An economic regeneration community meeting, facilitated by Guyra Shire Councils Economic development manager Bob Neville, was held on Monday night.

The meeting focused upon improving and preserving the community rather than expanding it. The 25 people who attended identified and discussed services the community had to offer and how to best enhance these services and sustain the quality of living for local residents.

“If a community does not manage change, change will occur before the community is even aware that it is happening,” resident Beth White said.

“We need more community members to get involved in the process otherwise in the future their could be a sign which reads this used to be the community known as Ben Lomond.”

Items that were identified in the preliminary stage were things like the need for decent public toilets, safe roads, tennis courts, the maintenance and continual utilisation of the railway station, the development of a rail trail along the railway corridor, attracting a small business such as a mini abattoir and hosting an arts show such as a Northern Tulip festival.

At the next meeting, to be held at 7pm on Monday May 26 at the Ben Lomond Hall, these ideas will be further discussed and a select few pursued. The hall committee will provide a light supper.

Younger members of the community are being particularly encouraged to participate to provide input and balance.