Winter Momentum 2023

WHAT’S INSIDE

MAYOR AND GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGES

ENVIRONMENT

ROADS AND RECREATION

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE ENGAGEMENT SPACE

MAJOR PROJECTS

WHAT’S ON

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

We’ve had an exciting few months at Maitland City Council, with some big initiatives coming to fruition. I am particularly excited our new bulky waste service has commenced, with bookings now available for a kerbside collection, or 250kg waste vouchers for the Maitland Resource Recovery Facility available to redeem from 1 July. You’ll see a new look and feel to our website, with improved navigation and content to make things easier for you.

Everyone has been out and about, and it was great to see the thousands of people who attended and supported local businesses at our flagship events, Steamfest and Maitland Taste. Coffee and chocolate enthusiasts can mark Maitland Aroma in their calendars for August.

Importantly, I’d like to acknowledge General Manager David Evans’ 50 years of service at Council, including 25 years as General Manager. Retiring from Council in June, David has contributed significantly to the growth of this City, and I speak on behalf of many in thanking him for his long term commitment and contribution to Maitland.

Our new General Manager, Jeff Smith, will join us in July after an extensive recruitment process. Jeff has held senior local government roles at Port Stephens, Randwick City and Northern Beaches councils as part of an impressive 29 year career. I’m confident Jeff will be a great addition to our organisation as we continue to level up our delivery of quality services and infrastructure for our community.

Mayor Philip Penfold

GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE

It has been an honour and privilege to be General Manager of Maitland City Council for the past 25 years. My initial appointment to the role came at a time when the Council was under administration and facing the significant challenge of re-establishing its credibility and standing, and doing so through improving and expanding our services to the Maitland community.

As I look back, I am proud to have facilitated and supported what became respectful and productive partnerships between the elected councils and senior management teams I have led; partnerships which have delivered consistent and improved services under the pressures of growth, a revitalised city centre and lifestyle precinct, and a range of improved and new recreation, cultural and community assets, the most recent being our newly refurbished Town Hall complex and Maitland Administration Centre.

I am thankful for the support and latitude provided to me by the mayors and councillors I have worked with over my time as General Manager, and for the trust they have placed in me and in my approach to the role of General Manager. Above all, I thank the community of Maitland for working with us in pursuing the best outcomes for the City, and the many teams within Council whose commitment and effort to do the best they can for the City should never go unrecognised.

Maitland has a bright and prosperous future and I am grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in providing the foundations of that future.

Best wishes to all!

David Evans PSM

David Evans PSM

Jeff Smith CPA GAICD and Mayor Philip Penfold

Mayor Philip Penfold

ENVIRONMENT

OUR NEW BULKY WASTE SERVICE

We’re making things easy by providing new flexible and convenient options to dispose of your bulky household items responsibly.

Your bulky waste services are now digital – and each year, you can choose from two bookable kerbside collections, two 250kg waste vouchers or mix and match with one of each.

We’ll come and collect up to two cubic metres of waste from your kerb, including:

• General bulky waste such as furniture, BBQs and sporting equipment

• E-waste such as old TVs and laptops

• Up to two mattresses

• Bundled green waste. For more information on this new service and to book, head to mait.city/bulky-waste

ROADS AND RECREATION

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$ 18 million in road project value

SHARED PATHWAYS

The construction of 1.57km of shared pathways will be wrapping up in Bolwarra shortly. Funded by the Federal Government’s ‘Local Roads & Community Infrastructure Grant Program’, with two construction stages, the pathway will connect King and Victoria Streets.

LARGS SKATE PARK

ADD A DASH OF GREEN TO YOUR STREET

Until 30 June, you can apply to receive a free street tree in front of your property through our Community Street Tree Program.

After applying, a Council arborist will assess the suitability of your property, to ensure there’s no obstructions.

If your property is eligible, we’ll come back, plant a tree and then it’s over to you – the homeowner – to care for and water your tree while it settles into the soil and puts down roots.

To find out more and to apply before 30 June, visit mait.city/StreetTreeEOI

After two rounds of engagement, the community have selected the final design for Largs Skate Park. The community had two concepts to vote on based on the feedback from the first round of engagement. The winning concept features a pump track, half pipe, volcano, grind rails, shade shelters and more. At this stage, we are planning for the new skate park to be open by Christmas. The existing skate park will remain open during the construction period of the new skate park as it is on a different site. View the design by visiting mait.city/LargsSkatePark

New bulky waste service

Winning concept design for Largs Skate Park

reconstruction, rehabilitation, reseal and rejuvenation projects

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE ENGAGEMENT SPACE

WHAT ECONOMIC FUTURE DO YOU SEE FOR MAITLAND?

