Maitland Administration Centre Project

Tuesday 7 September 2021

Maitland City Council has unveiled a proposed streetscape landscape plan to reinvigorate High Street in conjunction with the construction of the Maitland Administration Centre and its associated vegetation plan.

The intent of the proposal is to include numerous large street tree plantings with native grasses and groundcovers in the area, upgrades to the pedestrian crossing, bus stop and restoration of the concrete, sandstone and flagstone pavements. 

These plans are in addition to the 56 trees already confirmed to be planted throughout and around the new car park of the Maitland Administration Centre in mid-2022, which include jacarandas, crepe myrtles and water gums.

Although some shrubs and trees will be removed as the Centre's construction continues, including the London Plane tree located on the corner of Devonshire Street, there will be a substantial net gain of vegetation once construction is complete.

The proposal is still in the design stage as consultation with external agencies continues about possible challenges that may be presented due to the location of underground services.

Tuesday 1 June 2021

Today the first sod was turned for the new Maitland Administration Centre with Mayor of Maitland, Cr Loretta Baker, Council General Manager, David Evans and Hansen Yuncken's Newcastle Business Development Manager, Matt Bandy.

51 jobs are estimated to be created from the construction with a further 148 to come as funds cycle through the local economy.

The project has been funded through loan repayments and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 and will accommodate up to 360 staff with room for growth over the next 20 years.

Friday 16 April 2021

The new Maitland Administration Centre, set to be built on High Street next to the Town Hall, will shortly begin construction following the decision to enter into a $38 million contract with Hansen Yuncken Pty Ltd. for construction of the Centre. The project includes the new administration centre, as well as significant upgrades to Town Hall, parking and site improvements.

Completion is expected by the end of 2022. Approximately 360 Council staff will initially occupy the Centre with capacity for future growth, highlighting Council’s role as a major employer for the City and its commitment to the revitalisation of Central Maitland.

The development will contribute to the local economy both directly, and indirectly through the flow on effects on supply chain and consumption. Economic modelling indicates that an estimated $101.4m will be generated from the demand for local goods and services, in addition to creating 51 jobs during construction and a further 148 jobs as funds cycle through the local economy.

Following an extensive archaeological investigation at the site over recent months, items of heritage interpretation will be installed throughout the Centre as part of construction to outline the history of specific areas, while salvaged artefacts will also be displayed in the new public lobby.

Hansen Yuncken are a well known construction company who have undertaken recent local, significant works including the new University of Newcastle NUspace on Hunter Street, Newcastle, and the Honeysuckle City Campus Stage 1A currently under construction

Wednesday 10 March 2021

Council has supported a report that will establish a range of heritage interpretation items that acknowledge the history of the site of the future Maitland Administration Centre.

Signage will be used to describe the history of specific areas, salvaged artefacts will be displayed in the new public lobby of the future building, and research and detailed records of the excavation will be used to inform an online digital display.

Archaeologists were initially searching for an 1830s flour mill, however no evidence was found, and the findings were deemed as not having a high level of heritage significance.

While the remains have not been assessed as having a high level of significance, Council is committed to capturing the local significance they hold through a range of display formats that will serve as a constant reminder of Maitland's past.

Wednesday 7 January 2021

Watch the video below to learn of the archaeological findings at the site of the Maitland Administration Centre.

Monday 23 November 2020

The site of the future Maitland Administration Centre, adjacent to Town Hall on High Street, is to be closed to the public as preliminary archaeological investigations commence with works starting from Monday 30 November.

A widespread team of archaeologists will be on the site methodically excavating through the soil with the anticipation of possibly unearthing evidence of significant structures and aretfacts including that of a potential flour mill that operated in the early 19th century.

The site will be closed for the investigation for approximately four (4) weeks however may vary due to the unpredictable nature of the task.

Updates will be provided as the work progresses.

The Maitland Administration Centre will position the organisation to provide contemporary services to the growing community both now and in the future.

Council has outgrown its existing administration building and staff are spread across a range of sites which are now at capacity. Council has also been progressively upgrading the Maitland Town Hall, which is in need of improvements to accessibility, to the Council Chamber, to the Town Hall stage change rooms and loading dock, to the Town Hall kitchen and to parking.

• The new administration building is estimated to cost $30.5 million
• The Town Hall upgrade is estimated to cost $9.7 million
• The new parking and site improvements are estimated to cost $5.3 million
• The total cost estimate for all of these items combined is $45.5 million

Council will borrow to fund the project. The loan repayments have been factored into Council’s long term financial plan.

There will be no additional rate increases as a result of the project. The Council is borrowing to fund the project and the loan repayments have already been factored into Council’s current long term financial plan.

Council is aiming to complete the construction works and to move into the new buildings in late 2022 or early 2023.

The new administration building is in High Street on the eastern side of the Town Hall and opposite the Maitland Regional Art Gallery.

Assessment of the Development Application for the project involving a notification and public consultation process was held from 8 May 2019 until 14 June 2019. Public exhibition for this project is closed.

A construction contractor will be selected through a tender process.

The building has been designed to accommodate up to 360 staff which allows for growth in staff numbers over the next 20 plus years. It is approximately twice the size of the current council building.

Yes. Visitor parking will be provided near a building entry point. This will include accessible parking.

All council staff will move from the existing administration building to the new administration building.Council will develop a re-use strategy for the existing administration building taking into consideration a range of re-use options.

No. The Development Application for the project will be determined by the Hunter Joint Regional Planning Panel appointed by the NSW State Government.

Images of the proposed building design can be seen on this page.