SECTION TWO (page

2020/21 EVENTS

JULY

NAIDOC Week (city wide) 17 LIVE at The Levee - Doc and the Delegates (Central Maitland) 31 National Tree Day (city wide)

AUGUST

21 LIVE at The Levee - The Lyrebird Experiment (Central Maitland) 29 Return of guided Night Tours at Maitland Gaol (East Maitland)

SEPTEMBER

4 Foreign Film Night - Talking about Trees (Central Maitland) 11 Foreign Film Night - Where am I Going? (Central Maitland) 14-28 Creative Streets After Dark (Central Maitland) 18 LIVE at The Levee - Sid Berry (Central Maitland)

OCTOBER

5-10 Riverlights Online, together with Greater Bank (virtual event) 10 Opening of ‘When Night Falls’ and ‘Bodies on a Rock’ at Maitland Regional Art Gallery (Central Maitland) 12 Opening of Maitland Regional Athletics Centre (Central Maitland) 16 Live at The Levee - Baguette (Central Maitland) 17 Queens Wharf upgrades opened to the public (Morpeth) 19-23 ‘Joe Rider’ Motorcycle Awareness campaign (city wide) 19-25 Aussie Backyard Birdcount (city wide) 19-25 Water Week ‘Reimagining our Water Future’ (city wide) 24 Cars of the World - The Levee (Central Maitland)

NOVEMBER

9-15 National Recycling Week ‘Recovery: A future beyond the bin’ (city wide) 16-22 Click and Collect Compost Giveaway (city wide) 20 LIVE at The Levee - Slapjack (Central Maitland) 25 Launch of Morpeth Business Prospectus (Morpeth) 26 Newcastle Jets vs Macarthur Football Club trial match at Maitland No.1 Sportsground (Central Maitland) 27 Guided Day Tours return at Maitland Gaol (East Maitland)

DECEMBER

1- 21 Christmas at The Levee and Santa photos (Central Maitland) 17 Open Day for the archaeological investigation at future site of the Maitland Administration Centre (Central Maitland) 18 Christmas at the Common (Morpeth)

JANUARY

Free Art January at Maitland Regional Art Gallery (Central Maitland) 4-26 Summer School Holiday Program at Maitland Gaol (East Maitland) 10 Street Eats (Morpeth) 14-16 The Levee Summer Sale (Central Maitland) 15 Street Eats (East Maitland) 15 ‘Maitland Gaol After Hours’ self-guided tours (East Maitland) 22-23 Neon Nights at The Levee (Central Maitland) 22-26 Summer Lights (Central Maitland) 26 Big Australia Day Breakfasts (city wide) 26 Australia Day Official Ceremony and Citizenship Ceremony at Maitland Town Hall (Central Maitland) 28-30 Dive in Cinema (East Maitland Aquatic Centre) 1-28 Make it Maitland Photo Competition (city wide) 5 Street Eats (Woodberry) 8-21 Australian Open Live Site at Turner Rest Park (Central Maitland) 12 Outdoor Cinema at Max McMahon Oval (Rutherford) 20 Mattress Muster (East Maitland) 26 Street Eats (Rutherford) 27 ‘Space Funk! Disco Dystopia’ (Central Maitland)

MARCH

3 Opening of Community Hub (Gillieston Heights) 7 ‘All About Women’ program streamed live (East Maitland Library) 7 Clean Up Australia Day (city wide) 12 Maitland Regional Art Gallery Autumn Season launch (Central Maitland) 12-21 Changing Colours program at The Levee (Central Maitland) 21 Street Eats at Walka Water Works (Oakhampton) 27 Native Seedling Giveaway (Maitland Park)

APRIL

3-18 Autumn School Holiday Program at Maitland Gaol (East Maitland) 8 Maitland Aquatics Winter Season Launch (Central Maitland) 9 Street Eats (Gillieston Heights) 9 Staging Colours at The Levee (Central Maitland) 18 Street Eats (Telarah Lagoon) 21 – 26 May Creative Capers at The Levee (Central Maitland) 22 NSW Seniors Festival free book launch (East Maitland) 23 Staging Colours at The Levee (Central Maitland) 24 Maitland Shred at Harold Gregson Skate Park (Central Maitland) 30 Staging Colours at The Levee (Central Maitland) Celebration of 100 Years of Rotary 7-9 Maitland Taste Deconstructed (Central Maitland) 14 Staging Colours at The Levee (Central Maitland) 15-16 NSW Heritage Festival at Maitland Gaol (East Maitland)

16 Street Eats (Lorn) 21 LIVE at The Levee - Sugarbob and the Objects of Desire (Central Maitland) 25 Visitor Economy Forum and Networking Lunch (Tocal) 28 Street Eats (Raworth)

JUNE

18 Street Eats (Chisholm) 18 LIVE at The Levee - Glovers Lane (Central Maitland) 18-19 Maitland Regional Art Gallery Winter Season Launch (Central Maitland) 26 The Levee One Day Sale (Central Maitland)

OUR ORGANISATION

SERVICES

ASSET CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

We plan, build and manage community assets including roads, footpaths, car parks, stormwater drains, recreation facilities and cemeteries to meet the needs of a growing community.

CITY APPEARANCE

We plan and deliver a range of activities that contribute to the character of our city, from parklands to street trees, signage and flags to street sweeping, graffiti removal and litter collection.

CITY LEADERSHIP

We steer the development of a contemporary city and desirable community through the leadership of our elected Councillors and senior staff. Together, these groups represent community interests, making decisions, setting policies and delivering services.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

We enhance and support our community and the many groups within it through active planning, partnerships and provision of high quality, accessible services.

CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

We contribute to our community’s cultural development and learning through the management and promotion of our libraries, art gallery and museum in addition to initiatives like public art.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING

We contribute to the growth of our local economy through efficient, timely approvals processes, marketing and visitor economy, as well as supporting high profile events and developing Maitland Gaol and Walka Water Works as iconic tourist destinations.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

We help protect and enhance our natural environment through planning, partnerships and the delivery of a range of programs.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

We enhance community health and safety through the delivery of a range of programs, as well as help protect our community in times of emergency or disaster.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

We plan and manage the sustainable growth and development of our city, whilst respecting our heritage rich built environment.

