Affiliate Profile: Fingal Bay Community Association
EcoNetwork welcomes our newest affiliated group – the Fingal Bay Community Association (FBCA). The FBCA began with a core group of 7 people who wanted a better deal for Fingal Bay. In early 2022 they requested a meeting with Mayor Ryan Palmer and Councillor Leah Anderson to see what they could do to help Fingal Bay. As it was a Federal Election year, they also got in touch with their Federal candidates. A number of these candidates attended a public meeting on the Fingal foreshore where they spoke to over 100 residents.
The core group were then invited to present their list of outstanding issues at a Council meeting. That was when they realised that they needed to form an association to work effectively with Council. In September 2022 they called another public meeting where a large group of community members voted to form the Fingal Bay Community Association and adopt the constitution and regulations. The Association now has over 100 individual members and five business members.
The Association has already successfully secured a $4500 Stronger Communities Grant to install cover over four of the picnic tables on the foreshore. They have held three working bees to remove an old fence along the beach and some of the Bitou bush and Lantana. They have also planted over 60 Lomandras. They have repaired the stairs to the beach with a new slab at the top to prevent trips and spills and repaired and painted the picnic tables from the ramp up to Tuna Crescent. They have also recently installed a new bike rack near the ramp at Fingal Bay Beach and cleaned up several of the walkways.
They are in the process of applying for funding from the Hunter Regional Strategic Weed management project and working with Council in a submission for funding for weed management along the foreshore areas. They are also strongly advocating for funding to level the southern foreshore area from the boat ramp to Tuna Crescent so that everyone can use this area not just able bodied people.
The Association’s overarching aim is to establish more effective communication lines with Port Stephens Council. They want to have a strong working relationship and ensure that Fingal Bay is at the forefront of minds of the councillors – they are happy to work and get things done with the support of Council. Many Council representatives have been in contact and the Association highly values their continuing support.
If you would like to join one of their bi-monthly working bees or become a member just email fingalbayca@gmail.com. Membership is $10 pa for individuals and $50 for businesses.
