Maitland City Council has secured $594,000 in funding as part of the NSW Government’s Your High Street grant program to unlock public space, improve amenity and functionality with improvements to High Street, Central Maitland, between Grant Street and the Ken Tubman Drive roundabout.
The proposed scope of work includes increased shade, garden and green spaces, a parklet, additional seating suitable for outdoor dining, creative street and footpath treatments and an enhanced shared zone experience in nearby streets.
The vision of Council’s Your High Street project is to create a vibrant, engaging and greener public space that will build on the local heritage character, support the unique mix of businesses and strengthen the link between The Levee Precinct, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland Administration Centre and Maitland Regional Sporting Complex.
“We are so excited about this project and grateful for the funding received to help unlock the potential for this growing cultural hub in Maitland,” said Maitland Mayor Loretta Baker.
“We hope to create a vibrant space where people want to stop, spend some time and enjoy the diverse mix of local businesses.”
In January 2021, Council asked the community and businesses what they wanted to see from the Your High Street grant program in this space, with the result being overwhelming support for improved green space and seating.
Council says it will continue to work closely with businesses and the community to design and deliver the project.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has helped shift our perception of streets as more than just places to walk or drive,” said Member for the Central Coast and the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Robert Stokes.
“One year on from the lockdown, Your High Street is the second phase of the program which cements the role of our streets as places for people to gather, socialise, dine and do business.
“It’s great to see Maitland City Council getting behind this program, to create more welcoming and attractive main streets for the community.”
Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison congratulated Mayor Baker and Maitland City Council for their initiative in applying for the funding “which will drive jobs in our community and rejuvenate and activate this outdoor space”.
A range of concept design works was undertaken as part of the application process, with further planning to progress those and bring the project to life starting immediately, with the project expected to be completed within 12 months.
The NSW Government’s Your High Street is a statewide program aiming to promote permanent improvement projects in local government areas. This will boost high street businesses, local economies and public wellbeing in response to COVID-19.
The program will provide grant funding for councils to undertake projects that improve the amenity of local high streets, boosting economic recovery by 2022 while improving people’s safety and experiences.