RECREATION AND LEISURE

We manage our city’s recreation areas including parks, sportsgrounds and green space, as well as aquatic facilities and a range of community buildings including neighbourhood centres and the Town Hall.

ROADS AND TRANSPORT

We provide transport routes for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians through planning and management of road and transport networks in the city.

WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING

We manage the collection and disposal of our waste, as well as recovering recyclable materials.

Maitland Administration Centre Sod Turning Ceremony

COUNCIL

MAYOR GENERAL MANAGER

Executive Manager Workplace Culture & Safety Tiffany Allen

• Employee Relations &

Engagement • Industrial Relations

• Recruitment &

Retention

• Training &

Development • Work, Health & Safety • Injury Management • Workforce Planning • Career Development • Workers

Compensation • Health & Wellbeing Executive Manager Vibrant City Rachel MacLucas

• Marketing • City & Visitor

Economy • Communication (External & Internal) • Customer

Experience • Community

Engagement • Media

• City Events • Place Activation

• Maitland Gaol Executive Manager Digital Transformation Mark Margin

• Digital Strategy • Digital Architecture • Digital Security • Digital Services • Information

Technology &

Communications • Corporate Planning &

Performance Reporting • Continuous

Improvement • Strategic Grants

Coordination

• Operational Financial

Services (debtors, creditors, rating, payroll) & compliance reporting • Audit & Risk

Management • Information Services

• Property & Spatial

Services

• Corporate Governance

Group Manager Culture, Community & Recreation Judy Jaeger

• Community Facilities

Management • Recreation Facilities

Management • Major Venues

Management • Library Services • Art Gallery • Aquatics • Community &

Recreation Planning • Community Support

Services

Aside from the above functions, all Group and Executive Managers share the below core functions:

• Communication (internal and external) • Continuous improvement • Councillor liaison • Community and Employee Engagement • Integration and partnership • Staff leadership and management

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL MANAGER

General Manager Support • Mayoral Support • Executive Support Coordination • Civic Events & Functions • Councillor Support Services

Group Manager Planning, & Environment Matt Prendergast

• Strategic Planning • City Planning • Recreation Facilities

Planning • Community Facilities

Planning • Section 7.11 Planning • Development &

Building • Environmental

Management • City Heritage • Community Health • Waste Management • Floodplain

Management Group Manager Infrastructure & Works Chris James *

• Asset Management • Capital Works Program • Major Projects (scoping & procurement) • Capital Works

Construction &

Maintenance

• Parks & Recreation

Maintenance

• Community Buildings &

Maintenance

• Survey & Design • Traffic & Transport

Planning • Mechanical Services,

Plant & Depot • Development/

Subdivision Engineering • Emergency

Management • Traffic Management

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Group Manager Strategy, Performance & Business Systems Leah Flint

• 451.1 full time equivalent employees • 534 employees including casuals • 27% workforce are part time, casual and temporary employees • 45% are male • 55% are female • 153 new starters • 98 leavers • 9 traineeships • 5 apprenticeships • 326 incidents and injuries

LEADERSHIP GENDER BREAKDOWN

Position Number of employees Female Male General Manager 1 0 1 Group / Executive Manager 7 4 3 Managers 17 9 8

AGE PROFILE

The average age of our permanent workforce is 44. 25% of the workforce is over 55, with workforce planning identifying measures to reduce the impact of a large number of workers due to retire at around the same time.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

We supported nine Trainees who studied Business Administration, Design, Events & Customer Service; and five Apprentices who studied Horticulture, Landscaping, Mobile Plant Technology and Fabrication during 2020/21.

24 employees commenced or continued working towards further professional development through study. Training in other areas included Respectful Workplace, Guiding Principles and Customer Service.

EMPLOYEE INFORMATION

Function Infrastructure & Works Number of staff Full time Part time Temporary 200 196 1 3

Culture, Community & Recreation 73

Planning & Environment

80 Strategy, Performance & Business Systems 38 46

63

25

Vibrant City Workplace Culture & Safety Digital Transformation General Managers Office

TOTAL

*NB: This figure does not include casuals. 53

14

12 36

9

12

5

4

438* 360

22

12

10

10

1

0

1

54

0

24

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY

In 2020/21 there was an increase of 35% in recorded incidents and injuries, from 242 events to 326 events. This was largely due to the implementation of the Vault incident management system, which captures all internal incidents not just injuries, along with incident reporting training provided to all leaders. While showing an increase, the result reflects increased awareness and capture of incidents. There was 11% reduction in reportable medical treatment, restricted work and lost time injuries.

Incidents and Injuries

Reporting Year

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

2020/21

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Our Guiding Principles assist our people to embrace the customer centric behaviours that our customers value.

MAKE THINGS EASY

Do the hard work to make things intuitive for me.

BE WELCOMING

Care for me as a person, not a task or a number.

BE OPEN MINDED

Listen to me and work with me to find solutions.

LOOK OUT FOR ME

Thoughtfully anticipate what will make my days go smoother.

KEEP YOUR PROMISES

Follow through on your commitments to me.

SECTION THREE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Council worked with residents and other stakeholders to produce the ten year community strategic plan, Maitland +10.

Maitland +10 identifies high level outcomes for our city, along with strategies to help meet these goals. It’s a vision for our city, a plan by our community, for our community. Council’s Delivery Program supports the delivery Maitland +10, providing clear information to the community on Council’s role in leading, partnering or facilitating the achievement of our community’s ten year goals. The Operational Plan 2020/21, the annual plan under the Delivery Program 2018-2022 is the focus of this Annual Report. This section provides information on productivity improvements, capital works highlights and the delivery of operations in 2020/21 against the five themes of Maitland +10.

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND REPORTING

Maitland City Council delivers its planning and reporting in line with legislative requirements. The Integrated Planning and Reporting framework, as legislated under the Local Government Act, guides the development of the Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, Operational Plan and associated Reports. Our strategic planning considers State Government priorities and regional strategies and plans and how these will be implemented in the Maitland Local Government Area.

