Congratulations – A result we can all be proud of! TAFE NSW, through their delegates Paul Andersen and Kari Petersen have demonstrated their willingness to listen and respond to the desires and submissions of local citizens.

Our own professional council staff and committed councillors acting on our behalf have once again proven to me, that in a democracy, you have to stand up for what you believe in, people power can and does work.

The design amendments, particularly facade to George St, negotiated with TAFE, should help reduce the impact of a ‘modern building’ in an ‘old environment’.

That always was the primary concern of most of the caring locals who lodged submissions/objections (7 all up).

I’m confident that most of us who made the effort to convey our wishes and make suggestions are comforted and rewarded by the outcome.

I applaud the concept of ‘teamwork’ that our mayor and our general manager espouse, so I do hope that this translates into a sharing of communal information on which these design amendments are based.

In this regard, a ‘sharing’ of the heritage advisors report and the amended plan drawings of the TAFE centre with the public members of the ‘team’, would be appreciated.

I conclude by expressing appreciation for all parties who have played a role in the ‘right outcome’ for the ‘right reasons’.

Frankly TAFE NSW did not have to co-operate or concede anything.  It is to their eternal credit and the persuasive skills of mayor Cr Mark Liebich, general manager Glenn Carroll and director of environmental services Brendan Hayes, that we owe a vote of thanks.

In addition I also know of several councillors who were equally passionate about preserving the precious heritage fabric of our town.

I reckon my fellow citizens, who individually expressed their points of view, can equally take credit for their considered time ‘our future is (may not be) in our past’ but having been a member of greater Taree City Council’s Heritage Advisory committee in recent years, I know some things are worth fighting for, this issue has been one of them!

My hero Henry was always up for it….he didn’t mind a scrap for a worthy cause. You can’t get over that!

Bob McMillan

GRENFELL

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Information regarding the proposed new TAFE CLC can be found at www.weddin.nsw.gov.au