Walka Water Works Project

The first step of this project is preparing the planning application, which is supported by the development of a Plan of Management.

A Plan of Management is a long-term framework for the site's protection and sets a clear vision for Walka as the heart of a healthy Maitland. After listening to a broad range of community feedback, we've understood what's important to the community: a revitalised open space and community destination combining heritage, nature and wellness. 

Maitland City Council will:  

• Use the planning application to seek approval from the appropriate planning authority to undertake the remediation of the site;
• Use the planning approval to obtain additional funding to deliver on the approved works.

Remediation of the Walka Water Works site is a critical step, before commencing any revitalisation works. A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for the remediation of contamination at Walka Water Works was developed in 2022. The RAP outlines the remediation of asbestos impacted soils so that the site can be made suitable for ongoing recreational use. The Remedial Action Plan developed in 2022 will be reviewed and updated to align with the Development Application submitted. 

Once remediation has taken place, Council will be prepared, using the planning process outcomes achieved in step one, to work towards delivering the vision documented in the Plan of Management for the site. 

The planning process will identify a sustainable, holistic plan for the ongoing management of the site into the future.

Reflections Holidays withdrew from its partnership with Maitland City Council in May 2024. 

In February 2025, Maitland City Council was informed that the $10M in funding through the Regional Tourism Activation Fund was withdrawn by the NSW Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development as a result of the project scope no longer including an accommodation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. 

While remediation of the site remains the current priority, the Plan of Management is a long-term framework for the site’s protection and sets a clear vision for Walka as the heart of a healthy Maitland. After listening to a broad range of community feedback, we’ve understood what’s important to the community: a revitalised open space and community destination combining heritage, nature and wellness.  

PoM outlines an aspirational delivery model and clear action plan to improve the use and activation of the site, including restoring the buildings for future use and enhancing Walka as a vibrant recreational destination, balancing heritage conservation, environmental protection and community use, subject to future planning processes and approvals.

The draft Plan of Management was on public exhibition until 7 March 2026.  

The Plan of Management:

• Sets the long-term vision, principles, and objectives for Walka
• Establishes a management framework to guide future decisions
• Supports protection of ecological, cultural and heritage values
• Lists allowable uses under the Crown Lland management framework (allowable does not mean approved or intended). 

The Plan of Management does not: 

• Approve any project, development, or commercial activity
• Provide final designs, budgets, or delivery timeframes
• Replace future investigations, consultation, or approvals. 

Officers will review and collate all feedback received.

We will then assess submissions and determine what changes, if any, are required to the draft Plan of Management.

If any non-minor changes are proposed following exhibition, the updated Plan of Management will need to be resubmitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (Crown Lands) for review and consent prior to Council adoption.

A report will then be prepared for the elected Council to consider adoption of the Plan of Management that has been endorsed by Crown Lands.

The report may also outline indicative implementation considerations, such as high-level project prioritisation. This can inform future planning and capital works considerations but does not commit funding or confirm sequencing.

Any future project would be progressed separately and assessed to determine the applicable approvals, investigations and consultation required for that specific scope of works. 

The Walka Water Works Community Liaison Group (CLG) was first 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.

The purpose of the CLG is not to be a decision-making body of Council. The CLG forms an important part of Council’s community engagement around the works, with members encouraged to share the knowledge they gain with the wider community.

At the same time, Council will continue to offer wider engagement opportunities to the broader community, which CLG members are encouraged to promote and participate in.

The minutes of recent meetings can be viewed in the documents section on this page.  

Any future development proposal would require relevant technical studies, further community consultation, and the applicable planning, environmental and heritage approvals. If a proposal cannot meet these requirements, it would not progress.