The development of these documents is based on extensive community engagement. They are designed to capture community vision, inspire our community and employees, focus effort and attention, anticipate obstacles, coordinate and prioritise action, and identify clear points of accountability. Our planning and performance framework cascades into increasing levels of operational and action detail. A line of sight is established between what each staff member does within each department’s day to day work and the broader outcomes of Maitland +10, the community strategic plan.

COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN

Maitland +10 defines our community’s aspirations for the city for the next ten years. It was last reviewed in 2018 following extensive community consultation, and guides Council in decision making and planning processes.

DELIVERY PROGRAM

Our Delivery Program 2018-2022 (Revised) sets the strategic direction for Council, including performance indicators for assessing progress. The Delivery Program is based on the vision, themes and values determined by the community in Maitland+10, and articulates Council’s role and responsibilities in reaching that vision.

OPERATIONAL PLAN

Our annual Operational Plan outlines how we will achieve the goals within the Delivery Program through a set of defined actions.

ANNUAL BUDGET, FEES AND CHARGES

Each year Council reports to the community on the budget and the setting of fees and charges for the coming year.

CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM

Council presents a four year plan to the community detailing infrastructure construction and maintenance projects planned for the coming year, plus plans for the next three years.

RESOURCING STRATEGY

The Resourcing Strategy consists of the Long Term Financial Plan, Workforce Management Plan, Asset Management Plan, Information and Communication Technology Strategy. It ensures Council has the resources needed to achieve the objectives set out in the Delivery Program.

ON THE MOVE

On the Move outlines the progress and steps taken towards achieving the objectives of the Delivery Program. The report is published twice yearly in May and October.

ANNUAL REPORT

The Annual Report provides a snap shot of our achievements in delivering on the five key themes of our Delivery Program and Operational Plan. It contains detailed reporting on Council’s performance in terms of its principle functions in accordance with Section 428 of the Local Government Act 1993, particularly in regards to budgetary, environmental, public works, governance, human resources and other related outcomes.

END OF TERM REPORT

The End of Term Report details the significant milestones achieved by the Council during its term of office.

PRODUCTIVITY AND REVENUE SAVINGS

EFFICIENCY DIVIDEND

As with the previous financial year, all departments were subject to an efficiency dividend, being a reduction of 1.31% in the allocation of funds to operational expenditure areas. A number of budget areas were excluded from the target due to their unique circumstances, including maintenance, domestic waste management, events, and grant funded projects. Managers were tasked with achieving planned actions and projects from within the reduced allocation with $495,819 quarantined.

GRANT FUNDING

Ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with population growth and social and demographic changes is a priority for Council. Funding major infrastructure is often beyond the financial capacity of a single Council, requiring partnerships with other levels of government, the private sector, user groups and the broader community. With this in mind, we continued our focus on grant funding to deliver key public infrastructure works, successfully being awarded over $24.5 million in funding. Capital funding received for projects this year included $2.3 million toward the Maitland Regional Sports Complex Stage 3, $0.4 million toward the Morpeth to Walka Water Works Shared Pathway commencing at Morpeth and $0.7 million toward works at Stations Lane Lochinvar. Grants for operational projects provided financial assistance of $9.3 million toward road works, environmental and heritage projects.

CUSTOMER DRIVEN TRANSFORMATION

To meet the community’s growing needs and realise opportunities for productivity improvements and efficiency gains, Council adopted its Customer Experience Plan in December 2019. In the Customer Experience Plan preparatory stages, a major finding raised the need to review Council’s Digital / ICT capability, capacity, system architecture, and security. In February 2021, Council endorsed a Digital Capability and Capacity Strategy and Roadmap that assists the implementation of our Customer Experience Plan and enables widespread efficiencies and cost effective operations across the full range of Council activities. Costs additional to the existing and recurrent budget allocations will be met from current and annual productivity savings over the three year implementation time frame.

BORROWING COSTS

Borrowing costs were under budget by $192,000 (10.8%). Savings were achieved through delay in current year for drawdowns and rates on new borrowings.

PRODUCTIVITY SAVINGS OVER 2020/21

Initiative

Identified productivity value

Efficiency Dividend

Total

$495,819

$495,819

REVENUE SAVINGS OVER 2020/21

Initiative

Grant Funding Borrowing Costs

Total

Identified productivity value $24,594,203 $192,000

$24,786,203

LOCAL ROADS

• 690 kilometres sealed • 32 kilometres regional roads • 20 kilometres unsealed roads (figures do not include State Roads)

PUBLIC BUILDINGS

• 5 district buildings • 4 libraries • 5 childcare centres • 15 community halls/centres • 41 amenities buildings • 23 public toilet blocks • 10 grandstands • 12 kiosks • 2 outdoor pools • 1 indoor pool • 29 equipment sheds

ROADSIDE INVENTORY

• 342 kilometres footpaths/cycleways • 992 kilometres kerb and gutter • Bus stops • Signage

BRIDGES

• 2 timber bridges • 14 concrete bridges • 1 steel/ concrete composite bridge • 45 major culverts

STORMWATER DRAINAGE

• 428 kilometres conduits/culverts • 18,018 pits and headwalls • 43 flood gates • 146 detention basins/ponds • 171 gross pollutant traps • 1 pump station

OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION

• 326 hectares passive open space • 118 hectares recreational open space • 79 playgrounds • 2 pools centres • 7 skate parks • 49 shade structures • 20 public barbeques • 2 baseball facilities • 250 light poles • 38 netball courts • 1 hockey facility • 32,000 m2 park roads (~5.3 kilometres) • 60,000 m2 car parking • Park furniture, lights, fencing, signage • Sportsground fencing, cricket wickets and practice nets • Tennis courts

CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM

CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Asset management is carried out as determined in the four year Capital Works Program, contained within the Delivery Program. The program is developed to address the long term efficiency and effectiveness of city assets and infrastructure and does not include special and major projects such as the Maitland Administration Centre.

2020/21 Program areas Access priority program Bridges and guardrail improvement program Public buildings Car park refurbishment Cycleway and shared path construction Drainage construction Major road reconstruction Road rehabilitation and reseal Footpath construction and refurbishment Recreation facilities

ACCESS PRIORITY PROGRAM

The access priority program improves physical access and is developed from the actions recommended in the Access Priority Study and the Central Maitland Pedestrian Access Mobility Plan. In addition to upgrades to make bus stops accessible, all new and refurbished foot way and road works include accessibility improvements. Works this year include school crossing ramps at Victoria Street Maitland to improve access to St John the Baptist Primary School.

