Walka Water Works was once touted as a potential crocodile sanctuary and the possible home for a chocolate factory in Maitland.
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But after the many ideas that have failed to take shape over the years, Maitland City Council now plans to turn the site into an education and tourist hub that celebrates the property’s ecology and historical contribution to the region.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, councillors voted to put the Walka Water Works Interpretation Master Plan on public exhibition for the next month.
Council has received a $40,000 grant from the state government to implement the first stage of the plan, which will focus on developing educational attractions at the site for school groups and visitors.
The attractions will focus on the natural ecology of the water works site and the impact of human development on flora and fauna.
Cr Ben Whiting, who is part of council’s management committee for the site, said Walka Water Works had a special place in the Maitland community.
“It’s a unique location that provides many unique opportunities for the people of Maitland to enjoy as a recreational space,” he said.
Other ideas to make the property more attractive include a central reception hub at the car park, a sunset multimedia production, trail information displays, an audio tour for the mini railway and the potential for guided tours of the historic property.
Attractions to be rolled out in the coming years would relate to one of three themes: Water Works, Ecology, and People In Landscape.
The master plan is the latest in a long-running public debate about how to increase use of the site.
Past ideas that were tabled to attract tourists to the water works have included a crocodile farm and a chocolate factory, but these never eventuated.
While the water works property is owned by the state government, council pays substantial maintenance costs each year.
Community and recreation manager Lynn Morton said the property had amazing ecological diversity and would be a great educational resource.
“There are a number of user groups that regularly benefit from the site’s facilities, including bird watching groups, recreational users and for events such as Maitland Park Run,” she said.
“As part of the master plan, council will also look to establish on-site and online resources based on the national school curriculum to encourage local and regional schools to visit the site.”
Visit maitland.nsw.gov.au/CouncilInformation/DocsonExhibition to view the master plan while it is on public exhibition for the next four weeks.
