A vital non-profit community group championing social wellbeing and mental health will be forced to close its doors unless a new home is found before September 30.
Nambour Men’s Shed has reached out to the community to help find new premises, as efforts of members and government representatives so far have proved fruitless, and the present site is untenable.
The group was founded in 2011 and has operated from its current home on Colless Lane, Nambour, since 2015. These premises are rented from the state government, which has owned the land since 2009.
At a meeting in July last year, the Department of Transport and Main Roads informed the Nambour Men’s Shed committee members that the government required the use of the land. Notice was given for the group to vacate.
TMR said the land had been set aside to be used as a transport corridor for the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade project.
In November last year, another meeting was held, where TMR and Sunshine Coast Council informed the Men’s Shed they were unable to find other suitable premises or assist with relocation costs. Nambour Men’s Shed was advised to vacate by September 30 this year.
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Nambour Men’s Shed president Colin Webb said the club helped about 70 current members and was open five days a week.
“Sadly, it would seem that if no suitable relocation opportunity is found, we will have no other choice but to close down,” Mr Webb said.
Mr Webb said the group’s Save Our Shed (SOS) sub-committee had conducted independent research to investigate the availability of a currently vacant building within the Nambour TAFE campus, but had not yet heard a result.
The SOS sub-committee had also canvassed a number of other sources, including community organisations and the Nambour Showgrounds.
“Whilst many are sympathetic to our cause, we have no firm offers to date,” Mr Webb said.
Mr Webb said the potential closure of the group would have a devastating impact on members.
“NMS, over the past 11 years, has serviced men from all walks of life. For many, it has been their ‘home away from home’,” he said.
“The shed plays an important part in the prevention of social isolation by providing a safe, friendly and welcoming place for men to work on meaningful projects and contribute to the wider community. What would happen if this is taken away from them?
“Further to this, NMS has, over the past decade, hosted men with disabilities, together with their carers, every Thursday morning. This service has now become so popular, the NMS management committee is working towards offering an extra session to these members on Thursday afternoon.
“Over the time we have conducted this program, we have not received any funding from NDIS or any other agency. So, if NMS were to close, a range of healthcare service providers would also be looking for a new home for their clients.”
The group has met with State Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton and Sunshine Coast Council Division 10 Councillor David Law to offer suggestions and seek further assistance.
Mr Skelton said he had helped the group search for a new home.
“I’ve personally contacted multiple community groups, investors and private landholders in an attempt to accommodate the Nambour Men’s Shed (NMS),” he said.
“I’m always happy to support NMS in any application for funding they may wish to make.
“While it’s disappointing for the members to move from their existing shed, I’m calling out to the community in the hope they may still find something suitable before they’re forced to close.”
Cr Law said he had also worked with the group to try to find a solution.
“I have met with the Men’s Shed president and committee to gain a full understanding of the issues facing them,” he said.
“The Nambour Men’s Shed is an excellent organisation and is a vital part of our community.
“I have worked with the committee to advocate to the state government and, unfortunately, this has not been successful.
“I am continuing to work with council staff to assist with a possible solution or alternative venue. At this stage, we have not been able to find a suitable council property in the Nambour area.
“I will continue to advocate for the group and try and find another suitable location.”
In its response to Sunshine Coast News, Mr Skelton’s office provided detailed background information about the Colless Lane site, pointing to the fact TMR had made NMS aware the tenancy in place since 2015 was temporary, and that the roof required replacing.
The NMS currently pays $1 a year in rent and 40 per cent of all outgoings for its building, with the exception of electricity, which is paid by TMR.
But in its own statement of position document, NMS said the building was in a dilapidated condition when it moved in and a refurbishment project was undertaken over about two months, all completed using NMS funds.
NMS said a contractor had deemed the roof to be hazardous, but if that was the case repairs should have been completed beforehand if the premises were made available for public use. TMR said the cost of replacing the roof could not be justified.
NMS said in its document it was not in favour of amalgamating with other local Men’s Sheds for various reasons, including an expected attendance fallout if members were required to travel away from Nambour.
Mr Skelton’s office said some other Men’s Sheds on the Coast had either bought land or secured a long-term lease and funded development of premises to establish a long-term solution for their operations, but NMS indicated it did not want to raise funds or rent commercially.
NMS said in its document that its members did not attend for the purpose of raising funds to pay rent, but rather to provide a friendly environment in which to support each other. The pressure of raising funds to pay for rent deterred members from attending, NMS found.
Mr Webb said the community could help by contacting NMS if land or a shed were available as a gift or under a perpetual lease. Donations of help in kind also would be welcome.
Mr Skelton echoed Mr Webb’s appeal.
“Please, if you’re aware of any suitable premises, contact the Nambour Men’s Shed on 5441 2527 or at info@nambourmensshed.com.au, or get in touch with my office,” he said.
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