Staged reopening of Walka Water Works

Council has resolved to establish a Walka Water Works Community Liaison Group (CLG), to work with Council for the duration of the project.

The purpose of the CLG is to be one of the ways that two way communication and engagement is enabled between Council representatives, its partners in the works and representatives of the Maitland community throughout Stage 1 at Walka Water Works.

Expressions of interest to join the Walka Water Works CLG closed as of Sunday 30 April 2023. 

For more information on the role, responsibilities and selection criteria for the Walka Water Works CLG, please read the Terms of Reference.

Walka Water Works is set to receive up to $15 million in funding to start Stage 1 of the proposed restoration and redevelopment after funding was announced in January 2023.   

The NSW Government will contribute $10 million from its Regional Tourism Activation Fund, with co contributions from Crown Lands, Reflections Holiday Parks, and Council.    

It is not the full amount that was applied for so over the next few weeks we will need to work with our partners to confirm the details of exactly what will comprise this first step of Stage 1 to ensure we get the best outcome for Walka.  

At this stage, we can confirm that some of the funding will be allocated to accommodation and associated services, and the partial restoration and reopening of the historic pumphouse building.

• Restoration of the 1887 Pumphouse Building to accommodate a café, restaurant and function centre and brewery, distillery or wine cellar
• Upgrades to the walking trails, miniature railway station, car park, access roads and new amenities
• Improvements to the Pumphouse Lawn as a wedding and event site
• Onsite accommodation like eco-cabins and glamping, which won't impact access to the site for recreation users such as walkers, bird watchers and picnics.
• Entry is free.

We've recently applied for $20m under NSW Government's Regional Tourism Activation Fund program that, if successful, will see big positive improvements at Walka Water Works. 

As part of the application, we proposed development and improvements to the site that will allow the site to reopen, ensuring the history, heritage and nature are celebrated and preserved.

The proposal included items that help us achieve the vision for Walka Water Works to become an iconic visitor attraction for Maitland, with active day use as well as an overnight destination for nature based tourism, weddings, functions and events. This vision will also enhance access to more public spaces and experiences that will be available on the site. 

Walka Water Works was identified as a priority destination hub in the Maitland Destination Management Plan (DMP) 2020-2030 -  developed through extensive community consultation and incorporating more than 1,100 ideas from the community and industry stakeholders.

The site is owned by Crown Lands and managed by Maitland City Council. 

Access to Walka Water Works will remain free following the completion of Stage 1.

The revised scope of works does not include upgrades to the walking trails through the site. We will seek further funding opportunities as they arise to upgrade and improve the walking trails at Walka Water Works.  

Access to the site and the trails will remain free and open to the public upon completion of Stage 1 works. 

Yes, Stage 1 works will include the partial restoration of the Pumphouse Building, including ground floor, the Eastern Annexe and adjacent lawn which will be upgraded and allow for weddings and functions as well as festivals and events.

Alongside the proposal, Council has committed to act on improved access that will lessen the impact of any future flooding events. The proposal includes car park upgrades.

No, it is not being privatised. The site is owned by the community through Crown Lands and managed by Council as the Crown Land Manager.  

As part of the proposal, we will enter into an agreement with Reflections Holiday Parks to provide the onsite accommodation offering. With the exception of the accommodation, the rest of the site will remain open to the general community for free.

The proposed works at Walka Water Works align with the vision for the site, which was identified as a priority destination hub in the Maitland Destination Management Plan (DMP) 2020-2030.  

Based on community engagement, the vision is for Walka to become an iconic visitor attraction for Maitland, with active day use as well as an overnight destination for nature based tourism, weddings, functions and events. This vision will also enhance access to more public spaces and experiences that will be available on the site. 

Importantly, the proposed works will provide a range of revenue sources that will help ensure a sustainable future for Walka, preserving its history and creating a space that can be enjoyed by the community for generations to come.

Reflections manage 37 coastal and inland holiday parks and 43 community Crown reserves on behalf of NSW Crown Lands and the people of NSW. 

As a Crown Land Manager for the NSW Government, all profits generated by Reflections are reinvested back into their parks, creating better facilities and supporting local communities. They do this while aiming to become Australia’s first accredited B Corp holiday park with the care and protection of the natural environments a key focus.  They maintain a quadruple bottom line approach, where delivering environmental, social and cultural benefits are just as important as economic outcomes.

Reflections generate approximately $89 million in economic value for regional NSW each year and are committed to using local trades people, consultants, suppliers near to each of their Parks.

Less than 4% of the 64 hectares site located west of the historic Pumphouse Building will be used for onsite accommodation - see map.

Due to the current sparse vegetation at the proposed site the accommodation will positively, not negatively, impact the number of trees in the area.

Yes, these plans for Walka Water Works were developed as part of the Destination Management Plan 2020-2030 through extensive engagement with community and industry.

During the engagement, there were 729 face to face interactions at pop up stands, 344 online survey completions and meetings with 60 key industry stakeholders. More than 1,100 ideas from the community and industry stakeholders informed the plan.

There was a period of public exhibition before the DMP was endorsed by Council in July 2020.

Yes. We’ll be engaging with the community for the lifetime of the project to ensure that the facility is growing and changing to reflect user expectations, market needs and emerging opportunities.

Expressions of interest are now open for the Walka Water Works Community Liaison Group and close on Sunday 30 April 2023.

Not yet, as the proposal is only in the concept stage of design. However the plan has been developed with input from professional staff at both Council and Crown Lands, who are aware of all environmental requirements. The intention of this proposal is to enhance the environment at the site and give the community more opportunities to connect with, and understand, it. 

Site investigations, and appropriate studies including an environmental impact assessment will be carried out before lodgement of any Development Application.

Under the proposal, the site will see improvements for accessibility to buildings, pathways, parking and accommodation by meeting all accessibility standards to create a welcoming and safe space to be enjoyed by everyone.