And it cannot use the excuse that it hasn't got the money.

It had been revealed that the $1 million presented to the city by transport minister John Watkins in April 2006 has been sitting unused.

The original funding announcement was made five years earlier.

This project has been allowed to drag on for too long, without the sense of urgency it deserves.

Three studies have been done into possible homes for the heritage steam park - but to date not one single sod has been turned.

The heritage steam park has been touted as a permanent home for the city's annual Steamfest event.

Such a park would be a major drawcard for Maitland all year round, not merely for a long weekend in April.

Steamfest is one of this city's biggest drawcards.

Every year it attracts thousands of people from across the country.

But Maitland cannot rest on its laurels.

It must be pro-active in growing events, to make them bigger and better not only for visitors but also for the city's present and future residents.

Just as Parkes has the Elvis festival, Maitland needs events such as Steamfest to differentiate itself from the State's many other regional cities, all of which are vying for the tourist dollar.

The fear, of course, is that if nothing is done some other enterprising local government authority in NSW will step in and snatch the event, or the heritage steam park idea, from underneath our noses.

Steamfest chairperson and Maitland City councillor Peter Garnham's comment that he hoped there would be a resolution to the site issue before the September local government elections is somewhat extraordinary.

Do we really need to have an election to get things achieved in this city?

It's a pity that decisions can't be made on their own merit and without being bogged down by politics.