The northern and southern entrances to Taree are about to become more appealing to the eye of locals and visitors.
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Several community groups and organisations are teaming up to clean-up and beautify the areas off the Pacific Highway at Cundletown and Purfleet.
Team Taree has brought Rotary and Lions clubs, MidCoast Council and Roads and Maritime Service together for the project, which will also see new signage installed at each point.
Nigel Ferguson, from Team Taree, is heading up the project. He said the project, the first of many for Team Taree, aims to instill pride in the community.
"These groups are working together to create something that's inviting and welcomes people to Taree," Mr Ferguson said.
"We want people to see the signs and go 'wow, these people really love where they live'."
Volunteers, armed with whipper snippers, chainsaws and rakes, held a working bee at the northern entrance on Sunday, August 30.
The areas in focus were near Manning Valley Anglican College and the future site of the Northern Gateway Transport Hub.
"We will get it to a point where it's easy to maintain," Mr Ferguson said before the working bee.
MidCoast Council handled the removal and disposal of the green waste.
The clean-up was just stage one of the project, with the new signs to be installed about one kilometre from the turn offs. Each sign will feature a glorious photo of the Manning River.
Work has also started at the southern entrance, with Team Taree to discuss the ongoing project with the Purfleet community, council and other organisations.
We want people to see the signs and go 'wow, these people really love where they live'.
- Nigel Ferguson, Team Taree
Mr Ferguson said input will be encouraged from all parties.
This positive direction from Team Taree will hopefully weed out gratuitous negativity that is rife in the community, primarily on social media.
"We're about action, not just talking about what we can do," Mr Ferguson said.
"We want to let our actions speak for itself."
Mr Ferguson said the project is 'just the beginning' for Team Taree and urged residents to keep an ear out for future announcements.
Despite the economic downfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Team Taree ventures will be well backed by local businesses.
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