There was a good turnout today by members of the Narooma Men's Shed to meet Member for Bega, Andrew Constance on site at the newly announced home of the Shed. Since 2012 the Narooma Mens Shed has been leasing temporary facilities at 24 Glasshouse Rocks Road Narooma at a generously discounted rate made available by a local patron of the arts and community. To an audience of more than sixty the more than capable MC of the day introduced Andrew Constance, Member for Bega, the Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes and Men's Shed president Dick Nagle. On display were an artist impression of the proposed three sheds the Building Committee had prepared. There is an indication that Shed 1 and part of Shed 2 might be able to be completed with the monies held from unspent grants which were held in limbo until a new home for the group could be found. Mr Constance indicated that the group should look for additional grants to complete the stages from grants such as Community Building Partnerships. The next stage is for plans to be presented for DA approval Those present appreciated that the mayor acknowledged the local Narooma based councillors for their efforts naming Councillor Pat McGinlay, Councillor Phil Constable and Couincillor Lindsay Brown.
Mr Nagle also recognised the hard work and tenacity in pressing for a new home for the group There had been a building urgency to find a home for the group as their lease was set to expire in 2019. The Men's Shed, with around 50 active members had been lobbying Council to assist them to find a long term site for some time. A number of sites had been investigated including multiple site visits by council staff to no avail. Recently however, following correspondence with the Roads Minister, negotiations with RMS staff and the commissioning of a rental valuation began for the possible use of the site next to the Narooma Scout Hall. Though the land is adjacent to the corridor for a future Narooma bypass it will hopefully buy the Men's Shed some time before they need to concern themselves with being next to a major town bypass. At the December 2018 Council meeting it was agreed that Council approve a lease to Council from Roads and Maritime Services over Lots 1 and 2, DP 1068027, and a sub-lease to Narooma Men’s Shed from Council over Lots 1 and 2, DP 1068027. The General Manager was then delegated to finalise negotiations with Narooma Men’s Shed and Roads and Maritime Services and to take all other actions required to implement the leases including applying the Common Seal of Council to any lease documents.
