Johns River

The Johns River Community Progress Association (JRCPA) have made it to the top ten in the semi-finals of the NSW Department of Trade and Industry's Business Development Organisation award category for the 2011 NSW/ACT regional Achievement and Community Awards.

JRPCA President David Shepard states that "Our little village is really blown away by the honour. We had no idea that we could even place in the top ten, given the over three hundred entries from across the state".

"Award staff have confirmed to us that we were very close in the running, and that there were a lot of ruminations in our favour in the judging process".

Established by village representatives in 2007 due to the construction of a town bypass, The Johns River Community Progress Association saw to represent its community by lobbying local, state and federal representatives to ensure the community was consulted and involved in the long process of a bypass, which aimed to cut off their town and sources of income provided by travellers and interstate visitors who pass through the town daily.

"We have held, sponsored and facilitated over ten Public Community forums on a wide range of issues, from the road-building process to more recently, policing, signage and road conditions with our local Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams", add Mr. Shepard.

See the Camden Haven Courier article here

Through the creation of newsletters with a reading audience of over 300 residents and community meetings with local councils, the Johns River Community Progress Association has managed to achieve and produce a "Village Master Plan" , which was adopted by the local council in 2009.

Bypassed Village Gets to Work

With the highway bypass now in place, the community and businesses of Johns River have seen a reduction in traffic however they continue to provide memorable experiences for visitors.

Through the advancements of the 'Village Master Plan' the Johns Rivers Community Progress Association has managed to establish a children's playground, redesign the local street scape of the community by planning and starting a boardwalk throughout the town, with new community toilets and more facilities on the way.

"On behalf of the community, we thank the NSW State Dept of Tradn and Industry and the Commonwealth Bank for sponsoring these awards, and look forward to receiving our certificate in the near future." said the Progress Association President, closing with "We really appreciate the recognition and only makes us more enthusiastic for our future projects!"

This year the winner of the NSW Department of Trade and Industry Business Development Organisation Award will win $5,000 thanks to the Commonwealth Bank. Winners will be announced at a Gala Presentation to be held at the South Tweed Sports Club on Saturday 5th November 2011. The Awards are proudly supported by The Land Newspaper, Sirromet Wines and the Local Government and Shire Associations.