The $1.5 million extension to the Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre was officially opened on Friday, the result of a successful partnership between local and state governments, a non-government agency and the community.
The Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre (PBNC) is an incorporated, community-based, not-for-profit organisation which provides vital social and community services operating from council land and buildings in Elizabeth Street, Pottsville.
The centre runs several social enterprises such as an op shop and local markets, provides dedicated social services and hosts outreach sessions by visiting practitioners. Demand is high in all areas and before the construction of this building, the opportunity to deliver these services and outcomes were limited due to lack of space.
Tweed mayor Barry Longland congratulated the centre’s many volunteers on their enthusiasm and support for the centre, which is a hub for community life in Pottsville and a benchmark for other neighbour centres.
“This centre is a brilliant example of how a neighbourhood centre can work to truly benefit its community,” Councillor Longland said.
“I understand that in the neighbourhood centre sector, this facility is considered a stand-out nationally in terms of community investment.
“I’d like to thank the centre coordinator, Angela Maxwell and Rhonda James from the management committee, for the personal tour they gave me of the centre’s operations last week. I was extremely impressed at both the facilities and the community commitment evident through the many people who give up their time to volunteer here.
“In terms of the bricks and mortar, this new building came about after it was identified in the Pottsville Locality Based Development Code that expanding the services available at the neighbourhood centre site was of the highest priority.
“The expanded centre can now build on this community support and continue to grow to meet the needs of this thriving and growing coastal town,” he said.
Council provided $1.25 million in funds to establish the new building on the site, with the bulk of funding coming from developer contributions. The centre pays a peppercorn rent each year to council.
The PBNC raised $89,000 in cash for the project, and donated many volunteer hours to preparing the building and grounds for today’s opening.
Further assistance came from the NSW Government, who provided two grants of $84,000 and $100,000 respectively from the Community Building Partnership Program, to go towards a youth mentoring space and recycling shed.
Federal Government assistance has been provided through ongoing funding of the centre coordinator’s position through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
“I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the Member for Tweed, Geoff Provest and the Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot, in securing these funds for this important project,” Councillor Longland said.
“The importance of this extension is that it enables an increase in the capacity for the Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre to be inventive and entrepreneurial in running businesses to meet its operational and running costs, in order to be sustainable in the long run,” he said.
Designed to be energy efficient and include elements to support sustainability, the new building makes the most of natural lighting and cooling. It has roof and wall insulation, a solar power system and rainwater tanks.
The building provides spacious, light, and uplifting surroundings for workers, both paid and unpaid, and service users and visitors. The windows and verandas look out onto native gardens and lawn, which were established and are maintained by volunteers.
For photos from the Neighbourhood Centre opening please see pages 4 to 7.
