Walka Water Works Project

Ramboll Group will map out a clear pathway to reopen the site by preparing planning documentation including, but not limited to, a Conservation Management Plan, Master Plan, Plan of Management, Social Impact Study, Aboriginal Archaeological Assessment and Ecological Impact Study. 

The first step of this project is preparing the planning application. Consultation is an important part the planning process so that we can develop a sustainable, holistic plan for the ongoing management of the site into the future.

Maitland City Council will:  

• Use the planning application to seek approval from the appropriate planning authority to undertake the remediation and revitilisation of the site;
• Use the planning approval and master plan to obtain additional funding to deliver on the approved works.

Remediation of the Walka Water Works site is a critical step, before commencing any revitalisation works. A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for the remediation of contamination at Walka Water Works was developed in 2022. The RAP outlines the remediation of asbestos impacted soils so that the site can be made suitable for ongoing recreational use. 

We will continue to work with the NSW Government to reallocate the $10 million in funding from the Regional Tourism Activation Fund to prioritise remediation of the site and to identify what funding might be available for other aspects of site improvement. 

Once remediation has taken place, Council will be prepared, using the planning process outcomes achieved in step one, to work towards delivering the revitalisation actions.

The planning process will identify a sustainable, holistic plan for the ongoing management of the site into the future.

Register with Maitland Your Say to be notified of upcoming engagement opportunities and surveys. 

Ramboll Group have been embedding sustainability and sustainable communities in their corporate strategy and company ethics for 75 years. Ramboll are excited to work with Maitland City Council on the restoration and revitalisation of such an iconic place to be a landmark project for our region. 

Ramboll are coordinating the planning process, using specialist and technical consultants to support the work. Each consultant will be responsible for different aspects of the process.  

• SMA Tourism – Development Plan, Masterplan and Business Case 
• ESS – Plan of Management, Stakeholder Engagement 
• ELA – Conservation Management Plan 
• Terras – Landscape Masterplan and Concept Design 
• EJE Architecture – Pumphouse Adaptation 
• AAP Consulting – Social Impact Study 
• BMT – Flood Mapping Study 
• Coolburn - Bushfire Risk Management Report 
• DeWitt Ecology - Ecological Impact Study and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design 
• Ramboll - Transport Planning and Traffic Management Plans, Statement of Environmental Effects 
• Northrop - Engineering Feasibility Studies and Dilapidation Report 
• Muller Partnership - Quantity Surveyors Report 
• RCA Australia - Geotechnical Investigation 
• Red Insight - Emergency Management Plan 
• NewCert - Construction Certifier

The documentation includes, but is not limited to: 

• Concept Masterplan 
• Plan of Management 
• Conservation Management Plan 
• Statement of Environmental Effects 
• Ecological Impact Study 
• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment 
• Traffic Management Plan 
• Emergency Management Plan 

The current funding from the NSW Government of $10 million from the Regional Tourism Activation Fund is earmarked for these priorities.  

• Pumphouse restoration - Partial restoration of the 1887 Pumphouse building including the ground floor of the main building to allow for activation, and the Eastern Annex to reopen for weddings and functions. 
• Improved accessibility - Remediation and partial upgrades to the car park; new access road to accommodation site. 
• Events infrastructure - Improvements to the Pumphouse lawn as a wedding and event site. 
• Onsite accommodation - An offering of overnight accommodation options. 
• Continued public access - For recreation users, such as walkers, bird watchers and picnickers. 

On 23 January 2024, Maitland City Council passed a motion to work with the NSW Government to see if the funds can be redirected from the Regional Tourism Activation Fund to the remediation works. 

Read more about the funded works. 

To date, the concept and vision as outlined in the Destination Management Plan has been presented to the community, now is the time to create a holistic and sustainable plan for the future of the site. We are now moving into the detailed planning stages of that redevelopment project. 

Before any redevelopment can happen, the planning process and then remediation needs to take place first. As we’re now in the planning stage, we encourage the community to have their say on the Maitland Your Say website