BRIDGES AND GUARDRAIL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

Bridge works are determined from inspection and testing to minimise structural deterioration and improve overall condition. Works include major repairs, rehabilitation and replacement of components such as guardrail, girders, joints and decks and upgrades or replacement as required. This year we upgraded the Oakhampton Road rail crossing guardrail and repaired major culverts on Maitland Vale Road Maitland Vale.This year we upgraded the Oakhampton Road rail crossing guardrail and repaired major culverts on Maitland Vale Road Maitland Vale.

BUILDINGS

Building work requirements are identified through condition assessments and conservation management plans. Works include physical structure, fit out, operations, health, safety and security. This year we upgraded: • Morpeth School of Arts, Morpeth • Refurbishment of the Town Hall, Central Maitland • Kiosk at Maitland Aquatic Centre, Central Maitland • Gender inclusive amenity upgrades at Somerset

Oval Thornton and Shamrock Hill Oval

Ashtonfield.

CAR PARK REFURBISHMENT

Car park refurbishment improves the condition of off street carparks to maximise available spaces, minimise deterioration and improve access to nearby facilities. This year we refurbished carparks at Maitland Park Maitland and Beryl Humble Sports Complex Tenambit, creating an additional 7,000m2 of sealed car parking.

CYCLEWAY AND SHARED PATH CONSTRUCTION

This program of works is primarily based on the Maitland Bike Plan (2014). The Plan promotes a hierarchy of trunk, collector and scenic routes. This year we delivered cycleway works at Furber Street East Maitland, Dumaresq Parade Metford, Lismore Avenue Telarah, and Bungaree Street Telarah, creating an extra 19 kilometres of footpaths/shared paths.

DRAINAGE CONSTRUCTION

The drainage program improves drainage through modifying, repairing or replacement infrastructure. Works are determined by catchment studies, condition assessments and customer requests. The program also improves detention and water quality, and is complemented by routine maintenance and works enabled through the stormwater management charge. This year we completed a drainage line from the new Maitland Administration Centre, Bent, Fry and Grant Streets to Athel D’Ombrain Drive Maitland and drainage augmentation at Vista Parade East Maitland.

MAJOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION

This program replaces roads where levels of service are low or the asset has reached the end of its life cycle. The allocation includes: • Roads to Recovery (R2R) - projects are typically roads of significance and/or of high use • Urban Local Roads (ULR) - projects are typically collector and distributor type roads • New Works Urban - other road categories requiring reconstruction and/or kerb • Rural Reconstruction - focus on the rural road network • Regional Repair Program - funding aimed at the

Regional Road network.

This year we completed major road reconstructions on:

• Lang Drive, Bolwarra Heights • Paterson Road, Bolwarra Heights • Mitchell Drive, East Maitland • Station Lane, Lochinvar • Luskintyre Road Luskintyre • Millers Forest, Woodberry • Kyle Street, Rutherford • Government Road, Thornton.

ROAD REHABILITATION AND RESEAL

Council’s Pavement Management System determines reseal and rehabilitation projects, which prolong the life and level of service of the entire road network, through preventing or reducing natural deterioration. In 2020/21 Council resealed or rehabilitated approximately 20 kilometres of road pavement across the city.

FOOTPATH CONSTRUCTION AND REFURBISHMENT

Works are based on risk management and required levels of service, and include new construction, refurbishment and or minor adjustments. In 2020/21 Council constructed new footpaths at: • Paterson Road, Bolwarra Heights • Chisholm Road, East Maitland • Phillip Street, East Maitland • Victoria Street, East Maitland • Logan Road, Rutherford • Regiment Road, Rutherford • Wollombi Road, Rutherford. Council also accepted approximately 10 kilometres of footpaths from subdivision development projects. Council rehabilitated footpath segments at: • Lawes Street, East Maitland • High Street, East Maitland • Church Street, Maitland • Belmore Road, Lorn • Hunter Street, Maitland • Robert Street, Morpeth.

RECREATION FACILITIES

Works include major repairs, rehabilitation or replacement of recreation facilities and supporting infrastructure. Project areas include playground equipment, fencing, floodlights, amenities and playing surfaces. This year we delivered a number of projects including: • New play equipment at Benshulla Drive Park

Bolwarra and Hartcher Field Telarah • New shade structures at ANZAC Park and

Centennial Park both at East Maitland • Play space surface renewal at Victor Warby

Reserve Gillieston Heights • Floodlighting using new LED technology at Lorn

Oval Lorn, Earnie Jerd Oval Largs, Beryl Humble

Sports Complex Tenambit, Thornton Netball

Courts and Somerset Sports Field Thornton.

Allandale Road works

PROUD PEOPLE, GREAT LIFESTYLE

Our community is proud of Maitland, its heritage and its future. We celebrate our diverse mix of cultures and work together to build community connections. We enjoy our many sporting and cultural services and facilities and come together to celebrate local events, festivals and recreation activities. As a growing city, we are supported through convenient local access to health, education and shopping services.

Maitland Aquatic Centre Winter Launch OPERATIONAL PLAN DELIVERY

OUR COMMUNITY WANT To retain our sense of place and pride in our city whilst welcoming diversity and change WE DELIVERED

A Food Assistance Network brought together providers to ensure our community had access to food relief as required during COVID-19. The network was recognised at the Local Government Awards, winning the Community Partnerships category. The Strengthening Family Network continued their work, building the capacity of local service providers that assist youth and provide early intervention services.

