Economy and growth

LONG TERM LAND USE STRATEGY TO GUIDE CITY GROWTH

Contributing to Council Objective 1.5.1 To work with the community and key stakeholders to identify and communicate our city’s future growth opportunities and challenges

Council has adopted a long term land use strategy, the Local Strategic

Planning Statement (LSPS), to set out a 20 year vision for land use planning in Maitland. The LSPS explains how Council intends to manage population growth while respecting the existing character of the city’s suburbs and community values. It considers what land types the community will need for the future in terms of housing, employment, community facilities, transport and the environment as well as how Council will address global trends like climate change and advances in technology.

The LSPS explains how state and regional plans, such as the Hunter Regional

Plan 2036 and the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036, will be implemented in Maitland. It also identifies the challenges that the local area will face over the next 20 years and how existing controls in the Maitland Local Environmental Plan 2011 and Maitland Development Control Plan 2011 may need to change to meet the community’s needs - now and in the future.

PLAN TO ATTRACT VISITORS TO MAITLAND

Contributing to Council Objective 13.4.1 To maintain and strengthen Maitland as an integral part of the Hunter Region visitor economy

Council has adopted a Destination Management Plan (DMP) to create a collaborative roadmap for building and managing Maitland’s visitor economy. The plan is based on consultation with the community, tourism operators, local businesses and the broader industry, reflecting over 1,100 ideas on the opportunities and challenges. Feedback identified that the key themes are river activation, arts, heritage and culture, sports and recreation, concerts and events, farmland and nature, connectivity between attractions and accommodation alternatives. Destination hubs were identified as Morpeth, Central Maitland, Maitland Gaol, Walka Water Works and Tocal. The four key focus areas over the next ten years include product development, industry development, marketing and visitor servicing.

PLANS TO GUIDE FUTURE USE OF MAITLAND GAOL

Contributing to Council Objective 6.2.1 To promote and support the adaptive reuse of Maitland Gaol

As one of NSW’s premier heritage listed sites, Maitland Gaol attracts visitors from across Australia to learn about the 150 years of inmate history in the longest continuously operating correctional institution within Australia. To maintain the site’s significant heritage and cultural value, Council has adopted a Development Plan and associated Site Master Plan to guide its future development and management. The Plans set the vision for maximising current site capabilities, enhancing access, consolidating services, enhancing events capability and enhancing heritage value.

PROSPECTUS TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT IN CENTRAL MAITLAND

Contributing to Council Objective 13.2.1 To highlight the benefits of our geographic location and services in local economic development efforts

A prospectus for Central Maitland and The Levee was launched in June. The prospectus has been designed to inspire interest and attract investment based on the preferences of the community for commercial activities within Central Maitland. This includes more hybrid shops and diverse food and beverage offerings.

LEVEE ACTIVITIES SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES

Contributing to Council Objective 14.2.1 To continue the establishment of The Levee as a lifestyle precinct

The Levee Marketing and Activation Program supported local business during COVID-19 restrictions through the

‘We’re Still Open’ campaign, where local retailers provided short videos advising of trading hours and products; and a series of podcasts where the ‘I got it from my mumma’ and the ‘Steph De Sousa’s Last Supper’ podcast series featured two local businesses on each podcast. In June, over 50 businesses within The Levee participated in The Levee One Day Sale.