongst nature. You can expect a new playspace and skate park, an events lawn and amphitheatre, picnic shelters, amenities, and more.
MAJOR PROJECTS ALMOST READY FOR YOU TO ENJOY
ROBINS OVAL GRANDSTAND AND AMENITIES
A new lease on life for one of Maitland’s oldest grandstands is the highlight of works at Robins Oval which are wrapping up soon.
Worth $1.7 million, the overhaul of the Mick Hinman Pavilion includes the reconstruction of the tiered seating, refurbishment of the changerooms below, and restoration of other grandstand elements.
The works also include a new canteen, amenities building, storage, drainage, and access roads.
MAITLAND RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY
We’re transforming the Waste Management Facility into the modern Maitland Resource Recovery Facility, with Stage 1A coming to an end and 1B starting soon.
The construction of sealed roads and drop off areas at the Community Recycling Centre is almost finished, with an extension to the current building and an expansion of accepted materials for recycling coming soon.
We’re also out to tender for Stage 2, which includes upgrades to the weighbridge and site entry.
Want to know what’s in store for the Maitland Resource Recovery Facility?
Scan the QR code to learn more.
A big focus is to improve environmental outcomes, including revegetation and legacy tree plantings to provide shade and reduce urban heat.
By mid 2023, we expect to complete Stage 4 of the Maitland Regional Sports Complex.
Want to learn more about the redevelopment of the Maitland Regional Sports Complex? Scan the QR code to head to our website.
RAYMOND TERRACE AND GOVERNMENT ROADS
Construction of $26 million worth of upgrades continues at the intersection of Raymond Terrace Road and Government Road in Thornton.
Upgrades will include a widening of Raymond Terrace Road to accommodate two lanes each way, traffic lights and turning lanes. This is a key intersection in the Thornton Road Network and will help ease congestion and improve travel times in the north of Thornton.
Work is expected to be complete by mid 2024.
Raymond Terrace Road and Government Road sod turning
Robins Oval Grandstand
ENGAGEMENT AQUATIC STRATEGY
We’re diving into the future of Maitland’s pools, and we need your input. Our upcoming Aquatic Strategy will inform the strategic direction for the next 10 years of aquatic facilities in Maitland. We want to ensure that our plan meets community needs, now and in the future. Take our survey before 12 May 2023, or come and chat with the Your Say team at a pop up event. Find out more at mait.city/aquatic-strategy
Do you want to be more involved in upcoming projects? Register your interest to attend a community focus group workshop by scanning the QR code.
CLOSING THE LOOP
z Woodberry Skate Park officially opened to the public on 4 March 2023. Early consultation with the community in March 2022 helped to inform the skate park design which features a skate bowl, a street section with various skate elements, an overhaul of the existing BMX pump track, and a multipurpose court.
z Community consultation for the new Thornton Skate Park is underway and our survey is open until 13 March 2023. Head to mait.city/ThorntonSkatePark to have your say. We also recently wrapped up consultation for the upcoming Largs Skate Park, so stay tuned to see the final design.
UPCOMING PLANTING DAYS
Want to see more trees planted in Maitland?
Join us at one of our upcoming community planting days. We’ll provide the tools, we just ask that you wear enclosed shoes, a hat, gloves, and plenty of sunscreen.
Telarah Lagoon
Sunday 26 March, 9.00am
McKeachies Drive and Gannet Street, Aberglasslyn
Sunday 2 April, 9.00am
Government Road and Somerset Drive, Thornton
Wednesday 12 April, 9.00am
Bolwarra Heights
Public Nature Reserve
Sunday 16 April, 9.00am
RECYCLESMART
86 Dunmore Road, Largs
Sunday 23 April, 9.00am
Adam Avenue, Weblands Reserve
Sunday 7 May, 9.00am
We have partnered with RecycleSmart for a free recycling home collection service. Learn what you can recycle and sign up to the program before the trial ends on 30 June 2023 by visiting recyclesmart.com
AUTUMN 2023
Recent Your Say pop up at Maitland Aquatic Centre
Woodberry Skate Park
AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Four local community members and a local community group were honoured during Council’s official Australia Day ceremony on 26 January 2023.
YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Emily Causley’s role as a student body leader at Maitland Christian School and her creative extracurricular activities have earned her two accolades: Young Citizen of the Year and Creative Arts Person of the Year.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Bolwarra Heights resident Todd Sheldon was named our 2022 Citizen of the Year. Todd has been instrumental in the ongoing success of the Susan Roskell Toy and Gift Drive.
To view the full list of winners, visit mait.city/ AusDayAwards2022
FREEMAN OF THE CITY
Lifelong East Maitland resident Norm Burton OAM was named Freeman of the City, recognising decades of service to the local community.
SEVEN LANEWAYS TRANSFORMED FROM DRAB TO FAB
From chic outdoor dining spaces to live performance stages and a lush urban jungle, Maitlanes is now in full swing.
Running until the end of April, we have transformed seven laneways across Central Maitland, which are playing host to a diverse entertainment program, from comedy nights and acoustic sessions to yoga, movie screenings and more.
It’s all part of a plan to encourage visitation to Central Maitland and boost our night time economy. Check out the full Maitlanes program at mait.city/maitlanes
Stillsbury Lane
Artist Patrick Hunter in Preschool Lane
Citizen of the Year, Todd Sheldon
Norm Burton OAM with Mayor Philip Penfold
WHAT’S ON BURTON AUTOMOTIVE HUNTER VALLEY STEAMFEST 2023
Calling all steam train enthusiasts. Hunter Valley Steamfest returns to Maitland on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April, to celebrate its belated 35th anniversary. Explore the impressive array of antique machinery and hop aboard one of the many journeys set to wind their way through the picturesque Hunter Valley, with trips to Branxton, Paterson and beyond.
To top off Steamfest’s celebrations, the Great Train Race on the Sunday will be a Quad Run show stopper as locomotives 3801, 6029, 5917 and R766 race towards Maitland with two Tiger Moth aeroplanes overhead.
Don’t miss out. Tickets are on sale now at steamfest.com.au
MAITLAND TASTE PROUDLY PRESENTED BY THE MUTUAL BANK
Enjoy a leisurely long weekend filled with delectable dishes, fresh produce and delicious wines when Maitland Taste returns to The Levee from 19 to 21 May.
Expect artisan market stalls selling some of the Hunter’s freshest and finest foods, cooking demonstrations that you can replicate at home, pop up eateries, live music, gardening talks and vibrant light installations.
For more information, head to maitlandtaste.com.au
WHAT’S COMING UP IN MAITLAND?
MATTRESS MUSTER
Maitland Showground, 10 and 11 March
LIVE AT THE LEVEE
Coffin Lane, 17 March
OUTDOOR CINEMA
Maitland Gaol, 18 March
STREET EATS METFORD
McLeod Avenue Park, 24 March
LET’S ROLLER SKATE
Maitland Regional Athletics Centre, 14 to 16 April
For more, visit mymaitland.com.au
Maitland City Council 263 High Street, Maitland NSW 2320 t 02 4934 9700 f 02 4933 3209
FALLING LEAVES AT THE LEVEE
The Levee Shared Zone, 16 April
STREET EATS RAWORTH
Bakers Brickyard Quarry, 28 April
STREET EATS RUTHERFORD
Norm Chapman Oval, 28 May
STREET EATS CHISHOLM
Whitewater Adventure Park, 30 June
MAITLAND AROMA COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
The Levee Central Maitland, 12 and 13 August
info@maitland.nsw.gov.au | maitland.nsw.gov.au
Disclaimer: This newsletter has been prepared by Maitland City Council from information available as at Friday 17 February 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information herein, however Maitland City Council accepts no responsibility for any consequences resulting from misdescription or inadvertent errors.
Cooking demonstration at Maitland Taste
Hunter Valley Steamfest
