Floods Delay Major Bridge Project Near Maitland

 BY IAN CROUCH

The devastating May floods have caused construction on a major infrastructure project near Maitland to be delayed.

Construction began on the new dual lane concrete Melville Bridge over the Hunter River in September 2024.

The $8.2 million project jointly funding by Maitland Council and the state and federal governments is replacing the old single lane timber bridge which frequently went under water during flood events.

In a cruel irony, the partially constructed bridge, which is designed to be much higher than the previous one, sustained damage during the May flood, with erosion, displacement of the bridge deck beams and flood debris impacting the site.

Council says it means completion of the bridge will be delayed for at least four months, with no clear timeline yet on a completion date.

An artist's impression of the new Melville Bridge

 

The old Melville Ford Timber Bridge

Melville Ford Bridge Upgrades

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

Construction has begun on the new Melville Ford Bridge near Maitland.

The upgraded bridge will stand seven meters taller than the existing bridge, and will be built with concrete rather than timber.

Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold says the 8.2 million dollar project will enhance access during flooding and will have no weight restrictions.

"Those who cross that bridge know that even a small flooding event will cause it to be closed for many days if not weeks, so this will make a great improvement." 

He also says Maitland residents will benefit from more upgrades in the future.

"It is important as Maitland grows that we keep on top of all these issues."

"It it is a rapidly growing place, but I'm committed to keeping on top of such things, and making sure that roads and traffic flow are the priority." 

Works are set to be completed by mid 2025.

Image credit: Maitland City Council

Windella community members oppose planned home-estate

 BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

Members of the Windella Residents Community Group are concerned a manufactured home-estate planned for Windella violates planning laws.

Group leader Warren Baldacchino, argues the planned 282 home-estate will be too close to Maitland airport, and is concerned the airport could seek to develop the nearby land later on.

Mr Baldacchino also flagged the potential traffic increases, saying the additional units will bring 400 people to Windella, and will double the number of cars on the road.

Chris Speek from developer Mavid Group, says plans submitted to Maitland City Council are generally compliant with relevant laws. 

He also argues the group have considered the existing neighboring properties and airport when designing the estate.

Maitland City Council has called for public comment on the plan, and will accept submissions until March 4.

Maitland Council Appeals To Host British Royals in 2024

BY DANEIE GEDDES

Maitland City Council has expressed interest to be included on the map for the British royals' much anticipated visit to Australia in 2024.   

It would be their first visit to the Hunter region with King Charles III as monarch and would mark 40 years since the city welcomed King Charles and Princess Diana back in 1983.  

On Tuesday the 22nd of August, Maitland City Council is putting a motion forward to gather support to write to the Governor and the government to express their interest in being considered on the itinerary. 

Councillor at Maitland City Council, Sally Halliday says backing for regional communities like the Hunter holds equal significance to supporting our major cities. 

"I think it's really important that the royals don't just come to Sydney but they actually visit the region because we are a growing area and I think its a wonderful opportunity for people to see the royals," she said. 

Details, including which members of the Royal Family will be included in the visit are yet to be released but it is understood either King Charles III and the Queen, or Prince William and Princess Kate will be named.

Potential options for the royal visit to Maitland in 2024 could possibly include a civic reception at Town Hall and tree planting at the recently named Queen Elizabeth II Park. 

Sally Halliday says planning is still underway but she hopes to see Maitland on the map for the 2024 Australian Royal Tour. 

"I'm hoping they will come to a regional area and support the country as well as the city," she said.

 

Environmental Vandalism At Aberglasslyn Costs Ratepayers $10,000

 BY IAN CROUCH

Maitland Council has taken action to restore and clean up a bushland area at Aberglasslyn which has been the subject of vandalism.

Council officers discovered a number of felled trees and ringbarked trees as well as constructed trails, jumps, structures and rubbish on land adjacent to Weblands Street.

Council says the broken stumps, loose sheet metal structures and constructed obstacles posed a significant danger to the community, while clearing of the rare Lower Hunter Spotted Gum Ironbark Forest puts the trees at risk of extinction.

Council says the estimated cost to ratepayers of the clean-up was $10,000.

 

Maitland Council acts of vandalism at Aberglasslyn. Picture: Maitland City Coucnil

Maitland Council Proposes New Plan to Solve City Centre Parking Dilemma

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Maitland Council has put forward a new plan to tackle parking issues in the city centre, allowing workers to use off-street parking and saving popular spots for short-term visitors.

