Cumbalum Seeks a Communal Meeting Space

Did you know that since the birth of this Community Group more than 7 years ago, all the community meetings have been held at the homes of members as there is a shortage of available communal meeting spaces in Cumbalum?

Our community Group has been operating for more than 7 years, and yet there appears to be no building that is able to accomodate us for our regular meetings. Cumbalum actually does have a perfect Community Hall that was designed for Community meetings - it is located in Cumbalum, on Power Drive next to the football fields and the large children's playground. However, as things currently stand, the Ballina Shire Council has rented this space out to two private sporting organisations, which according to Ballina Shire Council rules are not permitted to sublet the space to the CRA as a community meeting space despite their schedules permitting it. This means that there is no option to use this community hall as it was originally intended.

The CRA has long liaised with Ballina Shire Council to see if there could be any amendments to these rules, however, nothing has been forthcoming. This leaves the CRA to continue to meet in members homes till such time that a meetings space is made available. This may be access to the current and existing Community Hall or perhaps another one designed and built in the new sections of Banyan Hill, with the hope that Ballina Shire Council will hold to its word and have this available for community use rather than private rental.

The Sporting organisations mentioned above have been very generous in offering the CRA the use of the public toilets as well as the outdoor concrete slab for the CRA Annual Christmas gatherings which is then able to accomodate far more members and residents.

The CRA office bearers have, since the groups inception more than 7 years ago, been very generous with opening up their homes to the community and accommodating up to 25 people or more for the regular meetings. Currently, with more than 110 community members that know of the CRA and with our community group expanding continuously, the quest for finding a consistent and spacious communal meeting place is certainly high on our agendas.

We are keen to to find a communal space that might be a potential meeting place for our community group. We have researched several options including halls at private colleges and masonic centres, but due to the voluntary nature of our group, many of these options are not financially viable. If you want to help, please contact the Ballina Shire Council and put in a request for the use of a Community Hall in Cumbalum.

Together a growing community which evolves with quality, deserves a beautiful space to consolidate, to plan, to grow and to celebrate!