That was the central theme of guest speaker, John Caldon's talk to the Rotary Club of Taree recently.

Mr Caldon's building company constructed more than 2000 homes during his career. He has also devoted a considerable amount of his private time in recent years to address what should be done about the entrances of the Manning River.

By working through a myriad of committees, and gaining the considerable support of local members Dr David Gillespie and in particular Stephen Bromhead, Mr Caldon has seen some results.

A Ministerial Enquiry has been conducted a Ministerial Task Force completed and a Ministerial Report has been tabled but not yet made public.

Mr Caldon said the Ministerial Report should call for an economic benefits study and scientific study of the entrances to see what is required.

He said it is likely the funding for the study will be provided and if 10,000 signatures of support are received, it will proceed.

"From a social, economic, environmental and cultural perspective there is a very, very strong argument that something needs to happen to bring us in line with other entrances up and down the eastern seaboard," Mr Caldon said.

The enormity of the work to achieve this cannot be understated. John and his team were strongly praised by all members of the Rotary Club of Taree many who are from multi-generational families of the Manning Valley.

Mr Caldon also spoke on Team Taree. He said last year $200,000 was raised from local businesses in 14 days to fund a group to change the narrative of Taree; to promote Taree as a lovely place to live and to get the place moving.

The 2021 Team Taree priorities are to leverage development wins such as Figtrees on the Manning, the transport hub, Iron Arena (basketball stadium), Taree University Campus, the hospital, the entrance to the town and the new Kolodong subdivision.

"There are 10 major projects on the books for Taree going through at the moment," Mr Caldon said.

"Team Taree is local businesses, local people putting their time and their money where their mouth is."

Mr Caldon said Team Taree sees it as an absolute necessity to have a navigable entrance into the Manning River for the prosperity of the town.

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