Off-leash dog park for Maitland

BY JESSICA ROUSE

An idea flagged by Maitland City Council a couple of years ago is finally coming to fruition, an off-leash dog park.

The Council has announced a $25,000 dollar enclosed off-leash dog area as a part of their Operational Plan currently on exhibition.

The park is proposed for a block of land on Morpeth Road in the old brickworks quarry where there is already a large enclosed playground.

There is the possibility of more works to be completed in the old quarry, with the potential for toilet blocks, car parking and more. Councillor Phillip Penfold says the dog area at least is due to be adopted next month as a part of the Operational Plan.

"I see in examples of locations around the state that you can provide some interesting aspects for dogs. I think that developing the parcel of land down there at Raworth on Morpeth Road is a fantastic place that can only be further enhanced."

Council is welcoming feedback from the community about the project as well.

"The draft proposal is out on exhibition and this is one element of a large plan moving forward. The intention is to provide the off-leash dog area in the 2018 -19 period. It's one thing people can comment on and if they'd like to offer their feedback it would be welcome for that feedback to be provided to council."

Raworth playground. Image CR Phillip Penfold Facebook page

Council rejects additional lots in Raworth

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

An application to add extra lots to the sub-division of RAYWORTH has been rejected by MAITLAND City Council.

Residents in the area expressed outrage at the proposal made by HDB Town Planning and Design to increase the fifty-lot development to fifty-three.They claimed any additional lots would be incompatible with the character and amenity of their neighbourhood.

Maitland Councillor, Steve Proctor said the community's reaction was a major factor in Council's final decision.

Maitland Councillor Steve Proctor [Image: Maitland Mercury]

"The whole reason that it was rejected was the community weren't happy with the proposal of these additional lots," he said. "In that particular neighbourhood, there are no 450-square metre lots.

"It's just not suitable, it's just not fitting and the community deserve better and that's the way 11 out of 12 councillors voted."

Councillor Bob Geoghegan was the sole councillor who supported the additional lots and claimed they complied with case laws.

Councillor Proctor says this was not a good enough reason to approve the application.

"Lots of things comply," he said. "What eleven out of the twelve councillors said was it was outside the amenity of that particular area.

"It would be acceptable in a high-density area like Aberglassyn or Windella but not in a semi-rural location."

According to Councillor Proctor, Council's final decision provided the fairest outcome for all involved.

"Maitland Council doesn't want to favour developers," he said. "We want everyone to have a fair go and in this case, I believe this outcome is the best for all.

"We're talking fifty lots. That's still a good size sub-division. Fifty-three would have overdone it.

"It would have spoiled what is otherwise a good sub-division."