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Council has been operating Maitland Gaol as a tourist attraction since 2000 and has more recently recognised that detailed planning for its future is required. In September 2020, the Maitland Gaol Development Plan was adopted. This Plan outlines a staged redevelopment approach to ensure its long term sustainability and to position the site as one of the most iconic and unique tourist attractions in New South Wales.

Stage one in the Development Plan earmarked an opportunity to maximise current capabilities by updating the Heritage Interpretation Plan (HIP) to bring it in line with modern interpretive thinking. Maitland Gaol is also recognised as a priority hub in the Destination Management Plan (DMP) and the development of the HIP helps meet its vision to become ‘an iconic tourism destination, driven by its unique heritage, connection to community and innovative experiences’ (DMP 2020, pg. 50)

The draft HIP has been prepared and includes a new perspective on interpretation for the Maitland Gaol site.