A funding application has been lodged and a development application is on exhibition to underpin the Oxley Vale Life Long Learning Precinct proposal.

The precinct will be home to a community art and crafts centre and a men’s shed, pending planning approval and funding success.

The plan is to relocate the Port Macquarie Art and Crafts Centre and the Hastings Men’s Shed to purpose-built facilities on land off the Oxley Highway.

The life long learning precinct is earmarked for vacant Department of Education land, which has been set aside for the project, east of the Douglas Vale Historical Homestead and Vineyard.

The precinct would have 49 car parking spaces and two loading bays.

The project is in the running for almost $3.5 million through the state government’s Regional Cultural Fund round two.

The round offers applicants a share in $47 million in funding.

Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said the Oxley Vale Life Long Learning Precinct was a fabulous project.

She said the Port Macquarie Art and Crafts Centre and the Hastings Men’s Shed had worked together to ensure they were in a position to apply for state government funding.

Regional Cultural Fund applications are in the assessment phase. Lease arrangements for the site are progressing.

The development application shows the art and crafts centre would consist of six workshops for woodwork, pottery, lapidary, artwork, spinning and weaving.

There would be an exhibition space to display members’ work, as well as administration and meeting rooms, kitchen, dining room and toilets.

Port Macquarie Art and Craft Centre president Mavourna Collits said the members were in love with the plans.

“Our members are more than excited,” she said.

“The art and craft building will provide us with the space to accommodate all our gear, all our people and encourage new members.”

Both day and night groups would be available from the new location.

The existing Gordon Street building, which is in poor condition, is too small, has no cross-ventilation and the nearby hill plays havoc with the natural light.

Dr Collits said they planned to have a conservative membership of about 200 when the new building opened and up to 400 over the following three years.

The Hastings Men’s Shed would feature a central workshop area, principally for woodwork and metalwork projects, as well as an office, kitchen, dining room and toilets.

The new location would offer more storage space.

Hastings Men’s Shed president Dennis Woods said the members were looking forward to the move from rented premises into the proposed new building.

“We have a building that’s wonderful but it is not ours,” he said about the current industrial area location.

Mr Woods said the relocated men’s shed would be good for the health of members.

He said the biggest benefit for the men’s shed would be the ability to create different and bigger projects and the savings made on rent and outgoings.

“We are limited in how much we can do for people [with projects at the moment] because of the size,” Mr Woods said.

The men’s shed plans to expand its opening hours after the move and expects membership to grow to up to 300.

The men’s shed volunteers would be able to take on more projects from the proposed new location in partnership with non-profit groups.

Hastings Men’s Shed and Port Macquarie Art and Crafts Centre will also contribute to the Oxley Vale Long Life Learning Precinct project.

The development application is on exhibition at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council until October 22.

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