A special pop-up session on the future of a key block of land at Ourimbah will be held on-site from 11am-3pm on Friday, October 13.
The future of 1A Jaques St is yet to be decided, after a heritage Nissen hut was removed from the site earlier this year and the land was re-gifted to Central Coast Council by the University of Newcastle.
The rectangular block is about 1,050sqm and has a rich history of community use dating back to 1904 as a school of arts and later as a dance hall.
It was donated to the University of Newcastle in the 1994 by the Ourimbah School of Arts, with the intention that the building would be dismantled and re-erected on an alternative site at the Ourimbah campus.
But the university deemed the building unsalvageable after dismantling began in April.
A community campaign spearheaded by Member for The Entrance and the Ourimbah Region Residents Association failed to save the WWII hut, but then turned their attention to securing the land for public use.
In July it was announced that Council would buy back the site from the university for the nominal amount of $1, much to residents’ delight.
Administrator Rik Hart said Council recognised the importance placed on this site and was now seeking feedback from residents on how they would like to see the space used to benefit the community for many years to come.
“The overarching Ourimbah Area Strategy and Centre Master Plan was adopted by Council in March 2022,” he said.
“Following consultation on the future use of 1A Jaques St, the Master Plan will be updated to include the vision for this site.”
Some suggestions for future use of the site already mooted include a carpark for overflow parking for the Ourimbah shops and a public recreation green space.
Residents can provide input until October 30 at https://www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/jaques
Terry Collins