3 minute read
Economy and growth
7.2.1 To ensure land and housing choice is consistent with forecast demographic demand
PUBLIC CONSULTED ON PLANNING PROPOSAL TO REZONE LAND ADJACENT TO MOUNT VINCENT ROAD
A Planning Proposal for Mount Vincent Road Proposed Urban Release Area has been publicly exhibited to rezone adjacent land to enable future residential and environmental uses. The proposal, supported by site specific studies, identified a need to provide a balance between proposed residential use and, due to site constraints, a mix of residential and environmental zones.
The purpose of the Planning Proposal is to amend the Maitland Local Environmental Plan 2011 (LEP) to identify the land as an urban release area and rezone approximately 21.3 hectares of RU2 Rural Landscape zoned lands to R1 General Residential zoned lands and E3 Environmental Management land. The Planning Proposal will facilitate the development of potentially 85 to 100 residential lots, subject to a development application assessment. The land is included in Maitland’s Urban Settlement Strategy and Local Strategic Planning Statement as land set aside for future residential investigation.
Following community input, the proposal has been provided to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for finalisation. Any future development will require a development application, along with assessment against the Maitland LEP 2011 and site-specific development controls.
Contributing to Council Objective 11.2.1 To encourage the integration of contemporary and interesting public artworks to enliven city spaces and create a vibrant public realm
PUBLIC ART ACTIVATES OUR SPACES
Vibrant new artworks through Drill Hall Lane, connecting High Street to the Riverside Walk in Central Maitland has brought a new look to this river link. Regional artist Alex Umpel installed the artwork on the road surface and nearby wall to activate the laneway and improve connectivity to the river.
Local artist and proud Gomeroi man Jakeob Watson, has also been busy painting murals across water tanks at Coronation Oval in Telarah and Bolwarra Sports Complex, adding colour and story throughout these spaces.
Contributing to Council Objective 13.1.1 To develop partnerships with local businesses, community groups, government agencies and other stakeholders that market Maitland to potential residents, investors and visitors
VISITOR ECONOMY FORUM A SUCCESS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
Over 100 local tourism business, events and industry leaders attended Council’s inaugural Visitor Economy Forum and Networking Lunch at Tocal College in May 2021. On average there are 800,000 visitors a year to Maitland who spend approximately $114 million in the local economy and support hundreds of businesses that benefit from the tourism economy, which includes local accommodation, attractions, restaurants and cafés.
The goal of the forum was to provide local visitor economy businesses the opportunity to learn, network and engage with fellow industry colleagues and professionals. The Forum attracted guest speakers from Australian Regional Tourism, Destination NSW, Destination Sydney Surrounds North, Tripadvisor, Newcastle Airport and Tocal Agricultural Centre - NSW Department of Primary Industries, with Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison and Mayor of Maitland Loretta Baker also attending.
DIGITAL ACCELERATOR PROGRAM WRAPPED UP
Council’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery initiated Digital Accelerator Program wrapped up in June 2021 after helping over a dozen local Maitland businesses transition from traditional in store retail operations to both in store and online ecommerce sales.
Contributing to Council Objective 14.1.2 To activate public places in Central Maitland through art, food, performance and other renewal activities
THE LEVEE WAS ALIVE WITH LIVING SCULPTURES
This autumn, The Levee saw a program of creativity, fun and art, and five temporary artworks installed along the Riverside Walk and The Levee Shared Zone. Living Sculptures is inspired by the shapes and colours of the natural world and explores our relationship with nature in an urban environment. Each piece was created by a different artist from Maitland and the surrounding region.
