Following an extensive tender process, in September 2024 Maitland City Council engaged Ramboll Group as Principal Planning Consultant to undertake the necessary studies, reports, drawings, specifications and other documentation required to commence the planning process for the remediation, restoration and revitalisation of the Walka Water Works site.
Register at Maitland Your Say to be notified when engagement is open.
Project update
February 2025:
Maitland City Council has been informed that the $10M in funding through Regional Tourism Activation Fund funding source withdrawn by the NSW Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as a result of the project scope no longer including an accommodation element. Council is actively pursuing alternative funding sources for the remediation works for both the land and pumphouse building. Following the decision of Council on 11 February, Council will be applying for $5M under the Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program funding for the Pumphouse building revitalisation and chimney remediation.
2024:
On 23 January 2024 Maitland City Council passed the following motion: 'In consideration of the NSW Government‘s advice that there is currently no additional funding available to achieve the complete remediation of the contaminated Crown Land at Walka Water Works, Council seek their agreement to reallocate the existing funding allocations to prioritise contaminated land remediation and pumphouse building remediation and enhancement, while proceeding with planning works for appropriate future accommodation on site.'
An important step to any future use of the Walka Water Works site is to deal with the contamination issue and undertake remediation. The remediation works have been staged and are dependent on future funding from Crown Lands over multiple financial years. Maitland City Council is working with the NSW Government to determine if funding allocations can be redirected from the Regional Tourism Activation Fund to the remediation works for both the land and pumphouse building.
Based on Maitland City Council’s decision to prioritise asbestos contamination at the Walka Water Works site, on 3 May 2024 Reflections Holidays withdrew from its partnership with Council to deliver visitor accommodation at the iconic site.
What’s the vision?
Alongside Morpeth, Maitland Gaol, The Levee and Tocal, Walka Water Works is a priority destination hub identified in our Destination Management Plan.
Our Destination Management Plan is a collaborative plan that proposes a range of opportunities covering marketing and promotion, product development and infrastructure to enhance Maitland’s visitor economy.
We developed the plan with the help of 1,100+ ideas and suggestions from the community, tourism operators, local businesses and visitors.
Our vision for a revitalised Walka Water Works, rooted in nature based tourism with modern infrastructure for weddings, functions, events and accommodation, is starting to take shape.
Nature at the forefront
Our vision is rooted in nature based tourism with modern infrastructure for events and accommodation
Destination hubs
Walka Water Works is one of five priority destination hubs identified in Maitland City Council’s Destination Management Plan 2020-2030.
Project funding
The NSW Government has pledged $10 million in funding, with co-contribution from Crown Lands and Maitland City Council bringing the total funding allocation for stage one to $13.5 million.
Free forever
Public access to the Walka Water Works site will remain free following the completion of stage one.
Priority areas
Once remediation is underway, the first stage of works at Walka Water Works will include:
- Pumphouse restoration
Partial restoration of the 1887 Pumphouse building including the ground floor of the main building to allow for activation, and the Eastern Annex to reopen for weddings and functions. - Improved accessibility
Remediation and partial upgrades to the car park; new access road to accommodation site. - Events infrastructure
Improvements to the Pumphouse lawn as a wedding and event site. - Onsite accommodation
An offering of overnight accommodation options. - Continued public access
For recreation users, such as walkers, bird watchers and picnickers. - Free forever
Public access to the Walka Water Works site will remain free following the completion of stage one.
What could future stages look like?
Subject to further funding being sourced or secured, future stages of the Walka Water Works redevelopment could look like:
Pumphouse restoration
Full restoration of the 1887 Pumphouse Building to accommodate a museum space, café, restaurant and function centre and brewery, distillery or wine cellar.
Improved infrastructure
Upgrades to the walking trails, miniature railway station, car park, access roads and new amenities. New picnic and BBQ areas.
Stay, play and learn
Outdoor function and event spaces, water play and adventure play spaces, Walka Beach remediation and water improvements to allow for SUP and kayak use and hire; education centre.
Improved connectivity
Morpeth to Walka shared pathway access; Shared pathway connection to Rutherford.
Improved accessibility
Remediation and partial upgrades to the car park; new access road to accommodation site.
Our Walka Community Liaison Group
A Walka Water Works Community Liaison Group (CLG) was established to allow for two way communication and engagement between Council, its partners in the works and representatives of the Maitland community throughout the redevelopment of Walka Water Works.
Project timeline & updates
Fast facts and figures
Sustainable development
There is no planned removal of trees and the continued protection of the natural environment at Walka will be planned for through this funding.
Step by step
Before any development can start, remediation of the site is the primary focus.
Project funding
Without this essential funding from the State Government, large parts of Walka will remain closed and untended.
Two-way conversation
Community consultation is an integral part of this project and will continue for its entire lifespan.
Frequently asked questions
We’ve seen and heard from speaking with, and listening to, the Maitland community that Walka Water Works is an important and significant part of our shared history and story, with diverse interests and views on the site.
Outlined below are responses to some frequently asked questions we’ve heard from the community since this project began.
Additional documentation
Here you will find some useful resources and further reading relating to the history of the Walka Water Works site.