Maitland City Council has engaged Ramboll Group as Principal Planning Consultant to undertake studies, reports, drawings, specifications and other documentation required to commence the planning process for the remediation of the Walka Water Works site.
Walka Water Works remains partially closed due to asbestos contamination and Council, which manages the site on behalf of Crown Lands, is continuing to work with the NSW Government to determine what funding might be available to remediate the site.
“Once remediation has taken place, Council will then be on the front foot to revitalise the site, with the Principal Planning Consultant mapping out a clear pathway to reopen the site by preparing planning documentation including, but not limited to, a Conservation Management Plan, Masterplan, Plan of Management, Social Impact Study, Aboriginal Archaeological Assessment and Ecological Impact Study, which will be completed over the next 12 to 18 months,” the Council said in a statement.
While the preservation, enhancement and protection of the natural environment, flora and fauna at Walka Water Works is a high priority, Council General Manager, Jeff Smith said “there are constraints, conditions and complexities involved with the remediation and ongoing management of the former industrial site that are largely attributed to the widespread asbestos contamination that, if left untreated, would pose significant risks to the community and the ecology of the site”.
Mr Smith said that while consultation was undertaken to develop the Destination Management Plan back in 2020, Council was now at a stage where a sustainable, holistic plan for the ongoing management of the site has commenced, “and we’re committed to working closely with a wide range of stakeholders throughout this process about their vision for enhanced uses for the site”.
Council will be reconnecting with key stakeholders including user groups, residents and the broader community in the coming weeks, he said.
