Focus on Merimbula Merimbula Chamber Initiative Facilitator- Orit Karny Winters - Region President Capital Far South Coast NSW Business Chamber

The aim of the Focus sessions was to find out though chamber and community what will the future of Merimbula be in the eyes of community. To identity possible directions and projects to moving forward and finding what does the community want?

The information collected provided projects scopes and options for collaborative of moving forward.

The invitation was not limited to business as other opinions and view from community is required to create ownership of outcomes

Advertisement and promotion was on radio, Merimbula News, members, members email, personal invites to business and community groups and social Media

NOTES:

Facilitating the process as an outsider has given me the ability to collect the data without the internal politics that exist as a natural process in every community or community group – Orit

Leading by - James Smith (President) and Julie Novotny (Secretary)

Notes taken by Our Merimbula Chamber

Picture credits – Julie Novotny

Initiative by – Orit Karny Winters by invitation

Facilitating, collection information and reporting by - Orit Karny Winters

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. Box 91, Merimbula NSW 2548

Email | Facebook | Website ABN: 28 223 410 500

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The process The process was mostly welcomed in a positive outlook attendance was between 12 to 30 in sessions and online responses.

4 session were booked by chamber in the local club with an open invitation to community groups and the general public.

13/10/2016 – information gathered, 27/10/2016 – discusses option, 10/11/2016- projects outline and identifying possible stakeholders.

And the forth - report session through Our Merimbula Chamber at an open Chamber meeting and identifying how to move forward.

Session 1 In the first focus session it was asked of the attendees to say why it's great to be in Merimbula.

The idea was to regroup the thinking based on the town assets and start with a positive point.

It was important to create the positive point first as positive thinking creates the change and leads to solutions.

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P1- What is great about Merimbula –

Some amazing benefits of the town were brought up:

• LOCATION o Great micro climate and friendly community o Great Nature reserves, forests and national parks, bike track / walking track, the Board

Walk, pristine waters, awesome beaches

o Halfway between Melbourne & Sydney

• POPULATION o Smaller community than other towns on the coast

• COMMUNITY

o Great retirement area o Lot of volunteers wanting to improve the area o Safe area - lower crime than bigger cities o Friendly welcoming community - no large segregation between locals and new comers o Local Fire, Police, Ambulance, Marine Rescue

• TOURISM

o Plenty of fun holiday activities for tourists o Water Sports, Surfing, Diving, Fishing, Whale watching o Magic Mountain, Mandeni, Potoroo Palace, On The Perch - Tathra, Pambula - nature

reserve, Jigamy Farm, The Bundian Way, Wharf Golf Clubs, Bowling Club, Picture Theatre, Oyster Farms, National Parks

o Active Visitor's Centre o Great walking tracks and bike tracks o Large choice of accommodation including caravan parks, motels, hotels, units, private

homes, guest houses, museums

• EVENTS o Markets every weekend at different locations around the area Yearly events, like the

Jazz Festival, Eat Merimbula, Pambula Motorfest, Orchard Show, Fishing Comps, Mambo Festival

o Fun Run are all growing each year

• EATERIES o Large clubs like the 2 Golf Clubs, The Bowling Club & RSL Club Great seafood

restaurants and other wonderful restaurants. Plenty of local cafes and eateries to choose from

o Award winning Oysters & seafood that are exported around the country

• RETAIL o Variety of boutique and chain stores to choose from o A lot of independent stores with great variety and customer service

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• HEALTH o Lots of healthy fresh food choices with growers markets as well as locally produced

foods and health food shops o Great choice of alternative therapy's throughout the local area Choice of medical

centres and new hospital at Bega o Physio and Chiropractors o A number of Gyms, Fun Run o Indoor Swimming pool at Pambula o Local Ambulance, Active Surf lifesaving club o Good Disability services out at Bega, Meals on wheels, home care, work ability

• EDUCATION

o Good Schools and a number of pre-schools o Sporting and Dance clubs o Lot of Artists and artistic opportunities in the area o Bega Valley Regional Learning Centre for business courses and use of the business o community and includes a Training school for Hairdressing and pop up library o New Library at Tura Beach o Tafe at Bega & University at Bega allow students to stay local for certain training o Bega Hospital is also Training Hospital

• VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

o Information Centre, Lions Club, Rotary, View Club, Chamber of Commerce, U3A

• CLUBS & ACTIVITIES FOR LOCALS o U3A Club for over 55yr olds o Lions, Rotary, Artist Club, Writers Club o Fishing Club, Golf Clubs, Gyms, Swimming Club, Bird Watching Club, Genealogy Club

Skate Parks, Bike Track, Mini Golf, Walking, Running Club, Water Activities, Diving, Snorkelling

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P2 - What if nothing changes? How will Merimbula be in 15 years?