We are currently in phase two of engagement for our future Economic Development Strategy. This strategy will consider opportunities for our City’s economy now and into the future and outlines how these trends will impact and enhance Maitland. Take the personalised quiz that considers your preferences to see what economic future suits you.

CLOSING THE LOOP

MAKING A SPLASH WITH OUR FUTURE AQUATIC STRATEGY

We recently wrapped up a five month engagement period to help inform our future Aquatic Strategy. We want to thank everyone who came and spoke with us at pop ups, participated in focus groups and completed our survey. The data gathered from your feedback will influence how we draft our strategic direction for the provision, development and management of Maitland Aquatic facilities for the next 10 years.

We spoke with over 2,000 people

TOP THREE PRIORITIES:

Accessibility

Hydrotherapy and heated pools

Changerooms and toilets

DELIVERING FOR MAITLAND

The Operational Plan 2023-24, supported by the Long Term Financial Plan, delivers the objectives of the Delivery Program through listing actions Council will undertake over the course of the financial year, along with how these will be measured. Find out more by scanning the QR code below.

WHAT DOES THE 2023-24 BUDGET LOOK LIKE?

$172m annual budget

$29.2m Capital Works Program

101 projects programmed

254 actions programmed

MAJOR PROJECTS

WALKA WATER WORKS

Following the confirmation of $15.1 million in funding, we’ve revised the scope of Stage 1 works to include the partial restoration of the Pumphouse Building, including improvements to the ground floor, the Eastern Annexe and the adjacent lawn to reopen the popular venue for weddings, functions, and events. Also included in the revised scope is the proposed onsite accommodation area, consisting of 10-12 cabins and 40 powered sites for overnight tourism. Read more about the staged reopening of Walka Water Works by visiting mait.city/walkawaterworks

TOWN HALL REOPENS

Maitland Town Hall has officially reopened after undergoing a $10 million refurbishment as part of the Maitland Administration Centre construction project. Upgrades to this 133 year old building include modern safety handrails on the stairs, upgraded bathrooms, sensor activated lighting, and air conditioning. Many original features have also been preserved, including the ornate ceilings and wooden staircase. Town Hall meeting rooms are now available for hire, with the Auditorium and Evans Room set to open from 1 July. You can make a booking by contacting recreation@maitland.nsw.gov.au

GAOL TOWER EXPERIENCE

Work is officially underway on a brand new tour offering at Maitland Gaol, with construction crews now on site to open up access to two of the Gaol’s existing guard towers. The new tour program, called ‘The Tower Experience’ will give patrons a chance to tour the gantries for the first time and see what a day in the life of an officer was really like. We expect construction to wrap up in August, with bookings to open soon after.

Maitland Town Hall opening

An artistic render of what ‘The Tower Experience’ will look like

Walka Water Works

WHAT’S ON

MAITLAND AROMA COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL 12 AND 13 AUGUST 2023

Grab your cosiest hat, scarf and woolly jumper before heading to Maitland Aroma Coffee and Chocolate Festival this August.

What better way to ward off the winter chill than a weekend filled with freshly brewed coffee, rich hot chocolate and delightful dessert dishes?

Maitland Aroma Coffee and Chocolate Festival

Once again taking over the Riverside Car Park on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August, Aroma will feature a variety of demonstrations on the Flavour Stage, plus market stalls, live music, activities for the kids and more.

Find out more at maitlandaroma.com.au

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Make it Maitland these school holidays with events, activities and entertainment for the whole family.

Your local library will host author talks, book launches, illustration and writing workshops, live storytelling, and silent reading parties. At Maitland Regional Art Gallery, you can get crafty with a range of exciting activities, including cyanotype print and watercolour workshops. You’ll find music workshops and magicians at The Levee, while Maitland Gaol invites you to untangle puzzles and piece together paper models.

For more information about winter school holiday activities, head to mymaitland.com.au/school-

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

STREET EATS MAITLAND

Maitland Park Rotunda

10 June

UPRIVER DOWNRIVER EXHIBITION

Maitland Regional Art Gallery

10 June to 13 August

MATTRESS MUSTER

Maitland Showground

23 and 24 June

STREET EATS

RIVERLIGHTS

CHURCH

IF

*Vibrant City Sponsorship recipient

For more, visit mymaitland.com.au

holidays

Maitland City Council 263 High Street, Maitland NSW 2320 t 02 4934 9700

info@maitland.nsw.gov.au | maitland.nsw.gov.au