Lake Cathie Community Hub to attract residents to programs as part of Healthy Towns

A number of programs are being introduced to the area, as part of the Healthy Towns program.

The program has been funded by North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) and community members from Lake Cathie gave feedback on what initiatives they would like implemented.

Brendan Woollam, from the Hastings Neighbourhood Centre, is managing the Lake Cathie Community Hub and other initiatives of the Healthy Towns program.

There are already 10 people who have joined the gardening club, which is a group for people aged over 60-years-old.

Mr Woollam said a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) has been submitted to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for the approval of a community garden at the site.

Members of the gardening group have already begun working on the garden, through utilising vegetable pods, or portable raised garden beds.

Mr Woollam said hopefully the community garden will be approved in the next few months.

The Hastings Neighbourhood Centre is also running other free programs including a Seaside Stretch and Move program. The initiative invites people aged over 60-years-old to attend a bus tour to a new location each week in the Hastings, where 30 minutes of gentle exercise will follow.

There is also a homework hub program, open to children and parents to help them establish a routine for after school study. A healthy afternoon tea is provided for the children.

The Bonny Hills/Lake Cathie area is anticipated to be the second fastest growing urban area in the Port Macquarie-Hastings.

Council's Urban Growth Management Strategy outlines the population is set to increase from 6,300 in 2016 to over 10,000 by 2036.

Mr Woollam said given the projected growth of the community, the hub will aim to implement programs to serve the needs of the community.

He said the programs could work to address issues including mental health, social isolation and community connection.

Mr Woollam moved to Bonny Hills with his family in 2019.

He is a horticulturalist and has worked on humanitarian projects overseas. Mr Woollam's main passion is to help develop community projects at a local level.

Mr Woollam is excited about working on the community garden, where he said there will be a big focus on utilising recyclable materials.

The garden, Mr Woollam said is not solely focused on producing organic fruit and vegetables, but will also foster social connections across generations.

Mr Woollam thanked the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for its support. Council staff have been carrying out work on the community hub site to establish a rainwater tank.

For more information about the programs, including times, please visit the website https://www.hastingsneighbourhoodservices.org.au/ or the Facebook page, Lake Cathie Community Hub and Garden.

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