The report comes following a survey in which respondents complained works in the Levee redevelopment had led to a loss of spaces and that parking restrictions were not strongly enforced.

The Central Maitland Parking Study Draft Report was released on Thursday, encouraging council to emphasise short-term parking spaces to increase visitor turnover in the city.

The plan also suggested reducing the amount of paid parking while keeping fees at the same rate, as well as forcing new developments to provide adequate parking for their own demand.

The public have until the 11th of April to add their thoughts at https://www.maitland.nsw.gov.au/maitland-your-say/engagements/central-maitland-parking-study.

Image credit: Maitland City Council

Maitland Councillors Kept Accountable For Online Content, Member Comes Forward As Website Owner

BY TAHLIA HALE.

Maitland Council has passed a motion to ensure Councillors are kept accountable for the content they post online.

Councillor Ben Mitchell called for the motion to be passed, after he saw a rise in unofficial 'news' websites, some of which posted content criticizing fellow Maitland Council members, following the shutdown of a number of local news outlets.

"There's no names, there's no editors, there's no contact details on the sites. There's no accountability for the content on the sites at all," Cr. Mitchell said.

Cr. Mitchell suspected some of these "news" websites were operated by Council members anonymously.

"[These sites are posting] Selective facts, false information, virtually just propaganda to further Councillors political means. I'm trying to shed a light on who's actually behind it," Councillor Ben Mitchell said.

"They would say things they wouldn't necessarily say to someones face. In recent times I've seen the Mayor referred to as an 'out of touch b**ch', for instance, and that's just not on."

The new policy is designed to stop Councillors from posting anonymously with no accountability.

Councillor Mitchell's motion was voted in favor, "Unanimously, bar two Councillors," at Maitland Council's Tuesday meeting.

Councillors Mitchell Griffin and Sally Halliday tried to challenge the legality of motion, though Council's legal council advised the motion was legally possible.

The policy addition won't change the way Councillors post content online, however requires they disclose the websites they administer on a public register.

The new policy is already seeing results with some Councillors who supported the motion declaring for the first time they do run websites.

"That in itself means the intended impact of this motion has come partly to fruition already," Cr. Mitchell said. 

Maitland Councillor Ben Mitchell
Image Credit: Maitland City Council 

Council to Vote on Plan to Revitalise Maitland Gaol

BY ISABEL EVERETT

One of the Hunter's Heritage listed sites is set to get a major re-vamp, with Maitland council tonight voting whether to put plans for the revitalization of Maitland Gaol on public exhibition.

The plan flags creating 4-star boutique accommodation in the former Governer and Governer General's quarters, as well as improving public access, upgrading the sites auditorium, and hosting more food and wine festivals.

The gaol already hosts the Boutique Beer Festival, "Bitter and Twisted", and has been operating as a tourist destination for the past 20 years.

Maitland Gaol manager, Gordon Sauber, says like any tourist facility it needs refreshing.

"Over those 20 years visitation has peaked and we needed to come up with some new ideas for what might or might not be possible on the site, and give the site a true business footing."

"We need to enhance those activities on the site, one of the development plan proposals is a tower experience, which we regularly get people asking if they can go up to towers, this will give them the opportunities to do that and see the views."

If agreed to by Council tonight, the draft Maitland Gaol Development Plan will go on Public Exhibition tomorrow for the next 28 days, with the public invited to provide comments on the plan.

Mr Sauber says the development works would create jobs in construction.

"After that there would be a large number of jobs created from the new activities".

Hunter Councils Introduce New Measures to Save Businesses and Residents During Pandemic

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A number of Hunter Councils have introduced new measures at Tuesday night's council meeting's aiming to provide further support to businesses and residents. 

Lake Macquarie Council is set to introduce support measures including; 

• A scaled commercial rent relief program that reduces or waives up to 100% of rent owed to Council by eligible business for a period of up-to six months.
• A rent relief program for Council’s residential tenants that provides a 50% waiver on rent for tenants significantly impacted by the COVID-19 emergency for a period of up-to six months.
• Financial Hardship Assistance measures for residents and businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 emergency, including waiving of interest on overdue rates and flexible payment plans.
• Updates to Council’s Financial Hardship Assistance Policy to include businesses and landlords, and the waiving of credit card surcharges while Council’s Administration Building is closed.
• The waiving of lease fees for community organisations that lease Council-owned land/and or buildings for a period of six months.
•  A program to enable Council staff to assist community-based organisations, to help deliver critical community services.

