Here is some information the community should know about. Through the Building Stronger Communities grant program, Old Bar has secured over half a million dollars from the State government for two major projects in the community.
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Grant applications can be a tedious process but fortunately, there are some locals who have the expertise to complete them.
The Old Bar Men's Shed secured a grant for nearly $100,000 to build a new shed on the western edge of the EG Trad Sporting Fields. This has allowed them to transfer their headquarters from Club Old Bar, which was necessitated by the construction of the new motel on the site.
After much hard work from members, the new shed is near to completion and Neil Cadden has advised Mid Coast Council's Sport and Recreation Committee that they are expecting an occupancy certificate from MidCoast Council in early 2020. As in all communities across Australia, this is a tremendous local asset so congratulations to everybody for a job well done.
The second project, worth approximately $450,000 was the result of an application by the Sport and Recreation Committee. This project will see the construction of two new all weather netball courts and seven storage sheds, to be sited north of the car park at Old Bar Reserve. It has been a challenging and frustrating time for the committee, but the wait has been worth it.
The construction of the netball courts has been contracted to a company with expertise in this field. The bushfires and delay on another project has meant that construction is behind schedule but the committee is confident they will be ready for the 2020 season. These courts will be a tremendous boost for the local netballers as they have struggled without a real home since the new school building was constructed.
The tender process for the storage sheds is underway with seven local builders having received the documents. Tenders close in early December and the successful applicant will be announced before Christmas. Construction in the early months of 2020 is hoped for.
The seven sheds will be available to Old Bar Festival, Old Bar Little Athletics, Old Bar Netball, Old Bar Pirates Juniors and Seniors, Old Bar Public School and Saltwater Boardriders Club. Two containers currently at the reserve can then be removed.
These facilities are indicative of the development and growth of Old Bar and surrounds. Thanks go to Member for Myall Lakes, Mr Steve Bromhead and his staff, who have given these projects their full support.
Joining for a cause
Vinnies and L J Hooker, Old Bar are again joining up to provide Christmas puddings to those in the community who are doing it tough and would probably go without a pudding this Christmas.
All you need to do to support this endeavour is to buy a pudding and deliver it to LJ Hooker. They are aiming to collect 200 this year, having gathered some 180 last year.
Helping our mates in Trundle
Old Bar is set to send some Christmas cheer to Trundle.
Trundle is a small town in the Parkes Shire, 421 kilometres west of Sydney and an approximate seven hour drive from Old Bar. As with many other small towns, they are doing it very tough in the current drought, with the latest bad news being the closure of their only grocery store, which means a 130km round trip drive to their nearest town just for basic food items.
Old Bar locals, Jan Wallace and John Norris have been in touch with John Southon, principal of Trundle Central School. John Southon does have a previous connection to Old Bar.
He advises that the school can no longer provide food for the students, due to the closure of the store.
Information has been prepared in regards to Helping our Mates in Trundle and placed on Face book as well as printed handouts provided to other members of our Old Bar community.
Jan and John are seeking donations suitable as Christmas gifts for some in the Trundle community. Suggestions are toys for babies and children of all ages; new clothing for children; non perishable food items and household products and a gift for Mum and Dad.
The response has been absolutely amazing, even phone calls from Newcastle, and many people advising that they either knew someone in Trundle or had lived there themselves at some time. A couple of personal notes written by family members with a request that these are delivered to the town. Also a great donation received from Cundletown.
Goods need to be delivered to 2/34 Mistral Place, Old Bar by this Friday, December 6 to allow pack-up and then transport on Saturday, December 7. Another Old Bar resident has agreed to drive the goods to Trundle using his own can and trailer.
Old Bar faced its own crisis with the fire threat only three weeks ago, and yet the community is backing this as well as being part of a big benefit night to be held at the local Club Old Bar for the local fire brigade - what fantastic people they are.
Pedestrian access on agenda
Old Bar hosted the first of MidCoast Council's community consultations on the Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan.
A small group of residents from Old Bar and Wallabi Point attended and took part in an interactive discussion with the team.
Richard Wheatly from council introduced the representatives from Stantec, Ben Cove and Alexandra Kavanagh, who have been engaged to develop a plan. Aerial photographs of the area were studied and many suggestions made.
It is not too late to have your say. Head to MidCoast Council website and complete the survey.
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