Heritage Water Works’ $25m Holiday Park Plan

A heritage-listed water works site in NSW’s Hunter Valley will be transformed into a holiday park and tourist destination under a plan revealed by the state government.

The Walka Water Works near Maitland will be part of a joint bid for inclusion in the Regional Tourism Activation Fund.

The plan to revitalise the 64ha crown reserve land will cost $25 million.

It includes restoration of the power station building and chimney, creating 10 eco-cabins, 12 glamping tents and 40 powered caravan sites with a camp kitchen and barbecue area.

The eastern lawn of the site will be revamped and landscaped to be used for functions and weddings, and the miniature railway will be upgraded.

There will also be an opportunity for local businesses and services to use the restored power station building and there will be upgrades to the carpark to increase accessibility.

Walking trails will be upgraded and a central amenities building created.

The Maitland City Council and the Department of Planning and Environment—Crown Lands will manage the redevelopment while Reflections Holiday Parks will take on the operation of the site.

Maitland mayor Phillip Penfold said there was scope to do even more with the site, including redeveloping Walka beach and adding an education centre.

“Maitland welcomes 870,000 visitors a year who spend $123 million but we can unlock much more by investing in unique heritage assets like the Walka Water Works to diversify tourism,” Penfold said.

▲ The Walka Water Works site near Maitland in the NSW Hunter Valley.

The site is near Central Maitland's The Levee lifestyle precinct, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland Regional Sports Complex, Maitland Gaol and historic Morpeth.

Reflections Holiday Parks chief executive Nick Baker said the site’s location made it easily accessible to tourists.

“Walka Water Works has great character and Maitland could be a hero destination offering heritage, rural and natural attractions with scenic beauty, unique villages and flagship events within easy reach of Sydney, the Central Coast, Hunter and Port Stephens,” Baker said.

Reflections Holiday Parks manages 37 holiday parks and 22 public recreation reserves on Crown land across NSW.

The facility was built in 1885 and operated from 1887, first as a water works and then as a power station. The powerplant was decommissioned in 1976 and dismantled in 1978.

Interest in holiday parks in Australia has ramped up during the past few years, driven by the increase in domestic tourism due to pandemic lockdowns.

As well, many park sites have been eyed by developers as potential sites for redevelopment due to their locations—often on the coast, close or in townm and-or in areas of natural beauty.