Have you read about reading about the Tauranga City Council proposing to hike the rent for Tauranga’s Men’s Shed from $13,000 to $44,840 to stay at The Historic Village? And the shed be charged $18,400 in operating expenses by council. A spokesperson says they’ll have to give away the tools, and walk out the door if the charges goes ahead.

Yet, jump the boundary fence – and enter the Western Bay of Plenty District – and the council there has helped the Katikati Menz Shed get into a newly-built facility!

The Katikati Menz shed responded to an expression of interest sought by Western Bay District Council for the building of a community facility on a vacant piece of council land – and was successful. Then TECT granted $100,000 was granted WBOP District Council towards the new shared community facility. And whallah! A new shed was built and they’ve moved in! What a difference a boundary fence can make to a community-enhancing non-profit group... Isn’t it ironic?

Mary Donaldson, Bellevue.