Recreational and business uses have been floated for the old East Maitland gasworks site.
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While the findings of an environmental report are not expected until the new council term, debate has sparked numerous suggestions for the site.
“We will be able to use it in the future but what we want to use it for will depend on how big a clean-up people are prepared for,” Maitland City Council development and environment manager David Simm said.
“For residential use it would require more of a clean-up than for use as recreational area.”
A question from the floor at Wednesday’s mayoral forum asked the candidates if the site might be suitable as a caravan park.
With tourism identified by the candidates as one of Maitland’s biggest opportunities and only 240 beds available in Maitland, the site was offered up as a potential solution by the audience member.
Mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore said there is a lot of interest in this site, “but I don’t think that it’s big enough for a caravan park.”
“There’s been interest from a nearby car yard that’s short on parking and there’s even been interest from a bowling club to put cabins there,” Cr Blackmore said.
Maitland MP and Environment Minister Robyn Parker committed $150,000 to a study of the site as one of her first acts in cabinet. The preliminary results of the study were brought back to council last month.
“The study told us what we already knew in terms of the pipes and materials on site,” Mr Simm said. “There were no hidden or additional sources of contamination, but I really haven’t assessed the cost of a clean-up.”
Mr Simm said he would have to analyse the preliminary report and liaise with the consultant before the final report is sent to the Office of Environment and Heritage.
“It will have to go to OEH before it comes back to the new council,” Mr Simm said. “We need to know what health risk it might pose to people or the environment, but there is no risk while it is locked up.”
Given a shortage of recreation areas, particularly in the city’s west, the site has often been the subject of sporting speculation.
“A sportsground is not out of the question, but it comes down to just what is the best bang for our buck,” Mr Simm said. “If a sports field is what we want to do, and it is in budget, then it could be done.”
