Tools and Workshops now available to help Nimbin locals

The Nimbin community is set to benefit from a new Community Tools Library thanks to an initiative by the local Neighbourhood and Information Centre (NNIC) funded by the ETC Community Support Fund.

Drills, sanders, and a jigsaw are just some of the tools locals can access through the library in addition to skills development workshops.

“We hope that by having the tools library available, locals will be able to undertake basic repairs and maintenance at their homes and in the general community,” said NNIC Manager Natalie Meyer.

“We will also be offering workshops on how to use the tools, facilitated by qualified tradespeople, to increase skills and confidence levels.”

Ms Meyer said the library aimed to help the most disadvantaged members of the community in particular social housing tenants, youth and the long term unemployed.

“We’ve found that most people don’t have these tools on hand or can’t afford to buy them. So now they can borrow, share and learn,” she said.

According to NNIC Community Development Worker Guy Stewart, the need for the tools library and workshops were identified as part of the community consultation surrounding Nimbin’s Sibley Street project.

“Of the 117 locals surveyed as part of Sibley Street project, 53% of respondents were interested in accessing tools and 44% in learning how to use them. Importantly, 92% of social housing tenants were interested in accessing tools with 58% showing interest in the workshops. Other community members have also expressed a willingness to share/transfer their skills, especially with young people,” Mr Stewart said.

“We aim to increase the number of skilled tradespeople in the area, remove pressure on low income household budgets caused by the need to replace items which otherwise could have been repaired and help to decrease landfill caused by disposal of goods which are capable of repair.”

Natalie and Guy thanked ETC for providing funding for the tool library and workshops.

“We’d just like to offer a huge thanks to ETC for helping us with this project and that they saw the benefit of this for our community. Resources and funding are very tight for us, so we are most appreciative,” they said.

Locals will be able to access the tools library at 7 Sibley Street, once the renovations are completed later in the year.

ETC North Coast Business Relationship Manager Andrew Goodchild said it was a pleasure to be able to support the Nimbin Neighbourhood & Information Centre.

“The ETC Community Support Fund is designed to help organisations reduce disadvantage, generate opportunity, increase support services and/or build capacity in the communities in which we operate,” Mr Goodchild said.

“ETC is proud to be a not-for-profit company and we are confident the money we are donating will help make a more positive future for our community.”

ETC will be making available $250,000 in community grants as part of the ETC Community Support Fund. Applications for the next round of funding will open 19 March 2018. For further information and/or to apply to the ETC Community Support Fund visit www.etcltd.com.au/csf