Both groups recently travelled to the council to give their submissions to the draft Recreation Open Space Strategy (ROSS), currently being formulated.

The Narooma Dog Training Club (NDTC) sent representative John Low to make its submission to the ROSS, calling for more seating at NATA Oval where the dog training classes are held.

“As the NATA Oval is no longer used for organised sporting fixtures eg. cricket, footy etc., the perimeter of the oval lends itself to several permanent seating and combined shade benches being installed, which is one of our major requests,” he said in his submission. 

“Seating and shade on the south, east and west perimeters is non existent.

“Being able to sit on arrival at the oval, prepare and harness your dog would of course be a great advantage to all persons especially when the grass is damp.

“Many older people find it most difficult to kneel or sit at ground level. It not only applies to NDTC members but to all patrons using this facility, also assisting disabled persons.”

Mr Low also made reference to the power box located at the southeast corner of the NATA Oval, which had been observed as having its hinged door swinging open on two occasions.

Finally, the dog training club requested a filtered water dispensing station and also signage on the shared pathway asking cyclists to use their bells when approaching walkers.

Narooma Men’s Shed president Wal Sheehan also gave a presentation to the council on its search for a permanent base in Narooma.

“We have pursued and been rejected by council staff on all attempts to move forward with a permanent site,” Mr Sheehan said in his presentation.

“Until we have a permanent site available we cannot apply for Federal or State grants to build a Community Shed concept as we have submitted to you in our ROSS submission.

“It is not a solution to stay on the existing property and expect it to succeed and grow on a pay as you go basis.

“It is a community asset and as such needs to be in the community’s hands to manage as per the ROSS directions for community halls.  

“Whether we have a Narooma Men’s (Community) shed in the future is in your hands. Failing to move forward now to specify a permanent site will ultimately lead to the demise of this valuable community asset in 18 months’ time.”

Mr Sheehan listed a number of possible sites for the permanent Men’s Shed that he said all been rejected by council staff for various reasons. 

These included the VRA site, Field Street, former dump site at Glasshouse Rocks Roads, car parks off Bowen Street, the Bill Smyth Oval sporting precinct and finally the hilly area at the bottom of Canty Street.

The Bill Smyth Oval Progress Committee meanwhile also continues to push for badly needed improvements to the town's main sporting facility.

In addition to redeveloping the Bill Smyth reserve for the long term with additional playing fields and club rooms, the sporting clubs have also conveyed the urgent need for additional change room facilities for the upcoming sporting season, given the big increase in female and youth participation in all codes.

It’s submission is also being considered by the council. 

“The matters you have raised were considered as part of the staff assessment of submissions received during the exhibition period and will be reported to the council on February 27,” was the last correspondence to the committee.