Joint statement: Reflections Holidays and Maitland City Council

The recent decision by Maitland City Council to prioritise the remediation of asbestos contamination at the Walka Water Works site has prompted Reflections Holidays to withdraw from its partnership with Council to deliver visitor accommodation at the iconic site.

In 2022, Maitland City Council, Reflections Holidays and Crown Lands partnered to pursue funding opportunities for the development of Walka Water Works into an iconic visitor attraction as outlined in Maitland’s Destination Management Plan. The partnership was successful in securing $10 million in funding from the Regional Tourism Activation Fund.

However, due to the extensive asbestos remediation work required at the site, Maitland City Council made the decision in January to request a reallocation of those funds to prioritise remediation over development in the near future.

Reflections Holiday CEO Nick Baker said the decision to withdraw from the partnership reflected the current status of progress and council’s priorities.

“We understand the focus and priority for Council for the next few years will be on remediation of the site before they are able to move towards establishing their vision for this significant visitor attraction,” said Mr Baker.

“As a profit for purpose organisation, with a commitment to quadruple bottom line outcomes, Reflections Holidays would have provided a great outcome for nature-based holiday accommodation at Walka Water Works, while attracting new visitors to spend their money at local businesses,” said Mr Baker.

“Reflections Holidays wishes Maitland City Council every success with obtaining grants for the remediation of such a valuable site,” said Mr Baker.

Maitland City Council General Manager Jeff Smith said discussions were continuing with the NSW Government, who own the site, to identify funding opportunities for the remediation works. “Reflections Holidays has contributed significantly to the project to date, and I very much appreciate their efforts and understand their decision,” said Mr Smith.

“Maitland City Council’s vision for overnight accommodation options at Walka Water Works has not been abandoned,” said Mr Smith. “We know the community’s priority remains the reopening of currently closed spaces on the site. We look forward to a future conversation about the enhanced uses of the site once remediation is underway.”