Pomona Men’s Shed has outgrown it’s home base but with no security of an ongoing lease it has no secure base, no ability to plan for its future or expand its current facilities to meet the increasing demand.
The incorporated association prides itself on providing a safe, friendly environment for men to be physically and mentally active using the environment of the shed and the many activities and projects it can provide.
It also hosts workshops which are well attended, produces goods for sale to fund the ongoing enterprise and provides a cost-effective restoration service and community services.
But it’s constrained space limits the number of members attending and limits their capacity to accept further clients, some who have been referred to the men’s shed by medical and health professionals.
In June Men’s Shed president Rod Mulder presented a deputation to Noosa Council to garner their support to enable the organisation to obtain a long term lease on its premises or take over management of the site and rezone the land it is on to community facilities to enable plans for expansion.
Mr Mulder told council the Men’s Shed formed in 2012, operating under the auspices of the Pomona and Community House.
In 2014 they moved to their current site at 1 School St, which was then a disused tractor and machinery shed, abandoned by Queensland Parks and Wildlife and they obtained an occupation permit for three years under the Forestry Act 1959.
In 2015 they were able to expand and with DA approval from the council built a new shed, but then the tenure on the land was transferred under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, turning their occupation into an inconsistent use and making them squatters.
After unpermitted occupation for several years, in 2023 the land was revoked under freehold tenure with the title given to Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), Mr Mulder said.
Pomona Men’s Shed obtained a licence to occupy the premises in February, 2024 and have an extension until February 2026 but were not granted the option of extending the lease any further.
Mr Mulder said in June 2025 the DETSI director general wrote to Noosa Council to request it reconsider its position on owning or managing the property which it had expressed no interest in doing in 2020 when previously contacted.
“Security of tenure is absolutely essential for any community based organisation. MSP does not have that security. Without such security existence on the site can only be viewed as temporary at best. The lack of a permanent home plays on the mind of any organisation and diminishes the concept of a safe place for people to gather. This is at odds with Men’s Shed Pomona’s vision and values,” Mr Mulder said.
“We’ve got a strategic plan, we’ve got a site master plan, we don’t have a hold on the land.”
Mr Mulder told council the Men’s Shed wanted clarity on council’s position, a rezoning of the land and to be able to negotiate a long term lease.
At the meeting Mayor Frank Wilkie said council would organise a meeting with the group and help where they could.
That meeting occurred on Tuesday and Mr Mulder said they were positive of the matter progressing.
“This is the best result we’ve had so far,” he said.
