The Maitland Destination Management Plan 2030 (DMP) identified the need for better shared pathway connections between Morpeth, Central Maitland and other areas across the LGA. Residents also highlighted the need for improvements to our pathway network via our Community Satisfaction Survey. Following this feedback, we have developed a revised route for the Morpeth to Walka shared pathway, prioritising scenic and tourist outcomes as part of the new designs.

Council has developed new proposed designs for the Morpeth to Walka shared pathway which will link several hotspots across the city including Morpeth, Central Maitland and Walka Water Works. Previously, a preferred route stretching from Belmore Bridge to Walka Water Works was put to Council in January 2024. Following community feedback on these initial designs, Council conducted an in-depth assessment of alternative options and revised the proposed route to deliver the best possible outcome for the people of Maitland.

Some path segments have also been constructed, including the Illalung Park to Robert Street path, Steamer Street pathway and Morpeth Road loop at Morpeth as well as an extension of The Levee shared path from Hunter to Bella Street, Horseshoe Bend.

The preferred route recommended by Council for public exhibition can be viewed on Maitland Your Say. The path prioritises off-road routes with key locations including:

• Queens Wharf

• Steamer Street, Morpeth

• Brush Farm Road, Raworth

• Pitnacree Road, Pitnacree

• Furber Street, East Maitland

• Old High Street, Maitland

• Maitland Sports Precinct

• Radford Street, Horseshoe Bend

• Riverside Walk, Maitland

• Belmore Road/High Street, Maitland

• The Long Bridge, Maitland

• Oakhampton Floodway

• Oakhampton Road, Oakhampton

• Sempill Street and Powerhouse Control, Oakhampton

• Walka Water Works, Oakhampton Heights

• Waterworks Road, Rutherford

Over 600 land parcels are located in close proximity, adjacent to or may be impacted by the proposed route alignment. The elimination of state and local government-owned parcels and consolidation of multiple land holdings resulted in 342 landowners being notified of the potential route alignment.

The proposed design uses existing Council roads and lands for the route alignment. Forty-two parcels among 35 landowners have been identified for potential acquisition to support the proposed pathway. Steps have been taken to minimise the amount of land acquisition required by running the pathway parallel to existing land boundaries rather than cutting through or across properties. The quantity, scale and impacts of any land acquisition will be discussed with individual landowners.

A section of the previous preferred route between Belmore Bridge and Walka Water Works was reported to Council in January 2024. We listened to community feedback and concerns from impacted property owners about the route before we conducted an in-depth assessment into alternative options. This has resulted in the identification of a new preferred route, currently on public exhibition. As part of this process, we prioritised avoiding sensitive environmental and heritage items/areas, minimising the segregation of land parcels and where possible, avoiding construction on critical Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme embankment infrastructure.

We encourage residents to have their say and submit feedback on the new design before Tuesday 7 October 2025.

As the project is currently unfunded, a construction timeline cannot be confirmed at this stage. We will actively seek funding opportunities to support this project and will advise the community when a timeline has been established.

There are several reasons why the new proposed route does not follow the riverfront. The route was designed to avoid environmentally sensitive areas along the riverbank, including sections of native vegetation, Endangered Ecological Communities (EEC) and potential heritage items or sites. The riverbank is also steep and a pathway in this area would require further construction, such as retaining walls, to ensure it was compliant while its proximity to The Levee would mean a higher risk of being impacted by floods.

The Morpeth to Walka shared pathway project was originally identified in the Maitland Destination Management Plan 2030 (DMP), following extensive community feedback. It will link the priority destination hubs of Morpeth, Maitland Gaol, Central Maitland and Walka Water Works. The path does not directly connect to Maitland Gaol but passes in close proximity to the site. Existing path linkages are present to facilitate access to Maitland Gaol from the proposed shared pathway route.

Budget estimates suggest the project will cost around $13 million to deliver.

This value is pending results from the public exhibition period and final approval of the proposed route. Council will actively seek grant funding opportunities to support this project, and a construction timeline will be established once funding is secured.