Six new people every day: New report shows Maitland's current population growth outpaces projections

A new report presented to Maitland councillors last night shows current population growth is greater than anticipated, with Maitland’s population set to exceed 100,000 people in the next two years.

The State of our City report, which is prepared and presented to incoming councils at the beginning of each term, shows population projections by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure were eclipsed by 1,300 people in 2023, putting Maitland City Council on a trajectory to exceed its initial projected population of 144,500 people by 2041.

This population increase roughly equates to six new residents every day.

Maitland City Council General Manager Jeff Smith said NSW Government plans like the Hunter Regional Plan 2041 put ‘Maitland at the forefront of housing development in the Hunter.’

‘New urban release areas such as Thornton North, Aberglasslyn, Lochinvar, Farley, Anambah and Gillieston Heights will continue to play a significant role in providing greenfield housing for the Greater Newcastle area, supported by infill developments in established suburbs,’ Mr Smith said.

‘We’re geared to contribute approximately 25 per cent of the region’s required dwellings over the next two decades.

‘Our healthy supply pipeline of residential land ensures Maitland is well equipped to meet these targets, with an average of more than 1,000 lots approved each year.

‘In fact, we’re exceeding current housing approvals targets set by the state government.’

Mr Smith pointed to new measures to track housing approvals, such as the league table which monitors the performance of every local government area in the state and was announced in July this year, as another metric where Maitland Council was ‘punching above its weight.’

‘In 2023/24, Maitland City Council processed 914 development applications, with an average lodgement timeframe of only four days – the second shortest average timeframe in the state.

‘And in the first four months of this financial year, we’ve cut this average down to two days across 250 applications lodged.’

The NSW Government’s current target for lodgement timeframes is 14 days, dropping to seven days from mid-2025.

So far this financial year, Maitland City Council’s average assessment timeframe for development applications sits at 81 days, with a total development cost of $129.2 million across 234 applications.

‘Greenfield development in Maitland not only supports the region’s growth but also helps alleviate pressure on more densely populated areas,’ Mr Smith continued.

‘By leading in greenfield initiatives, Maitland is contributing to the long term prosperity and resilience of the entire Hunter Region, ensuring growth is both sustainable and inclusive.’

To support this growth, Maitland City Council is investing in community infrastructure across the city, including road upgrades and improvements to recreational facilities. In 2024/25, $60 million of Council’s $216 million budget is set aside for a comprehensive infrastructure program.

Highlights of this infrastructure program include commencement of a new sportsground in Chisholm, construction of a new and improved Melville Ford Bridge, the continuation of improvements to the Thornton Road network, and new skate parks in Gillieston Heights and Thornton, amongst other key projects.

Mr Smith added that whilst Council was doing ‘what it could to meet housing targets right now’, considerable Federal and State Government support would be required to keep pace long-term.

‘If we’re going to continue the delivery of essential infrastructure for our growing population at the required rate, Maitland Council needs a significant amount of ongoing funding and assistance from other levels of government,’ Mr Smith said. ‘This can’t be achieved using ratepayer funds alone.’

Maitland Council’s State of our City 2022-2024 report can be found on our website: mait.city/StateOfOurCity