20 Sept 2007 - Voluntary Services Benefit From Airport Land

A parcel of land set aside for community purposes at the Regional Airport is to be allocated to the Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Nambucca Community Transport (CBNCT) Inc and St John's Ambulance services for a nominal rent.

"Everyone appreciates the very valuable contribution both of these voluntary services make to the community," said Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Keith Rhoades.

"I can't think of any public event that doesn't enlist the help of the St John's Ambulance teams and their vital skills and I know that the services provided by the Community Transport volunteers are a lifeline for the elderly, isolated families and people with a disability," he said.

Council heard that CBNCT has outgrown its present premises in the Community Village and needed a new site for the service. The local St John's Ambulance staff and volunteers have also been looking for a suitable location for some time.

Councillors agreed to provide a parcel of land of approximately 2000 square metres within the area zoned Community Purposes in the recently adopted Airport Land Use Plan.

During a recent review of the airport, the use of land on the site but outside the airside boundary, was reconsidered and a large area was set aside for Community Purposes.

Part of this will be used to house some of the fleet of 13 cars and 15 buses managed by CBNCT.

Similarly, the local division of St John's Ambulance will now have a suitable storage facility for their vehicles and equipment.

"Having a permanent site for both these organisations will help ensure that the services they provide for the community will continue well into the future," said Cr Rhoades.

"Being able to provide this land is a very positive step," he said.

The land will be made available as soon as the first stage of the subdivision of the Airport development lands has been completed. This is expected to happen within 12-18 months.