Men’s Shed grows despite objections

By Yvonne Gardiner

AN EXPANSION of the Pottsville and District Men’s Shed has been given the green light by Tweed Shire Council, despite the increase in size being judged “excessive” by council officers.

A council report stated that, while an expansion of the Men’s Shed was supported, the size and scope of the proposed extension was “considered excessive and inconsistent with the existing master plan and other strategic documents”.

This was due to the inclusion of a mezzanine area above the proposed extension, and also the enclosure of a current outdoor covered area.

The current proposal would extend the shed to a floor area of 586 square metres.

In assessing the application, councillors were advised that there were social benefits associated with the Men’s Shed and with the use of the site by other groups.

“There is a risk to council’s reputation in varying commitments made during the master planning development and adoption,” the council report read.

“A smaller scale expansion of the Men’s Shed is considered a better balance of recreation, environmental, social and other factors and minimises any risks.”

An amendment put forward by Mayor Chris Cherry at council’s meeting on Thursday, February 16, failed to gain support.

Mayor Cherry proposed that council not support the proposed two-storey extension in its current form, and invited the Men’s Shed to submit revised plans for the proposed extension at a reduced scale.

Mayor Cherry and Cr Nola Firth opposed the shed expansion application as it stood, while the remaining five councillors voted in favour.

Cr Firth said the master plan had been created with a lot of consultation with the Pottsville community.

“I think to just ignore that sets a precedent that’s not at all wise,” she said.

“I do know that the Men’s Shed people are doing wonderful work but that’s not actually the issue here.”

Cr Warren Polglase said master plans were “fluid” documents.

Cr James Owen said the Men’s Shed members were role models for young people.

“I’m a huge supporter of the Men’s Shed. They do a fantastic job for the community,” he said.

“They keep growing. That’s just a mark of the quality of the way they run what they do.”

Mayor Cherry was also supportive of the work of Pottsville Men’s Shed, which currently has about 100 members.

“I think they do an incredible job. I do certainly support an extension on this site,” she said.

Mayor Cherry objected to the size of the expansion when the master plan was less than two years old and involved much community consultation.

“I don’t think that’s very good governance, to just do something that’s incon-