“There has been a lot of hard work that has gone in to developing these measures and it’s wonderful that we can now begin to put them in place,” said Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser.

“We also know that our local businesses will be hit particularly hard. We have more than 13,000 businesses operating in our City, 98% of which are small businesses. They are feeling the impacts and there is no short-term fix for the current crisis, so that’s why the relief package will be in place for up to six months.”

The majority of the measures will be made available immediately, with the exception of the proposed rent relief package for Council’s commercial and residential tenants which is required to be exhibited for 28 days and once it has been endorsed by Council it will be backdated to the 1st of April 2020.

Maitland Council is also expanding their hardship provisions, suspending interest payments and debt collections.   

The Council will use similar criteria to the Federal Governments 'Job Keeper' program to determine who is eligible for payment plans to be set up on council payments.

Maitland Council is also working to relieve the rate burden on businesses, by removing the second tier of the CBD marketing and promotional rate that applies to all businesses fronting the levy. 

The Council also discussed introducing additional community grants, and plans to get the community back up and running again when the pandemic is over. 

"There'll be a time when communities need to come together again and reconnect, so we've been looking at things we can do to support business recovery through marketing and promotional efforts," Maitland Council General Manager, David Evans said.

"When the time is right for business to re-open,  we've been planning how we'll bring people back into Maitland, particularly Maitland CBD."

                                      Image Credit: Lakes Mail

Farley Residents Say No To Proposed Crematorium

BY IAN CROUCH

Farley residents are calling on Maitland Council to reject plans for a proposed crematorium in the rural village.

The development has been on the drawing board since April last year, but many residents only first became aware of it when a story was published in the Maitland Mercury on January 14.

Locals are concerned about the impact of mercury and dioxin emissions from the crematorium.

Residents only have until February 12 to lodge submissions.

A public meeting is being held on Tuesday morning at 10.15 adjacent to the proposed site on Old North Road.

Government Presses Pause On Sale Of Local Building

BY CATHERINE ALLEN

Member for Maitland Jenny Atchison has won a momentary reprieve from the Government's plans to sell the East-Maitland Lands Office building.

The building was deemed surplus to both Property NSW and the 'Whole of Government' earlier this year, leading to the decision for it to be sold off.

Recently Moree Plains Shire Council was offered the chance to purchase the towns Crown Lands Office for just $1.

Maitland MP Atchison wrote to the Hon Victor Dominello MP earlier in the month asking for the local community to be offered the same opportunity.

"The community is sick of having to fight for decent infrastructure and services," Ms Atchison said.

Minister Dominello has advised that he's asked Property NSW to put the sale process on hold so a proper assessment of the community use proposal by the Maitland Regional Museum committee can be made and negotiations with Maitland City Council can take place.

"This is a huge win for our local community and I look forward to the proper assessment of the regional museum committee's proposal

"This is a tribute to the hard work of our community," Maitland MP Atchison said.

Maitland Mercury/WIN

Maitland Local Government Week Breakfast

BY ARIANA GATTI

Maitland City Council is, once again, holding its annual 'Local Government Breakfast' in order to celebrate and bring attention to the extensive work of the local council.

The event, beginning at 8:00 am this morning, will be held at the Senior Citizens Centre just located behind the Council Administration Building along High Street in central Maitland.

Both students and teachers alike from around 31 schools across the local government area will be attending the breakfast event, along with Mayor Loretta Baker and General Manager for Council, David Evans.

The event will allow young people and school students to witness and develop an understanding of the importance of local council's and the roles they play in the development and maintenance or regional town centres.

The Breakfast will be run like a forum, opening up the floor to students and teachers to ask questions and be curious about the operations and duties of the Maitland Council.

The event will also be followed by an official unveiling and raising of the town's new local flag from Maitland's Town Hall, commencing at 10:00 am.

The new flag features a new design and colour but has still kept true to the heritage and true nature of the region by showcasing key and original designs, including that of the Maitland River.

Maitland Mayor, Loretta Baker, says there are themes every year that the event is based on.

"The theme this week is the Power of Community, so students will have the opportunity to survey and give us as the council some ideas about changes we could make around the city".

"They get to learn about the things that we do, like looking after the environment, waste management and the fact that we look after the State's roads and bridges and so on", she says.

