Progress Association president David Shepard said to be recognised in the top three in this category was a thrill.

“It’s amazing to be recognised, considering the competition across the state, that we were so kindly recognised by the judging panel,” Mr Shepard said.

JRCPA vice president Chris Bawn will travel to Tweed Heads on November 5 to attend the awards ceremony.

The annual awards program provides regional communities with an opportunity for state wide recognition.

The Business Development Organisation Award acknowledges business development organisations play a key role in encouraging business growth and prosperity in their local communities.

The JRCPA was established by six village representatives in 2007 due to the construction of the Pacific Highway bypass. The group sought 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 passed through the town daily.

Since the progress association was established they have held, sponsored and facilitated over 10 community forum meetings with the goal of sustaining the economic prosperity of the village and its businesses. 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.

With the 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 JRCPA has managed to establish a children’s playground, redesign the local streetscape of the community by creating a boardwalk throughout the town, and created and built new community toilets.

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. The Awards are proudly supported by The Land Newspaper, Sirromet Wines and the Local Government and Shire Associations.