Our Youth Week program was held throughout April ending with Maitland Shred, a skate competition codesigned between local youth and Council. The event was proudly funded by the NSW Government Stronger Country Communities Fund and included four categories: skateboard, scooter, and bike in under 12’s, under 18’s and under 24’s age groups, and roller blading/roller skating in an open age group. The event attracted over 40 young people who competed across the numerous events in front of 200 spectators. Community programs included a range of community art and beautification projects delivered through a collaboration between community members and professional artists to create murals on rebound walls at parks across the city. An exciting and varied place activation program was delivered, including the NSW Government grant funded ‘Morph It’ activation that unlocked public space through a series of quick, engaging, high impact temporary installations in the historic township of Morpeth. Street Eats returned and included new locations at Walka Water Works Oakhampton, Woodberry Playground and Skate Park, Anzac Park in East Maitland, and Telarah Lagoon, as part of the commemoration of 100 Years of Rotary. The ‘Take Me To The River’ mural in Drill Hall Lane Maitland was completed, providing improved linkage between the eastern end of The Levee and the Hunter River, Creative Streets ‘After Dark’ and ‘Quick Response’ saw Council fund seven temporary and semi permanent creative projects across the city and Walls That Talk at Maitland Library used the external walls of the building to provide the exhibitions Pandemical Habits, Ken Done and Youth Week. The Visitor Information Centre continued to welcome visitors, but with slightly reduced numbers due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19. To offset this the mymaitland.com.au website was successfully relaunched in December 2020 with a focus on online experience. Total page views for ‘What’s On’ was up almost 30,000 over the previous year. The Brand Maitland Signage program continued with site investigations and risk assessments undertaken for future sign locations on the highway and other entry points across the city. The signage will welcome visitors to Maitland, provide pride of place for our residence and act as identifiers for local suburbs.

Our annual maintenance program delivered public streetscape improvements, plus street tree planting at Bakers Brickyard Park Raworth, Chisholm Road East Maitland and Mitchell Drive East Maitland.

We removed graffiti from more than 50 sites including known hotspots and locations such as sporting facilities, community buildings, public toilets, footpaths, bus shelters and parks and play spaces. Graffiti is also regularly removed from shopping precincts such as The Levee and West Mall Rutherford.

Development of the Maitland Rural Lands Strategy commenced to provide land use planning and a management framework to guide future decisions about the use of Maitland’s rural lands. A key action of the Local Strategic Planning Statement, the strategy will guide future Local Environmental Plan amendments and ensure agricultural and ecological areas are appropriately zoned and managed into the future. The Strategy will be placed on public exhibition in 2021/22.

OUR COMMUNITY WANT Community, recreation and leisure services and facilities that meet the needs of our growing and active community WE DELIVERED

FACILITIES

The Maitland Regional Athletics Centre, a $10.5 million project jointly funded by Council and Restart NSW Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund, was opened on 12 October and has proven to

be a popular site for local schools and coaches. Since opening, over 13 coaches have registered to use the site bringing 497 athletes to the venue to train. 38 carnivals have been held with an average attendance rate of 350 participants across the 38 events. The site has been booked for future regional and state events.

In collaboration with Studio Dot, we received two awards at the Australian Institute of Architects NSW Awards for the Maitland Regional Athletics Centre. The Centre was also awarded the Newcastle Public Architecture Award, the NSW Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture and a NSW award for Public Architecture. The awards are a recognition of the contribution of design excellence in delivering assets that benefit the community.

Works were progressed on Stage 3 of the $8.5 million Maitland Regional Sports Complex, jointly funded by Council and the NSW Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund. Stage 3 of the redevelopment includes a walking track, new playground, outdoor exercise facilities and additional amenities. Works were delayed as a result of COVID-19 with construction expected to be completed towards the end of 2022.

The $4 million Gillieston Heights Community Hub was opened to the public providing the growing community of Gillieston Heights with access to a quality multi purpose space.

The annual Royal Life Audit for our Aquatic Centres showed increased results for both sites, 96% at Maitland and 97% at East Maitland. The Aquatic Facility Safety Assessment provides operators with the opportunity to assess safety and risk management systems and practices against the Royal Life Saving Society Australia Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation as well as relevant acts, regulations, codes of practise, standards and other relevant guidelines.

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE WORKS

A number of upgrades were completed at Maitland Aquatic Centre including a second inclusive/family change room, reconfiguration of the turnstiles to improve access, safety improvements and general refurbishments. Maitland Aquatics also took over management of the Maitland Park Kiosk in late December 2020, providing an additional revenue stream and an enhanced customer experience through improved retail options and the opening of the Kiosk to Maitland Park.

Council collaborated with Hunter Water to develop sustainable irrigation practices that were installed at sports fields across the city throughout 2020 and Parkview Terrace Play Space, Thornton

2021. The new irrigation systems have centralised control on site with multiple moisture sensors installed in the ground. These sensors provide information to the control system to determine the level of irrigation required to maintain growth. The automated systems will improve sporting fields, ensure efficient use of water and provide support to local sporting clubs who maintain these areas.

Gender inclusive amenities upgrades were delivered to Shamrock Hill Sporting Complex Ashtonfield and Somerset Park Sportsground Thornton. Upgrades cater for women and girls playing sports and encourage participation.

Extensive feedback from residents supported the design and delivery of a new inclusive play space at Willow Drive Metford. The $134,000 project was delivered through the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play Program and Council. The new play space includes equipment for all ages and abilities, and new pathways from the road that also lead to new accessible picnic seating. The area provides an attractive and enticing space for the community and is complemented by the community art projects along the surrounding fences.

Heritage restoration works were progressed at the historic 1860’s Morpeth School of Arts building, located at 110 High Street Morpeth, to prevent water ingress and address rising damp.

Maitland Regional Art Gallery studio spaces, retail spaces and the stairwell area were refurbished, along with upgrades of the air conditioning to improve the ability to attract significant exhibitions into the future.

PLANNING

Council engaged with key stakeholders of the Maitland Rally Ground to inform the preparation of a management plan for the site. Council will consider all feedback in preparing the plan to guide the site’s management for enhanced use of the Rally Ground, located on the corner of Church and Railway Streets Maitland.

Recreation concept planning was undertaken to identify future opportunities for play spaces at Cooks Square Park and Cooney Park East Maitland, Hartcher Oval Play Space Telarah, Bolwarra Sports Complex, Bolwarra Lookout and Benshulla Play Space Bolwarra, Heritage Park Rutherford, Stockade Hill East Maitland, and Morpeth Common Play Space Morpeth.

In a unique partnership between the Maitland Regional Art Gallery and the University of Newcastle, First Nations students from six local schools worked with architecture students on a

project to design a welcoming landscape space in the Gallery grounds. The design is the first phase of the project, generously funded by Rotary Sunrise and the University of Newcastle. Once the designs are refined they will be presented to the Gallery for development and construction.

