The gas main in parts of Maitland’s High Street is unable to meet supply and threatens to derail the vision of a foodie precinct.

“Maitland won’t go ahead without it [adequate gas],” property developer Carlo Rossi said.

The director of Grand Design Properties stumbled upon the issue in the development of the Riverview Apartments under way at 318 High Street.  When he called natural gas retailers AGL to make the connection he was told the High Street gas main was too small.

This prompted questions about his other project at 385 High Street, where Mr Rossi and a silent partner plan to build a six storey hotel above the old Pullins store.

Mr Rossi intended to fit out the hotel’s 1500 square metre ground floor with a restaurant that befits a 3.5 to 4 star hotel.

“AGL said they were thinking about updating the line in the future,” he said.

“How can you bring in a quality restaurant without gas?” 

The gas main was replaced through The Levee precinct last year as part of a utilities overhaul, but gas supply remains inadequate for high-demand uses.

The Mercury understands that gas distribution company Jemena had not intended to replace the gas main until Maitland City Council approached them.

“As part of The Levee development component one, Jemena has upgraded their existing gas line in High Street between Elgin and Bourke streets [shared traffic zone],” council civil ­engineering project manager Greg Blaze said. 

“Council understands that these works were brought forward in the Jemena plans to coincide with council’s construction in this zone.”

AGL declined to comment and deferred to Jemena.

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Jemena offered a glimmer of hope when it said it would work through the supply issue with Grand Design Properties. 

The gas supply might have to come up Bourke Street or Ken Tubman Drive to resolve the issue since The Levee precinct has been freshly paved.

“We are keen to find a ­solution to connect these two developments to gas; the developer should contact us directly so we can explore all the options available,” Jemena spokesperson woman Rebecca Harrison said.

Grand Design Properties has completed a redesign of the Riverview Apartments to use electric appliances instead of gas, based on advice from AGL.