Economic development covers our policies, programs, or activities that look to improve our community's economic wellbeing and quality of life. This involves fostering economic growth, creating jobs, enhancing productivity, and promoting social progress.
Economic Development Strategy 2025–2035
Maitland is one of the fastest growing cities in NSW, positioned at the heart of the Hunter region. Our Economic Development Strategy 2025–2035 sets a bold vision for inclusive growth, innovation, and resilience, ensuring prosperity is shared across our community. The Strategy is built around four focus areas: People and Future Skills, Thriving and Connected Places, an Innovative and Diverse Economy and Productive and Equitable Partnerships.
Council supports economic development by working with businesses, industry, government and the community to attract investment, improve infrastructure, encourage innovation and foster sustainable, inclusive growth.
Previous phases
Draft Economic Development Strategy on public exhibition
Council exhibited its first Economic Development Strategy for public feedback in 2025. Developed over two years through extensive engagement with local businesses, residents, and stakeholders, the draft Strategy outlines a 10-year roadmap to support a vibrant, resilient economy.
The draft focused on four key priorities - people, place, prosperity, and partnerships – to guide community wellbeing, protect the environment and foster sustainable growth.
The exhibition period closed on 30 June 2025. Council reviewed all submissions received and prepared a report for consideration at a subsequent Council meeting.
Phase one - Future Maitland
Phase one was all about global trends and how Maitland’s economy could evolve. Between August and November 2022, Council hosted a series of thought provoking sessions with local residents, community groups, high school students, business people, councillors and staff.
Presented by Future State Director, James Tuma, the sessions examined emerging trends in mobility, jobs, skills, innovation, sustainability, connectivity, agriculture and clean construction. The insights helped shape early thinking for the Economic Development Strategy.
Phase two
In Phase two, we explored the types of economy that best aligns with our community's values and priorities. Insights from this research and community feedback helped inform the development of the draft Economic Development Strategy.
Goals and strategies
Our Goals
Maitland’s economic development goals focus on building an inclusive, resilient and future‑ready economy that supports the wellbeing of our people and places. This includes strengthening skills and workforce readiness, enhancing connected and vibrant precincts, diversifying industry, and fostering strong partnerships across government, business and community.
Our Strategic Approach
To deliver long‑term prosperity, we prioritise initiatives that develop workforce capability, encourage innovation and enterprise, improve connectivity and infrastructure, and support business growth across established and emerging sectors. These strategies leverage Maitland’s strengths as one of NSW’s fastest‑growing regional cities and the economic heart of the Hunter.
Our strategies focus on:
- Job creation
Supporting new & existing businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and investing in sectors with high potential for job creation. It also focuses on workforce development to match skills with job opportunities. - Infrastructure development
Building and upgrading transport networks, communication systems, energy facilities and public utilities which is essential for economic growth. It improves connectivity, efficiency, and supports economic activity. - Business attraction and retention
Enhancing the business environment through streamlined regulations, support services, training programs, and fostering a collaborative environment between businesses and government. - Education and workforce development
Investing in skills training to develop a capable, adaptable workforce that drives innovation, attracts investment, and fosters economic competitiveness.