Image Sourced: http://www.kbcommunications.com.au/portfolio/maitland-city-centre/

The Call To Cover Construction-Site Rubbish

BY ARIANA GATTI

Construction around the Maitland and Hunter regions has caused more disruptions and pains than just noise or eyesores.

The litter coming from populated work sites from left-over building materials and general rubbish has been blown all over the Maitland suburbs and is now causing unrest amongst the community.

Complaints from residents have been directed to Maitland City Council for them to address the rubbish exploding onto surrounding properties and main streets.

Member of Maitland Council, Robert Aitchison, is hoping to launch an effective campaign not just locally but Statewide, to push for all useable skip bins on construction sites to be completely covered.

With the tops of the sizeable bins being left open at the end of the day and with seasonal conditions in motion, rubbish is being blown out of the areas and falling into backyards and waterways.

A notice of motion to carry out this campaign will be the height of Tuesday night's Maitland local council meeting's agenda, to activate this practice as soon as possible.

Cr Aitchison says he aims to gain support from other environmental organisations to help effectively roll-out the campaign.

"There shouldn't be any funding required, but we want to try and secure some grants hopefully through the EPA and that's to go towards all construction sites to have and use skip bins", he says.

"It's very difficult to try and enforce the garbage bins, particularly at the moment when you put a DA in, there are regulations about what you do with the rubbish".

Image Sourced: https://www.skipbinsgoldcoast.co/

Hopeful Donations For Hunter Farmers

BY: ARIANA GATTI

Following a Maitland Council meeting held last night, members have agreed to allocate around $5,000 left-over from the end-of-financial-year budget toward deserving Hunter farmers.

Image Sourced: https://crackler.com.au/portfolio/maitland-city-council-branding/

The notice of motion which was proposed by Maitland Councillor, Philip Penfold, sat well with the rest of council and voted for the allocation of exactly where the funds will be distributed, up to the decision of the general manager.

Funding will be split up and allocated fairly to the farmers in areas still suffering from the results of drought.

Areas in the northern Hunter region, in particular, Merriwa and Muswellbrook, are being kept in mind firstly to receive some of the financial aid. 

Image Sourced: Simon McCarthy, Newcastle Herald - https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5218638/everybodys-looking-for-rain-drought-dries-out-the-hunter/

Cr Philip Penfold says more funding can be found elsewhere to help the suffering farmers.

"While $5,000 is only a modest contribution, I'd like to think that other Councils in the region would be able to contribute as well", he says.

The allocated money would be put to good use, as it would go towards providing enough food for livestock to survive and flourish, as well as maintain healthy living conditions for regional farmers.

Penfold says there have already been organisations getting behind causes like this and are willing to help out.

"We expect organisations, like Lions who have already done some great work to support our farmers, will receive some funding of their own to provide even more aid", he says.

Rate Reduction Slips Through Maitland Residents' Fingers

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A motion to give Maitland residents a one-off rate reduction has been shot down by the majority of Councillors in last night's meeting.

Labor Cr Ben Whiting raised the proposal, which would see Maitland Council absorb a scheduled rate increase of 7.25%; instead limiting it to 2.3%.

It would've equated to a one-off saving of around $80 to $100 per ratepayer.

Cr Mitchell Griffin, who voted against the motion, said it "simply didn't equate" within the budget, and believes essential projects would've been put at risk if Council allowed the reduction.

"There was going to be quite a substantial cost put on the community - around $40 million over 10 years," he said, "services would have been cut from Council's Delivery Program...obviously when you make that sort of cut you have to look at jobs as well. 

"So hence, we've protected the jobs of those within Council and also the Delivery Program we'll be running over the next 10 years," he concluded. 

However, Cr Whiting said he carefully considered the financial implications of the move and mapped out areas to absorb the rate cut. 

"In the motion, I noted the roads as an example," he said, "they're done on a prioritisation basis - they are now and they always will be - so as part of targeting where to cut, I looked at the lower priority roads...and that same process could have been applied across the board." 

Cr Whiting said he was disappointed, but not surprised the Liberals voted against the "modest proposal." 

However Cr Griffin believes the $100 saving promised by Labor in the last election didn't add up with the $77 figure put on the table last night. 

"One has to question whether there is a genuine benefit for the ratepayer," he said, "or it was just there to pork-barrel the electorate." 

Meanwhile, breaches of Council's Code of Meeting Practice are being investigated by the General Manager following a series of interruptions from Councillors who were speaking.