PROGRAMS

The Maitland Regional Art Gallery’s major exhibition for the year, Shadow Boxer, was funded by a $40,000 grant from Museums & Galleries of NSW. The exhibition used works from the gallery’s existing collection and commissioned new artwork to bring to life the rich stories within the Gallery’s collection.

The Gallery won two national design awards: the Museums Australasia Multimedia & Publication Design Awards in June 2021 for best Children’s e-Activities for the ‘MRAG Home Delivery’ videos created in 2020, and a winning Exhibition Branding Package award, for designer Clare Hodgins’ collaboration with artist Lucas Grogan on his 2020 exhibition Long Story Short.

Education programs were held at the Gallery through Free Art Sunday, artist talks and school visits, including Upstage theatre event for young people, a teachers professional development workshop, hosting of the IF Festival weekend workshops, Art and Dementia community days, and Free Art Sundays.

The Maitland Hospital - ‘conspicuous object’ website was launched to encourage community submission of stories and images of the Maitland Hospital.

The Gallery’s collection was boosted significantly with the introduction of the inaugural Contemporary Collectors 2320. This group of benefactors combined cash funding to donate works valued at over $31,000 into the collection. Other significant donations included a series of photographs by the artist Michael Cook, a major boost to the Galleries collection of contemporary Indigenous photographic works; a significant bequest from Gordon Elliott and Michael Eyes which will see major works enter the collection along with the establishment of a trust in perpetuity for the commissioning of new work each year into the Gallery’s collection, this bequest is the first of its kind for the Gallery; and over $700,000 in donated artworks via the Australian Cultural Gifts Program for the year. Maitland Aquatics celebrated season launches with family open days and held successful Australia Day events and two Dive in Cinema nights, as well as the regular squad, learn to swim and aqua fit programs.

Maitland Libraries continued to bring an inspiring program of insightful voices to the community through ‘Look Who’s Talking’ online programs and a complete day of streaming sessions of All About Women live from the Sydney Opera House. Young people stayed connected with community, culture, and the arts through a series of new workshops in art, drama, creative writing, and musical expression, taught by specialists in each discipline.

NAIDOC week was celebrated through the theme ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’, in recognition that First Nations peoples have occupied, cared for and maintained a strong and unbroken cultural and spiritual connection with the land and waterways of this Country for over 65,000 years.

As part of the 2021 NSW Seniors Festival, author Dr Pamela B Harrison held a free book launch for her book ‘Confined but Free! The Female Staff of Maitland Gaol in the 19th Century’ at Maitland Gaol. The publication aims to reveal those forgotten women who worked in the unique environment that was Maitland Gaol in the 19th century.

The public will have access to rich community narratives held by custodians of historical records such as Maitland Libraries, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland Gaol, Morpeth Museum and the Maitland Hospital, through an online digital hub. A grant of $487,000 from Create NSW’s Regional Cultural Fund was secured, enabling phase one of the digitisation project to be established.

The Community Grants program provided funding to 15 projects to deliver community development, cultural/local studies, leisure/recreation, and environment/sustainability outcomes. Recipients included Sunnyfield Disability Services for their Green Thumbs program, Morpeth Men’s Shed to upgrade disabled access and Maitland Family Support to deliver the Family First Aid Program. Two programs were supported under the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Grant, along with Anzac Day and Remembrance Day projects under the Commemorative and Recognised Days Program. Two recipients were enabled to represent sport at national level and one to represent artistic endeavours at international level under the Sport and Art High Achievers Program.

OUR COMMUNITY WANT To celebrate a range of community and iconic events together WE DELIVERED

The annual flagship event program was greatly impacted by COVID-19 Public Health Orders affecting events and public gatherings. The Aroma Coffee and Chocolate Festival, Bitter & Twisted Boutique Beer Festival and Maitland New Year’s Eve Celebrations were cancelled as they were unable to comply with Public Health Orders at the time. The Riverlights Multicultural Festival was delivered online and Hunter Valley Steamfest was postponed. In lieu of the cancellations, a program of over 25 COVID-19 Safe activities and events were delivered between December and February across the City as part of the Make it Maitland this Summer program. The program included outdoor and dive in cinema, aqua hire at Morpeth, and the Neon Nights / Summer Lights event featuring large scale lighting projections on three iconic buildings in Central Maitland and free amusement rides located at RH Taylor Reserve. The City’s Australia Day celebrations and Maitland Taste Deconstructed were delivered in a modified format to comply with health restrictions, with Australia Day Breakfast events delivered in four locations across the City. Maitland Taste was ‘Deconstructed’, or creatively pulled apart and served up over an extended area throughout Central Maitland in early May 2021. The event was held from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, with approximately 2,500 people attending the first night of the event.In February an Australia Open live site was erected at Turner Rest Park, Maitland, to broadcast the coverage of day and night play at the Australian Open. Through the Place Activation ‘Creative Streets After Dark’ program, grant funding was awarded to five projects at a total value of $36,788 to transform the city at night. ‘ISO-MOOD’ created by Stevi Cannon and Peter Sesselmann was an interactive sculpture that reflected the mood of the community, captured through a weekly question on their website. ‘NEST’ by Bridget Taylor provided a whimsical take on our diverse community that saw repurposed materials create solar lit homes that were attached to a deciduous tree in Central Maitland. ‘Shadow of the Day’ by Joshua Anderson was an exploration of shadow puppertry through installations in five shopfronts in Central Maitland. ‘Spatial Radiance’ by Karri McPherson was an artwork comprised entirely out of recessed aluminium lights, located in Central Maitland. ‘Live Laugh Light’ was an installation developed by a team of creatives that saw an interactive, illuminated bamboo structure woven around the existing architecture and street furniture in The Levee Shared Zone. All projects sought to reimagine and creatively transform places around Maitland through temporary and semi permanent projects. Throughout the year, The Levee Marketing and Activity Plan programs contributed to the night time economy and included seven LIVE at The Levee performances, two Foreign Film Nights and Staging Colours, featuring free performances every Friday night at The Riverlink, from mid April to the end of May.

