The Comboyne Community Association is involved in many projects to benefit the social, economic and environmental well being of Comboyne and surrounds.

Comboyne Community Centre for Sustainability

The project is funded by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Public Facilities Program and the Australian Governments Solar Homes and Communities Program.  It will establish the Comboyne Community Centre as a demonstration site for saving water and energy, and reducing greenhouse emissions.

The Comboyne Community Centre will save potable water from the Comboyne Village water supply. Installation of water tanks will allow harvesting and storage of water for all Community Centre requirements. Reduced energy demand will be achieved by installation of energy efficient lighting and education to change behaviour and energy use in the Centre. Installation of a 4.9kW PV grid connected solar system will provide for the energy requirements of the Centre and may supply excess 'green' energy to the grid.

Our project partners are: Energy and Space Solutions, Rovert, Hastings Rural Cooperative and Country Energy.

Comboyne NRM Action Plan 2008 -2010

In 2008 Comboyne Community Association (CCA) received funding of almost $40000 through the Australian Government’s Envirofund, to develop the Comboyne NRM Action Plan. The aim was to develop a prioritized plan to assist local farmers, landholders and the community of the Comboyne Plateau in conserving biodiversity and sustainable resource use. The funding is on a dollar for dollar basis, with the CCA contributing in cash and in-kind.

Our project partners are: Biolink Ecological Services and Port Macquarie Hastings Council. The NRM Project Team has local members (Anne Heinrich, Colin Amos, Matthew Bailey of Bolwarra Bushland Services, Zan Looney and Marg Duffy) in addition to representatives from Council, NRCMA, Landcare, DPI, DECC and NPWS.

Thone River Stage 2

This project is funded through the NRCMA River Reach program and Port Macquarie Hastings Council. The area involved is the ‘reach’ of the Thone through the village extending from up-stream of the showground to McMillan’s. The aims include: to improve water quality, reduce weeds, improve native habitat and improve the natural beauty of the river through our village.  This is a long term project which includes primary and follow-up work.

Bolwarra Bushland Services are the primary partners in this project. They are responsible for project management (on-ground works) including propagation of plant stock, weed control and planting of suitable local native species.

Comboyne: Sustainable Community Strategy

The project is funded through NSW Department of State and Regional Development Towns and Villages Futures Program. The CCA is contributing in cash and in-kind to this project.

It has developed out of the Comboyne Community Plan and will focus on a grass roots approach to the challenges of climate change, peak oil and sustainability.  It has two parts; firstly development of the Comboyne Plateau Sustainability Strategy (including research, awareness raising, stakeholder engagement, Future Focus Forum on 14th October and consultation to develop the Strategy).

This funding also helps us to develop marketing materials for the Comboyne Plateau (including a DVD, postcards, signage and marketing materials).

Comboyne Community Health Program

Funding through the CDSE Program will allow the CCA to provide a community health program for the year 2009 – 10. This program will include four community health sessions:

• Healthy Mountain Men
• Healthy Mountain Women
• Healthy Seniors
• Healthy Families

It will also support a Weekly Bulk Billing Clinic, promotion of healthy living, and sponsor First Aid and Defibrillator Training for community volunteers.

If you have any queries regarding these projects please contact Marg Duffy at the Community Centre.          Ph: 6550 4346   Email: comboyne@bigpond.com