The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (12:37): I move:

(1)That this House notes that:

(a)The Maitland Mercury reported on 28 October 2025 that Maitland City Council has issued an urgent plea for New South Wales Government funding to address the accelerating deterioration of the Walka Water Works chimney, citing safety concerns and visible loss of brickwork near the summit, with councillors voting on Tuesday 21 October 2025 to write directly to the member for Maitland seeking "urgent support and funding" to combat the "continuing deterioration and brick failure" of the chimney;

(b)a recent council inspection located "three to four small fragments of brick" at the base of the chimney and noted birds nesting in voids left by prior brick loss, prompting weekly inspections, and a chain-wire fence was installed in August 2025 to isolate the base area for monitoring;

(c)council is awaiting the outcome of a $5 million funding application, lodged in February 2025, to the Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program, REDCIP, earmarked to revitalise the pump house and undertake intervention works to address chimney deterioration, and council officers continue to engage with Crown Lands to secure strengthening works;

(d)while council progresses site maintenance and improvements with Crown Lands, securing major funds for the chimney remains elusive;

(e)an amendment moved by councillor Amelia Atkinson for council to allocate its own funds for emergency works "to ensure public and structural safety" was not carried, and councillors resolved to press the member for Maitland for urgent New South Wales Government intervention, with a report on any ministerial response due January 2026; and

(f)community concern is growing, reflected in public commentary and social media posts documenting gaps and crumbling brickwork, and emphasising that Walka Water Works is a Crown Lands asset, for which New South Wales Government support is sought to ensure the chimney's integrity and public safety.

(2)That this House:

(a)recognises the heritage and civic significance of the Walka Water Works precinct and chimney to Maitland and the Hunter;

(b)urges the Government, including the responsible Minister and Crown Lands, to work with Maitland City Council to identify and deliver immediate stabilisation works and a funded program for remediation;

(c)calls for a timely update to council and the community, by January 2026, on funding and engineering options; and

(d)encourages consideration of REDCIP and other State heritage and infrastructure programs to secure the chimney's structural safety and long-term conservation, while keeping the site safely accessible for the community.

Motion agreed to.