The man once known as Mr Walka has been sitting on the sidelines listening to recent debate about what Maitland City Council should do with the historic establishment. His answer: “Leave it alone.”

Mr Fairweather has heard a whole range of suggestions for the use of the site, everything from a crocodile farm and to water park.

He is disappointed the site has been neglected and said it needs continual maintenance, a full time caretaker and some widespread marketing.

“Council has carried out study after study about how the site should be used and we kept getting these grandiose schemes thrown up that were going to cost millions,” he said.

“I envisaged something like the gardens at Darling Harbour. We need to be sympathetic to what is out there, retain its beauty and promote it for its flora and fauna,” Mr Fairweather said.

Maitland council last week announced it would put on display a draft management plan for the site. Cr Loretta Baker suggested a day spa and wellness centre. The subject has sparked much debate online.

He said one of the more suitable suggestions for the 64 hectare site was the development of an eco tourism park.

“We did at one point have education trails and school children were visiting but I don’t know what has become of that. The paths need repairing,” he said.

“The dam has been stocked with thousands of bass fingerlings and they would certainly be mature by now.”

At one stage there were sites for about 12 caravans established on the estate but that too has fallen by the wayside, Mr Fairweather said.

“We planted quite a few eucalypt trees with the view of protecting injured koalas but again nothing came of that,” he. “I’m disappointed there is no full time caretaker. There is so much that can be done at Walka and it has gone begging.”

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