THE Hastings Residents Association (HRA) has called a public meeting to address ongoing concerns surrounding the delayed opening of the Wauchope Community Gardens, which remain in limbo.
The meeting will be held at 6pm on Wednesday 28 May at the Wauchope RSL Club.
It aims to update the community on the progress of the gardens and to shed light on what the HRA believes to be Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s failure to assist in opening the site over the past 18 months.
HRA President Greg Franks said the group has persevered through years of delays, legal threats and administrative hurdles.
“The community has been waiting for three years for its new garden to be built and opened,” Mr Franks said.
The issue dates back to mid-2022 when the original community garden, located on privately-owned land, was closed due to the sale of the site.
With support from several councillors, a new site was found on Council-owned land leased by the Scouts.
The garden group, initially backed by the Scouts, successfully secured a $225,000 NSW Government grant to establish new gardens at the site.
However, in 2023 – according to the HRA – the relationship between the Scouts, HRA and Council broke down.
The matter is now being referred to the NSW Minister for Local Government for further investigation.
“Council should be giving its full support to this tremendous improvement made possible by the State Government grant and the hard work of our volunteers.”
The HRA has formally invited the Mayor, Councillors and the Member for Oxley Michael Kemp to attend the meeting.
Council was contacted for comment but did not respond in time for publication.
By Luke HADFIELD
