The recently established ‘Cabarita Beach/Bogangar Community and Economic Development Committee’ is set to conduct two public workshops to hear ideas from residents and business owners about the future of the village.
The first workshop will be from 9.30am-12.30pm on Sunday, May 6, at the Cabarita Beach Surf Life Saving Club and the second workshop will be from 6pm-9pm on Monday, May 21, at the Cabarita Beach Bowls and Sports Club.
The Chairman of the new Committee, Mr Nick Aldridge is encouraging all residents and business owners to drop in during a workshop and have a say.
‘We’d like to see people just turn up for half an hour or so with the family and have a sausage sandwich and a drink and tell us about their vision for the village’, said Mr Aldridge.
‘A number of projects have already been identified in a recent Community Plan and now we need local residents and business owners to help us prioritise these projects so we can make them happen’, said Mr Aldridge.
Some of the projects already identified include:
- Camp Wollumbin and Cudgen Lake;
- Integrated walking tracks and viewing platforms;
- Youth centre/facility;
- Coastal environment education facility;
- Surfing reserve;
- Representations of Indigenous culture; and
- Parks and barbeque facilities.
The establishment of an independent committee to liaise with the community and government authorities was a key recommendation of a Community Plan developed by Griffith University researcher, Dr Kerrie Foxwell-Norton, on behalf of the Cabarita Beach/Bogangar Residents’ Association.
The ‘Cabarita Beach/Bogangar Community and Economic Development Committee’ represents a diverse range of community groups and business interests including:
Cabarita Beach Surf Life Saving Club; Cabarita Beach/Bogangar Residents’ Association; Bogangar Public School P&C; Cabarita Beach Bowls and Sports Club; Tweed Coast Raiders Rugby League Club; and Cabarita Boardriders Club.
A Business Liaison Officer and Youth Liaison Officer have also been appointed to the committee.
“The support and encouragement that we have received from the business community has been particularly pleasing,” Nick Alderidge said.
“There is clearly common ground between the various community and business interests here in Cabarita so I am looking forward to seeing us all work together for the good of the entire village”.
This community spirit has already been recognised by government authorities with Tweed Shire Council (Community Services) and the NSW Government (Dept of Trade and Investment) actively supporting the upcoming workshops by providing advice and professional facilitators.
Financial support has also been provided by local clubs including the Cabarita Beach Bowls and Sports Club through the ClubGRANTS scheme. This funding will help employ a Coordinator to assist with the workshops and the development of a ‘Community and Economic Development Plan’ for the village.
