1. Safety First
Support for better lighting, CCTV and traffic calming measures to improve safety and reduce antisocial behaviour.
Maitland City Council has been awarded $1 million under the reVITALise – Public Transport Precinct Vibrancy Grant, funded by the NSW Government.
This funding will enable the delivery of place-based improvements at Maitland Station and its surrounding area with the aim to create a safer, more welcoming and vibrant transport hub precinct, build seamless connectivity for the first and last mile journeys and activate the Maitland Station precinct.
To shape a place-led, community-informed concept plan for the Maitland Station precinct, Council undertook a staged and inclusive engagement process between February and April 2025. This was followed by a concept testing workshop in September 2025 where participants were invited to provide feedback to help validate the project’s design direction before moving to implementation.
Concept testing
Concept testing workshop summary
On 24 September 2025, Council invited participants from earlier engagement sessions to a concept testing workshop for Next Stop: Maitland. The workshop gathered community feedback to help validate the project’s design direction before moving to detailed design and implementation.
Participants reviewed draft concepts, key features, technical findings, and potential benefits and challenges, and were asked if they supported the design and wanted to stay involved in future stages.
Overall feedback
Participants expressed strong and consistent support for the concept, with most agreeing or strongly agreeing that it will improve the vibrancy, safety, comfort, and visibility of the precinct.
Below are a list of the key themes raised:
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2. Inclusive seating
Desire for more seating with backs, armrests and shade to ensure comfort and accessibility for all users.
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3. Smart lighting
Enthusiasm for programmable lighting that reflects events and seasons while enhancing night time appeal.
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4. Tech-enabled comfort
Interest in features such as charging stations, smart lighting, CCTV and digital storytelling to enhance usability.
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5. Low-maintenance design
Preference for graffiti-resistant materials and durable finishes that remain attractive over time
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6. Vibrant activation
Strong support for regular events, markets and pop-ups to bring the space to life and improve safety through activity.
In their own words
Previous engagement
What we heard
What we heard
We heard that the community wants:
- A safer, more pedestrian friendly environment
- A vibrant and welcoming arrival experience
- Clear and engaging visual and physical connections to key city destinations
- Improved activation, lighting, and identity driven placemaking
The community expressed that the funding should be prioritised to three key locations:
- Maitland Station entry
- Railway, Church and Elgin Street connection points to Maitland Station
- Connection to Maitland Park
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1. Pedestrian safety
Need for improved crossings, traffic calming and reduced vehicle dominance, particularly near Elgin Street and Church Street.
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2. Lighting and visibility
Strong support for creative and functional lighting to improve safety and enhance atmosphere after dark.
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3. Wayfinding and connection
Calls for clearer, more intuitive pathways linking the station to Maitland Park and the CBD.
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4. Green and welcoming spaces
Greening, trees and landscaped areas were seen as critical to comfort and visual appeal.
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5. Public art and identity
A desire to reflect Maitland’s unique identity through murals, interpretive signage and creative installations.
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6. Activation and use
Interest in flexible spaces, pop-up activities and design features that encourage everyday use and passive surveillance.
* Images are for inspiration only and have been provided as a visual reference to illustrate the type of intervention being explored. Final design and outcomes may differ and will be subject to community input, feasibility and further design development.
In their own words
In their own words
What's next?
What's next?
Council will refine the concept based on community feedback and technical feasibility before sharing the updated design.
Over the comin year, the project will progress through detailed design and into delivery, with on-ground improvements to enhance the precinct’s appeal, safety and usability.
