Specialist consultants wrap up assessment of the Maitland Gaol site

Specialist consultants have now completed their assessment of the Maitland Gaol site, an important first step to determine what will be required to safely reopen Maitland Gaol to the public.  

Maitland City Council, who manage the 170 year old heritage listed site on behalf of the NSW Government, closed Maitland Gaol following the unexpected discovery of significant electrical and fire safety issues.  

The consultant reports will now be reviewed by Council Officers who will develop the scope of works required to execute the remediation, including a detailed timeframe and budget. This report is expected to be presented to Councillors by the end of the year.    

‘We are currently in caretaker mode with the Local Government election in September, Council Officers will use this opportunity to develop the scope of works so that they can present the current status of the site as well as options for the path forward to the newly elected Council,’ says Maitland City Council General Manager Jeff Smith.  

‘We will also continue to engage with the NSW Government which owns the site about what funding might be available to conduct repair works.’  

Permanent Gaol staff remain temporarily assigned to other locations while investigations continue.  

‘We are working with a complex historical site and I am unable to provide a reopening timeframe at this stage, the safety of staff and visitors remains the priority’ Mr Smith says.