Maitland Leave was recently named the best civic landscape in the country by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects whilst also receiving a commendation at the Australian Urban Design Awards (Delivered Outcome - Large Scale). Maitland Levee is Maitland City Council’s regeneration masterplan, aimed at creating an attractive and vibrant heart for Maitland to regain its position as the major regional centre in the Lower Hunter Region of New South Wales. Maitland Mayor Loretta Baker said the award was an “excellent” endorsement of the reinvigorated shopping strip. “I hope commercially it does encourage others businesses to come to the river,” she said. “I think (the result) will encourage people to use the river and surroundings more.”