Community Strength in the Mallee
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PINNAROO KEEPS SHOPS IN LOCAL COMMUNITY HANDSThe Mallee community of Pinnaroo has embarked on a project that will assist in sustaining the town and district for the future.
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A local Steering Committee has raised the money to purchase a set of four shops in the Main Street of Pinnaroo that have remained unoccupied and unchanged for many years now.
In their current state, the shops are prohibitive for aged and disabled community members to access. Visually, the shops are unattractive and are mismatched with the recent upgrade of the Main Street by Southern Mallee District Council. They are also below the standards required for many businesses to meet.
The town currently lacks appropriate space for local businesses and services to trade within. As a result, local people are required to travel great distances and pay increased costs to purchase meat from a butcher or employ the services of an electrician. Without any change, local money will continue to drain from the Pinnaroo economy.
Several months ago, community members became aware that the shops were for sale. In fear of losing the shops to outside investors with no interest in developing the site for community benefit, the Steering Committee rallied together to raise the funds to purchase the building, with a vision for the community to own and operate the shops.
No definite plans have been devised as yet for the buildings, but the vision is to refurbish or re-develop the site to enable greater access for the community, and to provide improved facilities to attract more local businesses and services.
The Steering Committee has started to look at a feasibility study and options to re-develop the site. Whatever happens, it is a priority to address the current access issues for aged and disabled community members.
The shops will eventually be handed over to the community to be managed and run. While the project is essentially a not-for-profit exercise, any surpluses realised from the venture will be used to fund other community projects in the district.
Tremendous community support has been demonstrated for the project. At a public meeting in Pinnaroo, over 50 members of the community expressed comments and suggestions for the development. In a matter of a week, approximately $50,000 was raised by a group of ten couples to purchase the site. This is even more remarkable considering the district is experiencing one of its driest years in several decades. This proactive and visionary community has cleared their first hurdle, and is now looking towards raising the funds and pooling the resources in the community required to make the re-development happen.
Several funding sources will be approached for assistance, but the majority of money required to fund the project will be sourced from local community donations, and donations from other interested parties willing to support the innovative project. Support for the project will not only be financial – the project will entail gaining the services of architects and draftsmen, builders and building suppliers, contractors such as electricians and plumbers, as well as lawyers and accountants. Demolition work may need to be undertaken, paint and furnishings will need to be supplied and media coverage and publicity will be involved to promote the project and the opportunity to trade within a brand new facility in a truly amazing rural community.
If you have been inspired by the Pinnaroo community and their project, and you would like to demonstrate you support in any way possible, please do not hesitate to get in touch with
Laura Spencer, Community Development Officer – 0428 835 490.
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