In June 2015 business owners, members of the community, Laurieton and Kendall men's sheds, Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce members and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council volunteered side-by-side to get stuck into work creating fun, artistic spaces in the Laurieton CBD.
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The work was part of the council's placemaking initiatives happening around the Hastings, and the vision of the Camden Haven Economic Social Strategy (CHESS).
The prize pieces included a boat seat, built by Laurieton Men's Shed, dolphin seat, built by Kendall Men's Shed, fish-shaped bike racks, colourful paint and mosaic work and steel structure which may be lit at night (on the corner of Laurieton Public School).
The pavement has been painted to tie the marine-themed pieces together.
Garden beds were also planted out with young herbs, which will be useful and fragrant additions to the CBD landscape.
More than 40 volunteer hands on deck pitched in to create the eye-catching marine-themed makeover.
Mayor Peter Besseling rolled up his sleeves for the collaborative project.
"Community support for this project has been amazing," Cr Besseling said.
"On behalf of the whole community, I congratulate Kendall Men's Shed, Laurieton Men's Shed and the ongoing enthusiasm of local businesses and members of the Camden Haven Economic and Social Strategy (CHESS) team.
"Improvements have brought the CBD to life and will have ongoing benefits for the business community, helping to attract people to the area and encouraging locals and visitors to soak up the atmosphere."
Cr Besseling said Council's Place Making team would continue working on mosaics at the Bold and Seymour Street intersection. Attention will then turn to additional work on the opposite corners.
"Council is also continuing to work on developing signage at the entrance to Laurieton and developing a bus shelter project with local school students," he said.
Other initiatives on the drawing board include the proposed 'Fish on Bold' trail and treasure map to increase foot traffic to local businesses and longer-term plans for the main street.
"This weekend's efforts are really only the beginning, but everyone should be so proud of what we've achieved," Cr Besseling said.
"Projects like this are about developing community connections and the long-term benefits of positive relationships that will see even more projects unfold in the future."
Plans for future working bees have not yet been confirmed, but will be announced in due course.