Old council building site could become a car park and green space

A former Hunter council administration building could be replaced by parking and green space as part of a recommendation to the elected council.

Maitland councillors will vote on the future use of 285 High Street on May 19 after resolving in February to demolish the former administration building.

The council headquarters relocated to a new administration building a few doors down on High Street in 2023.

Council staff are finalising a development application for demolition of the old building, which will be lodged shortly.

The motion to councillors recommends endorsing an option to configure part of the site as sealed parking, with the remaining portion as landscaped grass.

It also asks the council to authorise the general manager to progress detailed design, costings and implementation of the endorsed option within an available budget, with any additional funding requirements to be reported to the council if required.

The preferred option would result in a net gain of 13 car spaces and the indicative cost of an asphalt finish to the hardstand would be $560,000.

Another more expensive option to maximise parking on the site was also included in the report to councillors.

The second option would cost an estimated $700,000 and add an extra 25 car spaces.

The council report said there was "continuing demand" for parking in the area, which would increase with the future reopening and of the Senior Citizens Centre.

It said a future car park could also accommodate markets, events, overflow civic gatherings or community activities.

The report noted the decision was not to determine the permanent future of the land, but to find the most appropriate interim treatment and functional use of the site following demolition.

The council would retain ownership of the land, and any use endorsed on May 19 may be superseded by a future decision if a longer-term strategic use for the site is identified.

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