OUR CHALLENGES

Progress was delayed on the delivery of Stage 3 of the Maitland Regional Sports Complex due to the impacts of COVID-19. The annual flagship event program was also impacted with the Aroma Coffee and Chocolate Festival, Bitter & Twisted Boutique Beer Festival, and New Years Eve celebrations cancelled, the Riverlights Multicultural Festival was delivered online and Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest deferred to 2021/22.

FUTURE PLANS

An extraordinary program of activities is planned to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Hunter Valley Steamfest, a Plan of Management is being developed for the Lorn Riverbank to improve access along with a precinct plan to guide the development of the East Central Maitland precinct, which includes the Maitland Regional Sports Complex, Maitland Regional Art Gallery and Maitland Administration Centre.

OUR BUILT SPACE

We utilise a variety of transportation options: walking, cycling, public transport, and have access to local and regional road networks. Our city provides a blend of housing including heritage buildings, inner city apartments and suburban homes, which are interwoven amongst the agricultural floodplains that make our city unique. We support our growing community through land development that considers urban needs, the local environment and accessibility to our villages and town centres.

Queens Wharf upgrades, Morpeth OPERATIONAL PLAN DELIVERY

OUR COMMUNITY WANT Infrastructure that is well planned, integrated and timely, meeting community needs now and into the future

WE DELIVERED

As part of Council’s long term strategy for the Thornton Road Network, critical infrastructure has been, and continues to be, delivered to cater for the rising population throughout the areas of Thornton and Chisholm. Stage 1 construction works were completed at Haussman Drive, Thornton, funded through the Thornton North Development Contributions Plan which includes a schedule of road works planned to address road capacity issues in Thornton. An online project page was developed that includes details on works completed, works in progress and identified future works to keep the community up to date with progress https:// www.maitland.nsw.gov.au/projects/thornton-roadnetwork.

Works for the upgrade of the roundabout at Chelmsford Drive and Metford Road Metford commenced in November 2020. The upgrade falls within works required to support the New Maitland Hospital and while the project is delivered by Health Infrastructure NSW, the design, planning and works were developed in collaboration with Council.

Stormwater upgrades to support the new Maitland Administration Building were completed, including a 340 metre section along Bent Street and Grant Street Maitland. The works included the installation of new stormwater pits and pipes and the reinstatement of the road surface.

New stormwater culverts were installed beneath Aberglasslyn Road, between Bingara Street and Avery Street, Aberglasslyn. Works included excavation, dewatering, installation of new culverts, relocation of utilities, new headwalls, reshaping of the existing ground surface to suit, road pavement and new road seal.

We continued to liaise with external parties for street lighting upgrades and installations in new subdivision areas, along with opportunities for LED lighting throughout the local government area. We advocated to public transport providers, Hunter Water and Transport for NSW to plan and coordinate future infrastructure and service delivery. OUR COMMUNITY WANT All residents able to move around the city in safety and with ease - on foot, bicycle, car, bus or train WE DELIVERED

Council received over $2.5 million from Local Road Funding, a State and Federal grant program focused on generating jobs, encouraging local spending and stimulating local economies. The grant supported the rehabilitation of Woodberry Road Millers Forest, Paterson Road Bolwarra Heights, Maitland Vale Road Hillsborough, Luskintyre Road Luskintyre and Pheonix Park Road Pheonix Park.

Road reconstruction works delivered a 550 metre section on Tocal Road Bolwarra Heights, between the Hilldale Drive intersection and the Maitland Vale Road intersection. The works included road straightening, new road pavement, seal and line marking, adjustment to adjoining driveways, stormwater upgrades, utility relocations and planting of new shrubs. Works were completed within a 12 week period under heavy traffic conditions.

Reconstruction works at Glenarvon Road Lorn and Lang Drive Bolwarra Heights were completed to create a smoother surface for road users and increased safety with new line markings, extended room for vehicles and improved traffic flow.

Monthly Local Traffic Committee Meetings were held and reported to Council, providing a forum for Police, Council, Transport Providers, and community representatives to discuss local traffic matters.

OUR COMMUNITY WANT Our unique built heritage maintained and enhance, coupled with sustainable new developments to meet the needs of our growing community

WE DELIVERED

Following community engagement on the future of Maitland Gaol, a Maitland Gaol Development Plan was developed to provide strategies to create an iconic tourism destination, driven by the site’s unique heritage, connection to community and innovative experiences. Additional roof

works and stabilisation of the chimney on the workshops building were completed this year, following approval for the reallocation of funds under the Crown Reserves Improvement Program. Future works will include the development and implementation of a new Guard Tower Experience, funded through a successful grant from Destination NSW. Private individual tour numbers improved throughout the year, however group tour numbers have not returned to pre COVID-19 levels. A condition assessment report was finalised for the built infrastructure at Walka Water Works Oakhampton, and consultants have been engaged to complete a ground contamination assessment. A review of the first stage of findings will commence in 2021/22 to inform the development of a site Masterplan and Plan of Management that will inform options for the adaptive reuse of the site. A grant from the NSW Government enabled the preparation of a Maitland Aboriginal and Rural Heritage Study to identify local places of cultural significance. The report, which is under review, identifies local Indigenous items and significant rural items. The study has included the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Aboriginal Community and an agreement with the Maitland Historical society for research and updating data on European items. At its completion, it will guide the preparation of a Maitland Local Environmental Plan amendment to ensure that heritage items in non-urban zoned areas are appropriately identified and mapped.

As part of the construction of the new Maitland Administration Centre, the heritage listed Maitland Town Hall is undergoing a full upgrade to remove unsympathetic additions and repair building fabric. The upgrade continues the works started in 2018 to improve the main auditorium and will include a refurbished public meeting space, new public amenities, new change rooms, a new stage loading dock and other improvements that will increase the usage of one of Maitland’s most iconic buildings. Community members were invited to attend guided tours of archaeological investigations that were conducted at the site of the new Maitland Administration Centre project. During December and January visitors explored field work findings which focused on 19th century buildings and structures. The research will inform heritage interpretation displays on the completed site. Conservation works for the historic Jewish Cemetery in East Maitland were largely finalised during the year, with ongoing stonework and restoration remaining to be undertaken. The site, which dates from the late 1840s, is one of the oldest cemeteries within Maitland, and one of the oldest Jewish Cemeteries outside of Sydney. A request for community submissions for new heritage items in Morpeth was undertaken as part of the Morpeth Heritage Conservation Area review. We received 31 submissions, 126 map comments, and held 2 community pop ups, with feedback helping to inform a revised listing of local heritage items under the Maitland Local Environmental Plan. Findings will improve the quality of historical information available for the area.

