The National Trust is advocating for a sustainable future for this regional heritage site.
Built in 1849 on Wonnarua land, the former Maitland Hospital provided essential medical services to Maitland and the surrounding communities of the Hunter region for over 170 years. Generations of local stories are woven into the history of the hospital and the patchwork of buildings that make up the site offer unique insight into the evolution of regional public healthcare from the 19th century onwards.
Perched high on Campbell’s Hill, overlooking Maitland city centre, the elevated position of the hospital enabled it to stay out of reach of the recurrent floodwaters that characterise the region. The building even managed to withstand the great flood of 1955, during which nurses clambered onto the hospital roof to watch the rapidly rising waters engulf the city below.1
In early 2022, a new purpose-built hospital opened at the nearby town of Metford, and the former Maitland Hospital’s operation came to a close. The NSW Government is now investigating possible future uses for the former Maitland Hospital.
The National Trust (NSW) is advocating for a sustainable future for the former Maitland Hospital, which contains several buildings of significant heritage value:
- We recommend the former Maitland Hospital complex is listed on the Local Environmental Plan
- We advise the complex is assessed for its heritage significance in preparation for any future changes to the site
- We recommend any buildings, items or elements of heritage significance should be retained and conserved
- We encourage that appropriate and sensitive adaptive re-use be considered. Well-designed adaptive re-use can breathe new life into historic sites, allowing for better heritage and environmental outcomes.
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