The Encouragement was good or bad; please share your views - notes taken from group -

• TOWN PLANNING o Drive through town o Disjointed & unplanned, stagnant, old, underdeveloped, crumbling buildings o Lake will be polluted - Sewerage needs to be updated - this will affect the whole

economy o Algae blooms in high seasons due to warmer temps and pollution - downgraded in town

Lack of local facilities - e.g. Toilets o Overdeveloped - Larger version of current town - end up looking like Bateman's Bay o Poorly maintained roads

• POPULATION

o More People o More Retirees o People will move away because not enough full time employment Greater diversity of

cultures because of influx of nationalities Serious drug problems & unemployment of youth

• COMMUNITY o Segregation - not working and thinking as a community o A lack of sense of community o Lack of services due to lack of maintenance within the community, People will move

away because of unemployment etc...Chain of events due to no improvements o Lack of consultation between council and rate payers. State govt. change what the local

govt. have approved - always interfering therefore decisions take way too long to approve

• TOURISM o Increased Tourism - Bigger hotels - multi nationals investing in the town o Focus on Tourism - Larger version of today, similar to Bateman's Bay & Gold Coast o Place could fade as a tourist destination as we are not open when they are in town - i.e.

weekends / boat in Eden etc... Shops close ! !

• EVENTS o Events will become larger and more popular thus drawing more people to the area o Events will fizzle out if there is no willing hands to assist in the running and contribution o Events to be developed and improved to go with the times

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• EATERIES o Decline in the quality of the food - lack of consistency due to lack of training of staff

• RETAIL

o Small shops won't survive - Larger Chain Stores will take over and reduce the point of difference

o Developed by larger developers with only their own interests at stake and no consideration for the independent business as is the norm in Bateman's Bay

o Retailers will close their doors due to poor maintenance on some of the shops o Retailers will suffer because of the off season times. Need to attract out of season

tourists

• HEALTH o Longer travel distances for specialist treatments - i.e. Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne,

Longer waiting time at hospital. Needs improvement - Need more specialists o Lack of readily available GPs and Specialists, Dentists, Physio. Need better customer

service

• VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES – need younger crowd

• CLUBS & ACTIVITIES FOR LOCALS – more

• TRANSPORT o More Traffic o Continual lack of public transport, lack of parking

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P3 - What vision do you have for the town?

• TOWN PLANNING o Not over commercialised, no high rise, no large shopping centres or chain stores

More public toilets o Bustling, cultured o Sympathetic Development - No High Rise buildings o Well maintained roads and footpaths walking tracks & bike tracks throughout the

connecting towns o Drinking fountains with water bottle refilling o Paved Mall in town o Solar lighting & Renewable energy o More bike ways and better access around the lake - walking track around the lake -

wider boardwalk o Continued recognition and care for the natural environment - maintenance and

innovation of waterways, forests, waste management More green spaces o Road from behind the tip at Tura along the ridge line to bypass Merimbula (Behind

Magic Mountain) o Link road from Mirador to Merimbula o No power lines in the main street o Move the airport instead of re-surfacing it - with Global Warming, it will end up under

water as a fish bowl ( ?)

• POPULATION o Growing population, Younger demographics, more families Encouraging younger

families to the area

• COMMUNITY o Better networking amongst larger groups. Less fractured. Better unification between

local communities o We need to change the image from 'Retiree community' with seasonal family holiday

location' Vibrant, interesting place to live and visit

• TOURISM o More boats in Eden bringing tourists to Merimbula Major marketing opportunities with

cruise ships Adventure Tourism o Year round tourist events

• EVENTS

o More events and festivals - Lantern festival/workshops, street fairs, markets, local produce markets

o Improve and update the Jazz Festival to include younger people o More events for younger people - social events - barn dances

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o More festivals, buskers, and smiling faces o Common EVENTS calendar

