THERE have been plenty of attempts, some successful, many not, to get the capital works and services Nyora needs to meet established demand now, and also for an expected influx of 700 new homes in the town over the next decade or so.
When you consider that means more than doubling the size of the town, from the 595 dwellings recorded in the 2021 Census, to almost 1300, the authorities will need to get their skates on.
However, as much as planning for the growth of Nyora has mostly been a top-down strategy to date, there’s a new community-driven initiative to establish a Nyora Progress Association, or something similar, that has already attracted the interest of the South Gippsland Shire Council and a broad cross-section of the town’s organisations and community-minded individuals.
The establishment of the group will be formalised at a meeting in the Nyora Community Hall on Tuesday, October 7 at 7pm, and everyone is invited to come along.
“There’s been talk about getting something like this going for a while,” said Nyora resident Chrissy Evans this week.
“But it was probably the move to take the public toilets away from that park that was the catalyst.
“Families who bring their kids to the park to play don’t want to pack up and go somewhere else to go to the toilet,” she said.
Interested members of the community, including Ms Evans, Kerryn Heylen, Sam Shalabi, Peter Lay, Don Garnham, Gilbert Kelly, Daryl Smith and the three ward councillors; Nathan Hersey, Bronwyn
Beach and John Kennedy met last week to discuss Nyora’s needs and interest in forming a community progress group. And to set a date for the next meeting.
“The council is looking at developing a new community plan for Nyora and they’re delighted to see that there’s a group of people in the area who want to get on with it.”
Ms Evans said updating the town plan was the priority, but what should be included in the plan is up to the community, she said.
“There needs to be a new kinder and childcare centre located somewhere near the school as a matter of urgency. People are already drifting away for those services elsewhere, and sending their children to school in Loch and Poowong, and they’re staying there.
“We want to see Grundy Avenue widened, to the school and the recreation reserve, with work on the drains and a turning lane at the school.
“The hub is a real asset with the café, chemist, doctors and post office, but we’re going to need to attract more businesses, including a supermarket.”
Cr Hersey said it was the right time to be establishing a community group to lead discussions around planning for the future of Nyora and he encouraged all business owners, representatives of local community groups and interested individuals to attend the October 7 meeting.
“It’s a big step forward for the town, as the most recent Nyora community plan is 15 years old and there’s a clear need for strong local community leadership, particularly as Nyora grows and changes with new development and population growth,” said Cr Hersey.
“The initial working group decided on setting a date for a town meeting on Tuesday, October 7 at 7pm at the Nyora Hall, where a call will be made for nominations to form a committee, develop a mission statement and choose a name for the association, which will then go on to be incorporated,” he said.
“The meeting will be open to all local residents and community groups to attend.”
There have been similar groups formed locally, but this new organisation will have a focus on making the improvements the town needs now and also in the future as Nyora grows.
All it needs now is you.