A city wide heritage incentive scheme is held annually where landowners and commercial tenants are invited to apply for part funding to undertake restoration or conservation works for heritage properties. The scheme ensures support and encouragement for the ongoing preservation of heritage items within Maitland. The program provides grants of up to $2,000 for conservation works on buildings or places of heritage significance in Maitland, with a total of $41,624 allocated across 21 projects in 2020/21.

OUR COMMUNITY WANT

Diverse and affordable housing options available for residents throughout all life stages WE DELIVERED

Development activities included the determination of 1,432 development applications, and issue of 512 construction certificates, 135 subdivision certificates and 417 occupation certificates.

Council finalised the rezoning of two key new residential areas, one at Wilton Drive in East Maitland, and the major new Urban Release Area at Anambah. In total these areas will provide for over 3,600 new residential lots over the next 15 to 20 years, subject to final development approval.

The preparation of a new Local Housing Strategy commenced, which will replace the current Maitland Urban Settlement Strategy and provide the strategic framework for how residential growth will occur over the next twenty years. All development applications were lodged electronically from 1 July 2020 through a Planning Portal. Significant reductions in processing timeframes (from 30 net median days to 21 days) was achieved with the implementation of an internal rapid assessment panel and other system improvements. This achievement resulted in Council being awarded $3 million in grant funding, which will be put toward the Public Space Legacy Program to be rolled out by the State Government. The continued significant growth of our city has seen a focus on the increased provision of community infrastructure, including pathways, play spaces, sports grounds improvements, lighting, etc. Council has over $250 million in projects to deliver for the community over the next few years and balancing new infrastructure with the ongoing scheduled maintenance of existing infrastructure will require a balanced approach to ensure community needs are met.

FUTURE PLANS

Work continues on the delivery of improvements to the Thornton Road Network, including sourcing funding for identified but as yet unfunded projects. In 2021/22 we will progress delivery of intersection works at Government Road Thornton and advocate to the State Government for the upgrade of Thornton Bridge over the rail corridor. We will also revise the Maitland Integrated Land Use and Transport Study to ensure alignment to State and Council land use planning, implement a range of actions under the Maitland Local Strategic Planning Statement 2040+ including a Rural Lands Strategy and Local Housing Strategy, review our urban design guidelines in the Development Control Plan chapter, and commence works the Maitland Town Hall to address issues of rising damp, removal of unsympathetic modifications and the overhead link to current administration.

Completed footpath at The Boulevarde, East Maitland

OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

We recognise that the Hunter River and floodplain make our City unique, and work together to manage the impacts of growth on our natural landscape. We connect with our natural environment for recreation and education, and value our local amenity and areas of biodiversity. We are aware of the impact of our personal choices on our environment, and take steps to prevent negative impacts, including waste reduction and energy use.

Maitland Park OPERATIONAL PLAN DELIVERY

OUR COMMUNITY WANT The potential impacts of our growing community on the environment and our natural resources actively managed WE DELIVERED

Activities continued for the second year of the Environmental Trust Grant to protect areas of Lower Hunter Spotted Gum Ironbark Forest. The grant enables Council to address the degradation of sites that are impacted by weed encroachment, human intervention such as track creation, and tree dieback.

A business case and technology review are underway to ensure a new waste transfer station and recycling centre at Council’s Mount Vincent landfill site is fit for purpose to support Maitland to achieve 80% diversion of waste from landfill as per the NSW State government targets. Council delivered urgent repairs to eroded cover on the landfill, commenced a review of weighbridge data and systems and improved the adminstration of waste vouchers.

Council resolved to join the Cities Power Partnerships, an initiative of the Australian Climate Council that seeks to celebrate and accelerate green energy and the sustainability of Australian towns and cities. The Hunter is the first region in Australia to have all member councils signed up. The program was created to have partners working together on climate change solutions, including energy management, emissions reduction, resilience and adaptation. An ecological consultant was engaged to undertake comprehensive ecological mapping and provide baseline data for urban heat across the city. Key project outputs include native vegetation mapping, wildlife corridors and habitat mapping, urban canopy extent and statistics and Local Environmental Plan, Development Control Plan and Greening Plan review and action recommendations. The final report for vegetation mapping and urban heat mapping will be delivered in 2021/22. Mapping data will also be shared with the community via Council’s pilot smart and sustainable city platform. An environmental health report on selected greening plan activity sites commenced with selected sites investigated, before and after photos obtained and statistics developed. A web based report card will be released to the community via a pilot smart and sustainable city platform in 2021/22. The annual stormwater drainage maintenance program completed works across the city, determined by catchment studies, condition assessments and customer requests. The program also improves environmental issues such as detention and water quality. The program is complemented by routine maintenance and the storm water management charge. A review of the potential to own and manage stewardship sites for the purpose of offsets trading is being investigated through a Resources for Regions grant which will deliver $300,000 in community environmental spaces. Ongoing environmental management activities continued through the Weed Action Program including the monitoring and reporting of algal blooms. Flying foxes were also a focus, with two reports to Council regarding the status of the Tenambit flying fox camp.

OUR COMMUNITY WANT Our local rivers and floodplains enhanced, utilised and valued

WE DELIVERED

The preparation of the Wallis Creek, Lochinvar Creek and Paterson River flood studies commenced, providing the first stage in the floodplain management process and establishment of a basis for subsequent floodplain management activities.

Grant applications were submitted for the coastal management program, and community education with respect to Hunter River riparian zone impacts (4WD access, illegal dumping and boat wash). Maitland City Council established a multi Council working group to identify the objectives, scope and governance framework for a Hunter Estuary Coastal Management Program and submitted a grant application to fund the preparation of the program. Council continued to assess the health of the city’s waterways through monthly water sampling and assessment of algae levels. Alerts continue to be issued where algae levels exceed recommended levels.