The towering chimney of Walka Water Works has become synonymous with the city of Maitland.
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It was built in 1879 as part of the first safe water supply scheme for the Hunter and was a NSW government project. The architecturally designed structure with an ornate brickwork pumphouse quickly became an iconic site, even after it first stopped operating in 1929.
It has had many uses including as a power station and later a miniature rail museum, but now sits almost abandoned with little purpose. The community loves the site, as residents walk, run, bird watch and picnic on the grounds. The actual building is considered to be beautiful by many, but there has always been one hitch – how best to utilise this site and bring money into the government’s coffers at the same time.
Maitland City Council’s Cr Loretta Baker wants to see the building redeveloped into a day spa – a business that would attract high-end clientele to the city to spend their money in local shops and restaurants.
Mercury readers have called for the site to have more of a community focus, with artisan markets, a museum, or even a boat house with row boats for hire.
Whether it has a commercial or community future, this site needs to have a future in Maitland. Council unanimously approved a master plan for the 64 hectare site at a meeting this week. Now it is time for the community to have its say.
What would you like to see happen with the site? The Maitland Mercury wants to hear your ideas. Email your suggestions to lowerhunter@fairfaxmedia.com.au
All suggestions will be compiled, published online and presented to Maitland City Council.
When the Morpeth pumpkin farmers were struggling to make ends meet it was the Maitland community that helped them. Residents cried out for a local fresh produce market and now they have become a monthly occurrence.
As stage two of The Levee project to revamp the centre of town begins, there continues to be outcry from the community about a lack of foresight with little input from residents. Here council is offering an opportunity to be part of the conversation of a city icon from the beginning – now will residents take the opportunity?
It is time for the people to take on another campaign for the betterment of the city and reinvent a place which has had a long and important history in Maitland.
