Port Macquarie’s Forgotten Paradise - WordPress.com Newsletter generously sponsored by Ferrymen Pty Ltd Advertise in the NSPA Newsletter email: [email protected] Port Macquarie’s

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Port Macquarie’s Forgotten Paradise

Northside Progress Association Inc.

PO Box 6182

Port Macquarie NSW 2444

Email: [email protected]

President: Narelle Milligan 65840152

Secretary: Kim Chilton 65849698

Treasurer: Alex Amon 65849698

From the President

Twice a year Council meets formally with NSPA to discuss issues relevant to the North Shore. Kingsley

Searle, our Vice President and I met in March with Neil Porter, the Administrator, Tony Hayward the Gen-

eral Manager and Jeffery Sharp Director of Infrastructure.

Of greatest concern were the blocked drains and flooding from the ti tree plantations. Council has agreed

to give us feedback on the progress of work already being carried out in the area with assistance from

their staff. At the following meeting of the NSPA it was decided to set up a separate sub committee to plan

a strategy.

The seriously deep potholes on Shoreline Drive were highlighted and we thank the Council most sincerely

for starting to fill them very shortly after our meeting.

We also discussed the pilot programme to undertake our own grass mowing in several areas close to the

River. This will be covered in another part of this Newsletter.

It was good to note that grading etc on Maria River Rd was started as the road was almost impassable .

Finally I wish to acknowledge the Commonwealth Department Families, Community Services & Indigenous

Affairs for their grant which has allowed us to purchase a laptop and software to produce this newsletter

and soon, to set up our own website to improve communications with residents of the North Shore. We

are very grateful and it has made the work of our volunteers easier.

Next general meeting of the NSPA will be held on Wednesday 17 June

at the Fire Station.

As usual 7.00 to 7.15pm for a “meet and greet” and a prompt start at

7.30pm.



A GREAT WEBSITE FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS AND JUNIOR

PRIMARY

www.crayola.com

GRASS MOWING PILOT PROJECT

When Council approached the Executive Committee to

undertake our own mowing with their assistance we had

mixed views. Why do we pay our rates?

Is this another scheme to shift the cost from Council to

volunteers? After much discussion and some very useful

input at the last NSPA meeting we decided to go ahead.

One of the most frequent complaints the NSPA has received

over the years is about the long grass in the children’s playground (Ferry Reserve),

”Kangaroo Park” – the open space opposite the Settlement Pt. ferry landing, and parts of the

river bank. We are also aware that residents along the river bank keep the grass down to a large

extent and several of our new residents mow Ferry Reserve. Over the past year or so, it seems

that a visit to this side of the river from senior Council executives staff has been the only way to

see some action from the Maintenance staff of Council.

FUN DAY

Monica Porte from the NSPA committee, and

on our behalf, has submitted a request to

the Federal Government for some funds to

run a community activity. Their focus is on

semi rural communities. Lots of suggestions

have been made and more are welcome! Just e-mail us [email protected] or phone.

Thank you, Monica, for all the time and effort on North Shore’s behalf.

Negotiations are under way for the return of a

newspaper delivery service to Northside



BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

A free book exchange will start in July at 13 Shore-

line Dr. Borrow a book, donate a book or do both.

There are murder mysteries, romance, some

Public Toilet

Construction of a public toilet near

Settlement Point Ferry will start in August

IN OUR BACKYARDS

Sightings of dingos, a

baby echidna and large

blue tongue lizards

remind us of the

wonderful environment

we live in. These animals

are protected by law.

Indian Mynas (not to be confused with the indigenous “noisy Myna”) have stopped

their breeding cycle for a few weeks so there’s no point trapping them. LandCare has

lent us a trap for the Spring and Jo Morgan of Riverside has volunteered to teach resi-

dents how to use the trap effectively. We are also enquiring about purchasing several

more.

Noxious weeds are taking over some rainforest areas and again LandCare will be

assisting us to tackle this serious problem.

Eastern spotted quoll





Captain’s Report The brigade has been quiet as far as fires were concerned. However, Brigade members have

been busy attending training courses in village fire fighting, crew leader, group leader,

air operations and crosscut chainsaw.

There has been a change to the way we conduct Tuesday night training.

The First and Third Tuesdays of the month will be dedicated to training and members who

attend these nights are expected to attend in full PPE and are reminded there is no consumption

of alcohol prior to training. The third and fourth Tuesdays will be dedicated to maintenance.

Now the winter months are upon us I would like to take this opportunity to remind residents to

take extra care with heaters and make sure they are clear of any flammable materials, wood fire

chimneys are cleaned, smoke detectors are working and the lint is removed from clothes dryers.

A reminder to all Brigade members :-

the AGM will be held on Thursday, June 21st at the fire station starting at 1800hrs.

I urge all members to attend this important meeting. We will be choosing a new Captain as I

have decided not to stand for another term.

Many thanks to all the Brigade members and to the many members of the community who have

supported me over the past 12 years as Captain. It has been a great honour.

We are at the station every Tuesday from 5pm. (Please remember to wear your PPE on the first

and third Tuesdays).

Anybody who is interested in joining or just wants to see what we do, is more than welcome to

come down to the station on Shoreline Drive, near the Maria River Road junction.

Kingsley Searle Captain North Shore Rural Fire Brigade

Please remember that the fastest way to call the brigade in an emergency is to dial 000



OLD PHOTOS

Do you have photos of the early days of the North Shore?

Jo Morgan, Bob Gerdes and Narelle Milligan would love to hear from you.

We’re starting a history of the North Shore which will include contribution from

Gordon Dick from the famous Dick family. Why?

Because North Shore was used for vegetable growing/farming at the time of the

building of the settlement in Governor Macquarie’s days. Indigenous people

utilised the area from Crescent Head to Northside. Yet, the published history of

the Hastings area has very little about us.

Mitch McKay of Heritage has been very helpful by giving us some great advice about how to proceed.

Documents

Port Macquarie’s Forgotten Paradise - WordPress.com Newsletter generously sponsored by Ferrymen Pty Ltd Advertise in the NSPA Newsletter email: [email protected] Port Macquarie’s