A new Holbrook men’s shed could be built with NSW government funding designated for communities affected by loose-fill asbestos after lobbying to increase the allocation for individuals failed.
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Funding of $5000 per premises demolished, topped up by $1000 from council, was announced for all 38 properties affected in Greater Hume Shire, with the state funding also having potential to go to community-wide projects.
But only 20 applications were received, leaving $113,421 left over from the total funding pool.
Council requested that more than $5000 be given to each applicant, but were knocked back.
General manager Steven Pinnuck wrote in his report for council’s upcoming meeting that a survey was conducted to determine what community projects should receive the remaining funds.
“Following the release of the survey, councillor (Terry) Weston requested that a portion of the funding be set aside for a project in Culcairn, given that two properties in Culcairn were also impacted,” he said.
“On the basis of properties impacted (two out of the 38), then an amount of $5970 could be allocated for projects in Culcairn.
“Residents had the opportunity to nominate one or more projects.
“The overwhelming support is for the construction of a purpose built Men’s Shed in the (Holbrook) Industrial Estate.”
Of the 101 surveys received by council, 59 supported the proposal to fund the Men’s Shed, with silo art and a public art project in Albury Street tying for the second-most popular.
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Other suggestions included infrastructure in Holbrook for RVs and the replacement of the rotunda at Ten Mile Creek gardens.
Holbrook Men’s Shed secretary Rodney Peters said the group had outgrown their current facility, an old railway goods shed on Wallace Street.
“It’s quite dilapidated; it would be nearly 100 years old,” he said.
“We’ve got no running water and no toilet, and with parts of the floor being uneven it’s hard for a few of our guys to get around.
“We have about 17 members, and because of the size of the shed we couldn’t fit any more people in.
“It would be very nice if we could get some money to build a new shed.”
Mr Pinnuck will recommend to Wednesday’s council meeting that council apply for $107,451 from the loose-fill asbestos insulation community assistance grant for a purpose-built Holbrook Men’s Shed in the town’s industrial estate, and $5970 for a project to be determined for Culcairn.