• EATERIES

o Broader spectrum of eateries with a point of difference - how do we educate them to do this

o Longer trading hours, especially in tourist season. Later night opening for locals that want to dine out - rotate late nights amongst the local eateries

• RETAIL o More Boutique independently owned stores o Cheaper rents and better maintenance. Better communication with landlords and more

reasonable charges

• SPORTS o Climbing Centre o Improve the indoor swimming centre, better ventilation, baby changing facilities o Extra sporting facilities o Trampoline Club

• HEALTH

o Larger all in one Health Facilities utilising the Green Field. Chemist, Naturopath, GP, X-ray etc... one stop health facilities similar to Moruya (Red Shed)

o More nurses and doctors at the Bega Hospital. Shorter waiting hours at Emergency Centre

o Local Red Cross - Blood Bank

• EMPLOYMENT o Local Industry to offer more employment

opportunities o Better IT & IT industries to attract more

younger workers & families to the area

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P4 - What does the town need in your eyes?

• LOCATION/COUNCIL o Need a much better communication System IT - NBN o Not enough footpaths throughout the area o Diversity in Industry o Big Thinking, like this one o More collaboration between rate payers, local council, State and Govt. depts. Local

control over development - should not be State Govt. o Top Pub in Pambula - the road on the pub side is dangerous - The storm water drain in

not safe o Gutters are too high in Pambula - need a ramp gutters at selected points along the road

for prams and elderly people o Need a pedestrian Island on the main road in Pambula o Long term joint planning o Town planning based on vision o Not enough Public Toilets o Quicker DA Approval - 15yrs to get a DA Approval? Set up community polling on what

the public want o Power in numbers o Addressing population growth

• COMMUNITY

o Unification & co-operation between local areas o Unification & co-operation between clubs and groups Community Engagement -

unanimous voice o Future orientated - diversity economic change o Not enough positivity o Leadership - not enough get up and go - maybe a suggestion box, website, email (But

we already have the Chamber website and Visitor information site)

• EMPLOYMENT o Full time jobs o Jobs for young people o Commitment to encourage retention of young people

• TOURISM

o Not enough selling of the local area Building the area internationally

• EVENTS o More sporting events - annual competitions More major events

• EATERIES

o Higher standard within some of the food outlets Later opening hours

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o Sat afternoon and Sunday operating hours

• RETAIL o Visitors are seasonal - businesses have to 'Adjust' Need more out of season visitors

• HEALTH

o All in one health centre o Local specialists - too many trips to the Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne for specialist

treatments

• EDUCATION o More Education Institutions o Accreditation Centre, particularly in tourism & Hospitality A co-working space under

Tura Library o Public High School in Tura / Merimbula o Support for innovation o Better Tafe opportunities - On-line study

• VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

o More younger volunteers needed for Chamber and local community groups

• CLUBS & ACTIVITIES FOR LOCALS o Entertainment for younger generation

• TRANSPORT

o Fast train line o Link to Canberra for flights from airport

• REAL ESTATE

o Reasonable rental charges For Commercial &

holiday rental

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Session 2 In the second focus session it was asked of the attendees to read the notes from session 1 and identify/think of potential projects to move Merimbula forward

Emphasis on Integration and collaborate – creation of vision. Clear, Conclusive

The Big picture and what you can do about it?

How is it going to tie in with the surrounding towns vision? How do we get to that stage? Who will be able to be funded? Some new points were brought forward and other ideas expanded on

• Attract tourism o Convention centre at Club Sapphire, o Attract big conferences pristine environment and great convention centre. o Add hospitality trading program with education providers and the clubs

• Training program for young people

o Tourism & Hospitality o International Magnetism, focusing on mentoring based on a 15 year plan

• Co-working spaces in IT

o Merimbula tech hub of NSW. Promoting it as the easy access to Merimbula, Canberra, Sydney

o Great place to work as no stress with the city, walk out the door and you are at the beach and lots of peace and relaxation place to work

o Need better IT connection

• Better foot access to town from holiday parks o Check council planning. Improve parking by improving the foot access. o Check funding – how can we assist council to get the funding?

