Morpeth to Walka Shared Walkway on Public Exhibition

 Maitland residents are being invited to put forward suggestions for the new $13 million Morpeth to Walka shared pathway.

Council says the walkway aims to increase transport and connectivity across expanding suburbs.

The project designs have been placed on public exhibition and residents will be able to have their say up until October 7th before a final report is submitted to Council.

Councillor Warrick Penfold says he wants the path to be useful in the broader transport network.

"It's very important we get this right because these pathways are going to be a very big part of ... moving around in the future," he said.

Credit: Maitland Council

Reflections Holidays withdraws from partnership with Maitland Council

BY JORDAN REGNIS

Reflections Holidays has withdrawn from a partnership with Maitland Council to deliver accommodation at the Walka Water Works site.

Council announced in January it would be prioritising the remediation of asbestos contamination at the site.

This has resulted in funds which sought to turn Walka Water Works into an iconic visitor attraction reallocated to remediation efforts.

The $10 million in funding had been secured through the Regional Tourism Activation Fund.

Maitland Mayor Phillip Penfold says "the council understand that the community's priority is the sites lawns which are closed due to the contamination".

"We're calling upon the owner of the site, the New South Wales Government, to spend the necessary money to remediate the site and open it up."

   

Walka Water Works to host holidaymakers in new-look future

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Walka Water Works is set for a $25 million revitalisation, with Maitland Council and the State Government signing a Memorandum of Understanding to put the site on the tourist map.

They're partnering with Reflections Holiday Parks in the hopes of securing a joint funding bid in the Regional Tourism Activation Fund.

The site's been closed for cleanup works since February, after asbestos was detected on the grounds.

While it's expected to reopen in the coming weeks, the site's slated for bigger changes beyond that date, including holiday accommodation and opening the heritage pumphouse to the public.

Mayor Philip Penfold says it's an exciting opportunity.

"It will be everything from glamping cabins to eco-cabins, to tent sites to caravan sites," he said.

"There'll be quite a variety scattered across the various locations of Walka, so as not to spoil that site."

The plan is also proposing to improve accessibility on the walking trails, redevelop the miniature railway station, and establish a centralised amenities building.

Under the plan, Council would work with Crown Lands to make the changes happen.

"The future of the pumphouse building can be many and varied," Cr Penfold said. "Certainly it'll be a fantastic opportunity for a function centre, opportunities for restaurants, cafes, and the like."

"It's a large building. It sorely needs some TLC and some work done inside."

"The understanding that we have with the Government will help us bring this back to life. It does need funding, but we do have some irons in the fire on that."