Maitland Council outlines five key community priorities ahead of this month's State election
Maitland City Council has published a report ahead of this month’s state election, outlining five key funding and policy priorities that reflect the needs and views of the Maitland community.
The report unpacks the important role that local councils can play in advocating on behalf of the community in the run up to a State Election.
The importance of infrastructure, transport, climate resilience, education, health services and bolstering Maitland’s visitor economy all feature heavily in the report, which is now available via the Maitland City Council website.
The five key funding and policy priorities outlined in the report are:
- To ensure NSW Government services meet the needs of our existing and growing population
- To address funding shortfalls for new local infrastructure and services, to meet the needs of the growing young population.
- To recognise the significance of key roads through their transfer to the State.
- To maximise the value of State assets to the Maitland community.
- To address the inherent challenges of a floodplain city in a changing climate through new infrastructure and community education.
Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold says ‘outside of Sydney, Maitland is New South Wales’ fastest growing region’ – and that ‘it’s vital for the NSW Government to develop policies that can allow for Maitland to continue to grow as a vibrant and accessible place to live, work, play and prosper.’
‘This State Government election, we’re asking our State representatives in the seats of Maitland and Upper Hunter to make sure that Maitland gets its fair share,’ Mayor Penfold said.
‘It’s vital State Government services meet the needs of not just our current residents, but those we’re planning for as well.
‘It’s crucial that current funding shortfalls in transport infrastructure are recognised, and the value of key assets owned by the state is both recognised and maximised.’
These five priority areas were unanimously supported by councillors, following a report presented to Council on 6 December 2022.