• e-commerce for local stores

o Merimbula without boundaries

• Merimbula online - 360deg camera views

• Town buses o To alleviate in town parking o Park outside of town and bus into town at busy times. o Could be someone’s business o Clubs have buses that are unused through the days. Great opportunity for additional

advertising.- check council plan

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• Funding bricks for footpaths Grows the footpath/ should be the requirement for bigger companies

• Festivals

o Lot of musicians – how can we harness it o Twilight festival at Magic Mountains in Summer time to be family orientated. Need time

to market it properly. The picture you create around it o Suggested to do when not in high season. Need to find some off- season events. Use

local entertainers as opposed to bringing in outsiders o Film festival/Photography competition. Short film festival. Movie making. Outdoor picture

show o Lights on the lakes festival as in Moruya – lantern workshops – suggested that you don’t

copy someone else’s events – what else hasn’t been done in this area

• Mentorships o Start at a younger age and carry it through o No enough with career advisors o youth are unsure what to do o not enough intrigue or follow through

• Open book series

o Everyone has a story

• Trampoline world o Open end indoor play centre – lolly land

• Food in the street

o Permaculture movement. John champagne/ Community Gardens

• Merimbula Town map o Embrace Merimbula history with a road map to be ticked off o Pokemon around the town – trail o Geo trails – explain further

• Our town Merimbula App • Must not have to pay – could be better as it is? Collaboration?

• Better advertising

o On Road Signs leading into the town

• Food Festival o Support them

• Winter Arts Festival

o Vision – music film making, art see notes – whole package INFO July/August o A winter Arts Festival that includes music, film-making, art sculpture demonstrations o Theatre & Street Acts, local poetry and street food

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• Cover history of area o Include indigenous. o Writing competitions, indigenous history collaboration o Culture & history of Aborigines/first settlers

• Advertising road signs

o From Melbourne and Sydney showing what our area has to offer

• How do we attract overseas tourism o Advertisement on Chinese media at airport o Merimbula to be known for: o Amazing Festival o Great family entertainment that is year round

• Celebration of seafood/produce

• Motorbike friendly

• Motorhome festival

• Education

o Of your about, how choices can lead to opportunities Embracing the next generation, incorporating young person in Merimbula, via visitor information teaching about our area, our history.making everyone an ambassador

o volunteers Merimbula ambassadors o "Let me tell you where to go"

• Better interaction

o Between local communities o Working in unity o People working as a community from youth to elderly o Elderly can mentor the young. U3A are always

looking for more activities

• Walking tracks o Connected by huts o Town walks o light with solar lights o History walks o treasure hunt o Bike riding tracks, trails, bike lanes. Double the

width of the boardwalk

• Art - street art

• Community gardens o Free food – see attached project scope|

• Map – Attractions/collect stamps/points

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Session 3 In the third session the invitation was extended to council and other working organisations in the area in order to form a scope based on the information collected and current knowledge and activities

It was recognised that there is work to be done in some areas and collaboration of organisations is required.

Some immediate projects were pulled out by the different groups in the session.

The Focus on Merimbula report will be reviewed yearly by the operating groups.

Other community groups are invited to collaborate and adopt projects.

Passionate individuals are encouraged to put their foot forward in order to move Merimbula to the next stage.

Identified priority

• Off Season Conferences - PMGCY Events, Executive retreats - Audit on what is available. - extending season Arts/Creative festivals

• Current events – support • Green nomads • Farmers markets • Online app - plug in age likes etc.. & get idea what to do & where to go RV friendly dump

points Rack for SUP at the Boardwalk

• Boardwalks & Footpaths upgrades and Slippery footpaths around town need attention • Car parking in town • Public Toilets in Town • RV Friendly (Parking, Dumb point) SUP, parking rack near foreshore • Conference facility (5 star Hotel) - Lacking accommodation for large groups & corporate

executives- will council assist in inviting investments. Create a package and sell to a target market

• Survey - Accommodation capacity, Restaurants that will be open. Check with Merimbula Tourism for list of Accommodation etc...

• Community Garden – assist current plan

Follow up

• Check with council re: footpath & enhancements that are in the big plan • Check with Rotary & Lions as to what activities they have in pipeline • Paddle Board mooring and bins on the lake

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• Invite organisations to come to the next Chamber Meeting • Resourcing Grey Nomads to help within the local area. Give them somewhere to volunteer • What businesses are going to be opened - what's missing and how to encourage what's

required. • Create a follow up plan

Words to remind you of your strength

Thank you all for attending the session

It was a positive eye opener and I hope to see follow up and more initiatives like this

Merimbula is great and the people who drive the outcome are amazing thumbs up Merimbula

Orit Karny Winters