PRD Nationwide Hunter Valley principal Luke Anderson wants building heights lifted in Central Maitland

It’s the vision of PRD Nationwide Hunter Valley principal Luke Anderson, who wants to see building heights in the CBD increased.

While there are no height restrictions on buildings in Central Maitland apart from in a pocket of land bordered by Elgin, High and Church Streets, the Central Maitland Structure Plan says building heights in Central Maitland are “homogeneous” and described as low - medium.

“This is the legacy of the intact heritage building fabric which are between one and three storeys,” the plan states.

The height of buildings is determined by factors such as heritage features of the site and area, potential flooding issues and general amenity impacts.

But PRD Nationwide Hunter Valley principal Luke Anderson said current building heights were holding back Central Maitland’s potential.

“It’s great for heritage,” he said. “But I think it’s very backwards.”

Maitland Council development environment manager David Simm said council was working towards having another 3,700 citizens in Central Maitland.

Mr Anderson said higher buildings would be the perfect way to draw people into the city.

“Council are desperate to increase the population in Central Maitland, but they’re trying to do it with their hands tied behind their backs,” he said.

Mr Anderson said in buildings of three storeys, it was not viable to install a lift due the financial impact it would have on strata and maintenance fees, whereas in a taller building it would be more feasible.

“The infrastructure to install a lift is expensive. But in a six-storey building it becomes affordable because of the economy of scale,” he said.

“A lift would attract retirees and the sorts of people who want to live in town.

“[If building heights were increased] more people would be spending money in the CBD. It creates a lifestyle we don’t currently have.”