Valley Shoppers to Port
The Community Transport monthly shopper's bus service makes its first run to Port Macquarie next Thursday March 16.
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To date, it has been operating to Forster only, but following suggestions from the regular clients, Port Macquarie is now in the mix. Settlement City will be the destination this month.
The service was primarily for Old Bar, but residents of Warrana Village and Taree Gardens are now able to take advantage of this service.
If you wish to go, ring the Wingham Office on 6553 5860 before 1pm Tuesday March 14 to secure your seat, as numbers are limited. The cost will be $15.00.
The April run will again be to Forster and then to Port Central in May.
Health Expo This Friday
The Old Bar Men’s Shed, with venue partner, Club Old Bar, is hosting their second annual Health Expo on Friday March 10 at Club Old Bar. It will be open from 10am to 12.30pm. This is a NSW Seniors' Festival event.
There will be guest speakers and over 30 exhibitors displaying their products and services which are available to the community, many with giveaways.
The aims of the expo are to:
- provide a hub for seniors to access information about health, finances, legal issues, education and social activities;
- provide residents an opportunity to join a seniors' group and be linked to the community; and
- celebrate NSW Seniors' Week.
Support our Men's Shed and gain some information for yourself.
For enquiries, call Kylie on 6551 1200 or John on 6557 4165. Admission is free.
Chamber of Commerce
At the February monthly meeting of the Old Bar and Manning Point Chamber of Commerce, it was decided to canvas with all current and past members their thoughts on either winding up the Chamber and establishing a new group or changing its name to something like Old Bar Community Projects.
There has been concern among those that attend meetings that there is little support from businesses in Old Bar and none from Manning Point.
The majority of regular attendees are community members or from the Lions Club, Men's Shed and Community Technology Centre.
If you have thoughts on this matter, please email them to oldbarchamber2430@gmail.com.
President, Carole Isaacs advised that she has been given advice that the footpath from the CBD to the beach will be commenced in April but there is no confirmation in writing as yet.
The Christmas Bazaar suffered bad weather but was still supported anyhow. It will be held again this year with a date being selected that does not clash with other events, if possible.
The Chamber will go ahead with the purchase of a gazebo for use at various events and tear drop flags for street decorations preceding some events.
The mural project for the Coles car park wall is progressing with a quote for materials having been received.
It was decided to proceed with another area tourist map as it is now three years since the last print run. It was agreed to use the same designer and distribution process as last time.
The next major project that the Chamber would like to see undertaken is the refurbishment or replacement of the toilet block adjacent to the surf club.
Sand Replenishment Group
After having been advised that sand scraping could begin by the end of January, it has now passed the end of February.
No indications have been made of an actual start date, no costings or indication as to where the ‘sand scraping’ will be done.
We feel that the new MidCoast Council is endeavouring to achieve “sand on our beach”, and comes up against the same hiccups we have been striking for several years.
Minister Stokes has gone to Education, replaced by Anthony Roberts as Minister for Planning and Development.
However, we have been told that there may be a further change in that Coastal Management may now be returned to the Minister for Environment and Heritage, Gabrielle Upton.
A decision was to have been made Friday, February 17, but that didn’t happen and we checked again on Friday 24 and Coastal Management has still not been placed with any minister.
Another meeting was held with Gerard Tuckerman and Andrew Staniland of MidCoast Council on February 8 in an endeavour to clarify our position, which is as follows:
- Taree Coastal Zone Management Plan – now relates to Taree coastline with the exception of Old Bar and Manning Point - this Taree Coastal Zone Management plan is anticipated to be ready for submission in 18 months.
- Coastal Management Program – is now being prepared for Old Bar and Manning Point as a separate area because of their complexity. Council has committed $100,000 to be matched through the NSW Government Coastal program for the development of a coastal management program for Old Bar-Manning Point Coastline. This will particularly focus on the medium and long term management of this coastal compartment.
- An erosion analysis of Old Bar Beach and Manning Point Beach is being prepared by Ed Couriel of Manly Hydraulics (from all studies done over so many years) which should assist in establishing the absolute best method of protection for these areas. Release of this study is expected mid March.
- A speedy completion of this Old Bar Manning Point Coastal Program is anticipated. We are looking for the dredging of Farquhar Inlet for the tourist industry and restoration of some of our lost foredune.
- A disturbing fact stated by Gerard Tuckerman at meeting February 8 was that with the change of ministers, they cannot be confident of the ‘promised help from Stokes’ for sand scraping (which was assumed was financial) will be honoured by the new minister, whoever that might finish up being.
Gerard Tuckerman advised that he has commenced discussion and arrangements to have the development of a stormwater management plan for the Racecourse Creek catchment undertaken during the 2017/2018 financial year.
A six month time frame would be required to complete the plan and identify actions to address current and future issues.
It is anticipated the dune fencing will be commenced mid March with Work for the Dole participants and Manning Landcare involvement.
The sand-traps will be continued by the never tiring Barbara and crew. As always, Barbara is looking for workers. To help please contact Barbara and Ian on 6553 3087.
A very successful Bunnings barbecue was held last Saturday with volunteers Elaine Pearce, Bob Galvin, Pat Abdoo and Ian Dimmock managing to sell completely out of sausages and onions by 3.50pm.
