IT is just two years since Ulladulla’s Future Park emerged from the mists of possibility to unite the community like many feel it has never been united before.

Last week the next step in turning this bold dream into reality was taken.

Granted a five-year window from Shoalhaven City Council to prove the Future Park’s viability, supporters of the multi-faceted project met at Ulladulla High School and agreed on the make-up of a working committee.

Headed by Rhonda McGuire, EO of Blueprint Shoalhaven, the working committee is to create a proposal for initial funding.

This funding will enable the employment of a manager to oversee the formation of a corporate entity and a board to develop the Future Park, assisted by a skilled consultative group.

With a view to moving the project quickly forward the Shoalhaven Business Chamber will consider auspicing the initial grant application.

In addition Pia Winberg, the Future Park’s original visionary, has made available to the new committee the full extent of her research including plans, presentations, feasibility studies, detailed costings and experts’ reports.

“There are offers of help from all over,” said local businessman, Glenn Rowan, following the meeting.

“Universities, TAFE, community groups and service clubs, state and federal members, existing and prospective councillors, local professionals as well as numerous community

members, students, schools, SACC, Healthy Cities, IDEC, DET- the list goes on.

“With this much support and the potential to work with organisations like CSIRO and Fisheries, it is all looking very positive.”

The Future Park’s five year ‘trial period’ begins once work on Stage 3 of the adjoining Ulladulla Sports Park commences - a win-win solution that resulted from relentless community lobbying of a resistant council.

The community maintained that Ulladulla deserved a shot at both additional sports fields and the Future Park.

“It now looks like the hard work done by so many within the community to show their support and save the (old Sewage Treatment Plant) tanks will be rewarded,” Mr Rowan said.

“Ulladulla will now have every chance of Pia's brainchild, the Future Park, coming to fruition.”

The working committee consists of Rhonda McGuire, Penny Lumb, Greg Fellows, Maree Walsh-Harris, Patricia White, Pia Winberg, Tracy Provest, Mark Ettridge, Paul Crisp, Jan Gregory, Doug Green, Tony Boland, Alan Begg

and Stephen Williams.

Groups and individuals interested in assisting in the development of the Future Park can Rhonda McGuire on 02 4429 3531