Maitland Council outlines $229 million blueprint for growth and renewal

Public invited to comment on four-year plan before 19 May

Maitland City Council has released a comprehensive draft plan detailing how it intends to deliver infrastructure, services, and financial sustainability over the next four years, with the community invited to provide feedback before 19 May 2025.

The draft documents, now on public exhibition, include the Delivery Program 2025–2029, Operational Plan 2025–2026, Fees and Charges 2025–26, and a new Resourcing Maitland’s Future strategy. These plans build on the city’s long-term vision set out in Maitland’s Future, the Community Strategic Plan endorsed by Council in March.

General Manager Jeff Smith said the plans mark a crucial step in turning vision into action.

“This exhibition is about showing our community how we plan to turn our shared vision of a connected city with thriving communities into action,” Mr Smith said.

“We’re focused on delivering services that matter to our community and smarter solutions, ensuring every dollar spent contributes to a thriving Maitland.”

Biggest ever investment in asset renewal

The Council’s proposed budget for 2025–26 features a record-breaking $65.4 million capital works program alongside a $163.8 million operating budget, bringing the total investment to $229.2 million for the year. This includes the largest annual spend on asset remediation and renewal in the city’s history.

Key projects include:

• Construction of a new community centre and the Sophia Waters sportsground and playground in Chisholm
• New amenities at Max McMahon Oval in Rutherford
• Stage two enhancement works at the Maitland Resource Recovery Facility
• Completion of the Melville Ford Bridge replacement
• Launch of a city-wide Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service on 30 June 2025

Environmental initiatives feature strongly, with Council committing to delivering the Hunter Estuary Coastal Management Program and ongoing city-wide tree planting.

Planning for long-term resilience

The supporting Resourcing Maitland’s Future documents outline how the Council will manage its $2 billion in community assets and prepare its workforce to deliver future growth. The Long-Term Financial Plan sets a path back to a balanced budget by 2027, while keeping debt and infrastructure backlog ratios within state benchmarks.

Council also aims to strengthen its workforce by implementing leadership development programs, increasing diversity targets, and ensuring succession plans are in place for all critical roles.

The draft Fees and Charges 2025–26 includes updates such as:

• Mixed domestic/commercial waste disposal rising to $460 per tonne
• Asbestos disposal increasing to $598 per tonne
• Introduction of a $165 fee for basic filming applications, with a tiered structure based on impact

Residents urged to have their say

Council is encouraging the community to read the plans and make submissions by 19 May via mait.city/DPOP25-26. Feedback will be considered ahead of adoption, scheduled for 17 June.

“This is your chance to see what we’re planning to deliver and help refine it,” Mr Smith said. “We want to ensure our delivery is as strong as our vision, and community feedback helps guide that.”

A final report on submissions will be presented to Councillors at the 3 June Council meeting.