To the CEO of Mid Murray Council,

Mr Dean Gollan,

Mid Murray Council Offices,

Adelaide Rd,

MANNUM SA 5238

22 September 2011

We the Old Mannum School Steering Committee submit our expression of interest to lease the Old Mannum School building and surrounds (purchased by the MMC) for community use.

We are a cohesive group, representing a diverse range of stakeholder organisations and individuals in the Mannum community.  Seed members of our group include, The Mannum Hospital, The Hall, The Mannum History Group, Well Being Group, Murray Eco Arts Collective, Mannum Lion’s Club, Mannum Progress Association, Teen Challenge, The Red Hatters, Mannum Big River Fishing Competition, River Word Christian Centre and the Mid Murray Community Support Service.  Each of these member groups will bring their own expertise and experience to this plan.

Our proposal includes, but is not limited to, the following;

ü  HEALTH & WELL BEING

ü  EDUCATION

ü  ARTS

ü  ENVIRONMENT

ü  COMMUNITY USE

ü  SOCIAL INCLUSION

We see many activities/possibilities for utilising the existing building but we are inspired to also include activities and ideas for developing the whole school site. As such we submit a concept plan (Annex A) for the whole area as a starting point to foster community discussion and inclusion.  It incorporates elements of all of the fore mentioned points in an integrated manner. 

Like Council, we are committed to the preservation of our built, natural and cultural heritage and this project could provide fulfilling activities for all ages and backgrounds.  Our submission also has a desire to create a space that would foster intergenerational participation and activities.

It must be noted that not all interested bodies have funds to lease the premises and council should consider alternative methods of payment/contribution.  The concept of sweat equity would be new to some people but it is basically sharing ones’ own time in a project in exchange for greater personal and community benefits.  It is a concept that could be applied to utilising both the old school building and in developing community space if the opportunity arose to acquire the remaining old school land.

In collaboration with council’s aim of being open and inclusive in encouraging community involvement and partnership, we look forward to further community consultation. As a dedicated and enthusiastic umbrella group we encourage MMC to capitalise on our enthusiasm and links to the Mannum community.

We wish to utilise, but not limit use of, the old school buildings to the following -

·                              In concert with the Council’s Mission Statement and their role in the community as advocates for and providers of services, our proposal would help decentralise and integrate existing health and community services.  This would revolutionise local health care delivery and require administration and activity space for Day Centre activities, Domiciliary Care, a base for community transport networks, Child and Youth Services, Mothers and Babies groups and Men’s space.

·                              Creative space, performance venue, gallery and exhibition space.

·                              Alternative agriculture and sustainability demonstration site.

·                              Meeting rooms.

·                              History group archives and displays.

·                              A range of workshops for example sustainability, health, water wise garden design and maintenance.

We thoroughly endorse the commitment council made in investing in our built heritage and environment when they had the foresight to purchase the old school building in Mannum.  We acknowledge that Council’s call for expressions of interest for the use of the building does not encompass the rest of the old school land but, our hope is to now show the value in purchasing/acquiring the remainder of the property as a natural progression in creating and maintaining a vibrant and safe community hub. We have before us a rare opportunity to create a venue of innovation and inspiration.

Uses for the old school site are plentiful and could include but not be limited to -

·         Walking and cycling trails

·         Sculpture park

·         Open air cinema

·         Recycling depot

·         Establish food and flower gardens

·         Establish a native garden nursery

·         Establish a café / kitchen and build a pizza oven

·         Run farmers/craft markets

·         Provide a venue for guest speakers and performances

·         Run workshops

·         Host festivals and celebrations

·         Establish an adult playground.

Different areas could be linked by sensory gardens and art trails.  Trellis and fences of edible plants and a little tyke’s bike track around the orchard with berry hedges.  Shaded seating throughout the property would encourage people to sit and chat or spend quiet time: there are so many possibilities and opportunities!

The large bike track would engage some of our disassociated youth and potentially provide a competition level facility with a spectacular back drop for participants and spectators.

We admit our plan is ambitious but trust that with the Mid Murray Council’s visionary outlook and drive we can anticipate success. We understand that some of the suggestions we present could be viewed as controversial or at least challenging, but hope that you see the benefits of investigating all options.  Many of our propositions could attract grant funding from a diverse range of bodies.

We, the Old Mannum School Steering Committee, are passionate in our endeavour to retain the entire site and see it returned  to a ‘Public Purpose’ category as such land has unlimited benefit for the community and cannot be recreated.

If council decides not to purchase the remaining school land, we advocate a pro-active approach by Mid Murray Council to use all available resources to lobby for and apply for a selection of wide ranging grants and any other options for the retention of the remainder of the old school site.

If successful in our application to lease the building after it has been brought up to standard, we would apply to become an incorporated body and further consult our members for ways they would like to utilise the facilities.  We would like to be involved in the development process to ensure the needs of the community are met.

We seek an undertaking from Mid Murray Council that it will not further compromise the integrity of the community space during the course of the deliberations of the site’s development.

On behalf of the Old Mannum School Steering Committee I thank you for the opportunity to participate in the community consultation process for the development of the old school site in Mannum.

Kitty Schiansky

Secretary

Old Mannum School Steering Committee

PO Box 14,

MANNUM  SA  5238

Eileen Dunn

Executive Officer/ Director of Nursing and Midwifery

Mannum District Hospital

APPENDIX A:    Concept plan.