How to join the Association

Secure Land for Future Public Ownership The Cove has possibly the lowest level of public land of any urban area in Great Lakes region.  We did request gazetting of site opposite Hall as Community Land ("Village green: Yallarwah"). Currently this is categorised Road Reserve and council do not feel it necessary to seek gazetting. Doug met with Lisa Schiff and Paul De Szell in August 2017 seeking future planning for boat ramps, increased water access and parks etc without success. ONGOING.
What is proposed?  Objective: Negotiate with Council and Developers to ensure adequate reserves and water access are included in any future re-subdivisions and, where appropriate, when land is transferred to Council under Section 570 of the Local Government Act.

Children's Playground
The Hall Committee put in swings set and slippery dip. Heros Bay Management Plan included a Natural Playground. The need for level open play area was highlighted in the most recent survey. Yallarwah provides open space suitable for ball-play, kite flying etc plus a bicycle/walking track and embryonic bmx track. ONGOING.

What is proposed?  A low-cost, low-profile, adventure-type play area is perhaps the most likely option to be achieved. Preferably associated with picnic and bbq facilities. Location(s) to be determined.

Water Street water access Plan adopted by Council 22/2/2011. Note changes in the final recommendations. Drainage work undertaken but needs to be redone. CBP + BBP grant. Dinghy Racks COMPLETED. Small Dinghy Launching Ramp was expected completion 2014 then sometime in 2016 - completed 2017. Problems with drainage easement funding in 2016-17 deferred to 2017-2018 -  IN PROGRESS.

Public Jetty NAC is a tide restricted community without provision for the safe landing of passengers from small vessels or for the evacuation by water of the able bodied and the disabled in an emergency. Discussions with Consultants (March 2016) but not supported in final report. ONGOING.
What is proposed?  Objective: To pursue the acquisition of a facility for private boat usage to the following minimum specifications:
- To enable pedestrian only access to 1 metre draft vessels at MLWS (Mean Low Water Springs) without dredging.
- Although vehicle access to the jetty site would be desirable, this is not considered an essential requirement for a successful project.
- To provide low level landing access for tenders and small vessels.
- To provide short term berthing for two vessels up to 5.2m in length.
- To be located within the greater village area on public recreational land.
- To be sheltered from excessive waves, currents and boat wash.
- To provide low intensity safety lighting at night.
- To specifically avoid the inclusion of flood lighting, toilets, water storage, fish cleaning tables and rubbish deposits.
- Otherwise to be constructed in accordance with the NSW Public Works Department's Design Guidelines for Wharves and Jetties, August 1990 edition.

Community Precinct Council resolved in November 2008 to develop, in conjunction with the community, a master plan for the Hall site. A sub committee was formed in 2015 to attempt to expedite Hall site plan. Including proposed village green opposite. Submitted our plan to Council in December 2015. Included in Give us a heart project. Exercise facilities, BMX track, planting still to come,  ONGOING. Light up our heart project grant successful and essentially complete.

Proposed exercise facilities.
A "trail layout" with multiple pieces or groups of equipment spread at intervals around the circuit. The biggest capital cost will probably be the signs at each spot to describe the exercises involved! The actual static "equipment" that would be required is fairly basic and could be locally constructed. The proposal has had a letter of Council support for a grant application.

The intention of the proposal is to focus on exercises that were primarily aimed at the needs of the average member of the 50+ age group (the bulk of the Cove population) rather than those more likely to use gyms. But much of the "equipment" could also have appeal to kids. The exercise stations would address things like:

warm-up;
stretching & flexibility;
balance & stability;
upper body strength;
lower body strength;
cool-down.

And some of the exercises that would be covered on the signs require no equipment at all!
For example, the balance stability group & accompanying sign might include a selection of things like:

A balance beam that gets progressively narrower
A mini "see-saw" that you walk up and down as it changes with your weight
A set of uneven stepping stones
A rope-net "bridge" to cross
An exercise that involves standing on one leg (then the other) with your eyes shut and seeing if you can count to twenty.

The provided "equipment" along the lines of the above would run (in sequence) parallel to the main path.

Road drainage and widening Throughout the Cove drainage is largely inadequate, roads are deteriorating and road width is generally inadequate to allow vehicles to pass safely without moving off the sealed surface. Currently many of these issues are not even on the Council's 15 year plan. ONGOING. Work on several stages of the new Stormwater drainage plan now completed but some major works yet to be undertaken. Includes sealing of Merriwa west. There is now a small allowance for drainage in Council's forward plans for Capital Works. ONGOING.
What is proposed?  Objective: Keep Council aware of the pressing need for improvements to Cove roads and drainage.