Fate of funding to be decided by popular vote

The fate of 17 applications for funding from the My Community Project in the Gosford electorate will be decided by popular vote.

Of those, six are for the Peninsula: Woy Woy Peninsula Community Garden, Umina Surf Life Saving Club, Mingaletta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, The Runway Park, Pearl Beach Memorial Hall and Pearl Beach Community Support Centre.

Local residents will be able to read through nominated projects and then vote on which ones they would like to see funded.

Voting opened on July 15 and is done through the My Community Project website.

Anyone looking to vote will need an up to date Medicare Card and My Service NSW account.

Voting closes on August 15 with the successful projects set to be announced in September.

Woy Woy Peninsula Community Garden has applied for $79,261 for its Phoenix Rising Project.

This project was nominated by The Peninsula Environment Group volunteers that run the garden.

The project aims to develop a new and improved community infrastructure blending into the residential area, enhancing facilities and storage at the community garden after arson attacks destroyed many resources.

The infrastructure will be a secure purpose designed building for storing equipment and resources, giving more flexibility for volunteers to access garden equipment.

Umina Surf Life Saving Club has asked for a new patrol tractor costing $22,500.

The Surf Club had to retire its previous tractor and now requires a new one for the next beach patrol season.

The purchase of a new tractor would allow surf club members to provide a safe means to transport for their equipment which they use in their daily patrols at the beach over the annual beach season.

"A tractor is one of the most valuable items of equipment playing a major role in the safety and wellbeing of members and community providing us the ability to deliver key lifesaving services and functions effectively and efficiently," said club president Mr Stephen Scahill.

Mingaletta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation has asked for $67,209 for a Community Transport Van

The staff wish to add community transport to their services to the Peninsula's indigenous community.

Mingaletta chairperson Auntie Dianne O'Brien said having a van would allow Mingaletta to provide access to distant health services for its patrons, transport to community and Mingaletta run events and allow staff and volunteers to initiate an outreach service.

The Umina Community Group has asked for $30,000 for a new shade structure for The Runway Park in Trafalgar Ave.

"Our project will aim to increase patronage of the park through all the seasons providing shelter from the heat of the day," said Umina Community Group member Mr Tony Winch.

"Youngsters will receive the health benefits of regular exercise, a safe play space under shade reducing the risk of exposure to harsh ultraviolet rays.

"The local community will benefit from the enjoyment of extra play time for our young children and families."

The Pearl Beach Progress Association has asked for $105,000 for Pearl Beach Memorial Hall upgrades.

The hall is extensively used for cultural and community activities including concerts, literary lunches, Anzac Day events, public meetings, yoga and other health programs.

By covering and extending the existing rear deck, an additional usable area will become available to enable more community activities to take place and meet the growing demand for such activities.

The project will commence in October 2019 and is estimated to take five months to complete.

Pearl Beach Safety Advisory Committee has asked for $26,830 for the Pearl Beach Community Support Centre

This project will support the set up of costs of the Centre.

The Pearl Beach Safety Advisory Committee has a volunteer structure in place, ensuring communications with external NSW Emergency Services in the event of emergency.

Establishing a Centre will enable Committee volunteers to assist the community with first aid and act as a meeting point in the event of disaster.

The Umina Beach Surf Club has also asked for $200,000 to make a wide multi-use pathway that connects Ocean Beach Rd to the Peninsula Recreational Precinct and caravan park access road.

"By connecting existing areas together with safe and wide pathways, it encourages our community to be active and enjoy Umina Beach," said Surf Club president Mr Stephen Scahill.

"This section will join two popular walks together to help create longer more interesting walks and rides.

"It will also allow the large number of visitors to the caravan park a walking path and bike track to explore the local area.

"As the project includes the construction of a path around the Club's adjacent carpark, using the existing curb area, the design and build will be completed by Central Coast Council." SOURCE: Media release, 15 Jul 2019 Ben Sheath, Office of Adam Crouch MP Website, 18 Jul 2019 Gosford Electorate, My Community Project Program 2019