Men's Shed finally granted occupancy certificate

Umina Beach Men's Shed has finally been issued with an occupancy certificate for its new Shed in Osborne Ave.

The certificate, which allows the group to use the building, was issued on May 7, almost six and a half years after the Council approved the lease of the land to the organisation.

Issue of the certificate was held up last November, after Central Coast Council required a new development application to be lodged to allow the original carpark driveway alignment to be retained.

An opening ceremony planned for December had to be abandoned, and now is unlikely to occur before July.

"While the structure of the building and facility was completed several months ago, the Council insisted that the car park access and detail were addressed prior to granting the occupancy certificate," said Shed newsletter editor Mr Vic Brown.

"Their requirements for what is technically their car park were completed and finalised just recently.

"With the occupancy certificate now in place, the relocation from our existing Birdwood Ave Shed to our new Shed in Osborne Ave is now underway."

Mr Brown said the Shed's activities had been suspended for the next three weeks while the move takes place.

"The focus for members is now the clean-up and packing of the equipment and materials to be transferred and the actual relocation and installation of the machines, tools and materials.

"The new Shed once operational will provide a much better work and social environment than our old Shed - more space, safer and healthier in terms of the work areas and a large meeting room for socialising, supported by a modern kitchen.

"While our old Shed - the Little Shed with a Big Heart - has served us well, the new Shed with its greater space and modern facilities will brighten the lives of our members and provide increased capacity for projects and support for the community."

Mr Brown said the date for a formal opening had yet to be determined.

This would occur after the relocation was completed and the new Shed operational.

"We need to recognise and thank the organisations and individuals who have provided their support in delivering the new Shed.

"We certainly have a good number to thank.

"It's been a long and challenging project."

SOURCE:

Media statement, 24 May 2024

Vic Brown, Umina Beach Men's Shed

Two days cleaning the waters around the Peninsula

Marine clean-up group Clean4shore has spent two days cleaning Brisbane Water from Tascott to Woy Woy and the Rip Bridge, with the help of students from Terrigal High School

Gutter rubbish was recovered from the foreshores of Tascott Straight, according to co-ordinator Mr Graham "Jono" Johnson.

"There were plenty of small pieces of plastic food wrappings, soft plastics and bait bags collected from the mangroves opposite Tascott Station," he said.

"From the oyster shed to the Spike Milligan Bridge plastic bottles and oyster baskets were present, and gutter rubbish removed.

"In the Woy Woy Channel, more small litter and treated pine were removed.

The students removed stacked timber and foam mattresses close to the old houseboat near Lions Park.

Water police inspected the houseboat and advised they were "working with" the occupant.

An old fibreglass boat was removed from the sandy beach adjacent to the sailing club.

A load of 360kg of rubbish was taken to Woy Woy tip on the first day.

The western side of Riley's Island has received a clean-up on the second day, with 400 metres walked by the students before the tide fell.

"Three very full bags of small litter mainly plastic bottles, soft and hard plastics, balls and polystyrene were collected," said Mr Johnson.

"The southern end of Rileys Island was then walked with another two bags collected consistent with the past loads.

"A quick stop over at the Pearl Farmers work shed had the student shown the techniques to grow pearls, from oysters, in Brisbane Waters.

"Under the Rip Bridge into the corner were much larger quantities of soft plastic, plastic bottles, polystyrene and treated pine, all loaded into the barge.

"The volume was far less than expected which is a good outcome."

Another 100kg of rubbish was delivered to the tip.

SOURCE:

Social media, 16 May 2024

Graham Johnson, Clean4shore