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Stories of change - Triangle Tool Library

A community-lead recovery project providing access to quality tools for locals and tradies.

The Black Summer Bushfires were the call to action for the establishment of the Triangle Tool Library in Cobargo.  

The Triangle Tool Library was set up in 2020 as an incorporated association and is run entirely by volunteers. It provides members access to trade-quality tools and equipment and works to support the needs of locals and tradies assisting in the rebuilding effort.  

The largest benefit to come out of the initiative is the safe space it’s created for the community to connect, share, and learn. The Triangle Tool Library has firmly cemented itself as a crucial player in the bushfire recovery effort.

"By focusing on tangible items like tools, we have been able to attract grant funding"

 

 

The Triangle Tool Library has made a huge difference to the local community and is an example of how a disaster can trigger collective action and foster new business ventures.

A yearly $50 membership grants people access to around 450 tools, as well as advice on how to tackle building projects and, importantly, social connections.

Membership is booming with the Tool Library’s members climbing from 200 to 300 within the past 12 months.

"We ran a survey of members that showed a demand for skills-based workshops. As a result, we now offer a range of workshops from “Chicks with Chainsaws” to “Gardening Basics"

All the items available at the Tool Library can be found online, and the inventory is only growing thanks to donations and grants, including $134,000 under the NSW Government's Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund.  

The funding provided through donations and grants has allowed the Triangle Tool Library to expand its offering and meet the changing needs of its community. Recent additions include fully equipped 'Resilience' trailers complete with everything one might need for large-scale building, gardening, and fencing jobs.  

The Tool Library is also likely to also have a major environmental benefit by reducing the consumption of resource-intensive power tools. With cheap, low-quality equipment and appliances so readily available, it’s not uncommon for people to purchase a tool for a one-off job and dispose of it once complete or when the equipment no longer works.  

By becoming a member of the Triangle Tool Library, community members can make a more sustainable choice by utilising high-quality, regularly maintained tools on a needs-be basis without putting a dent in the pocket.

Find out more about the Triangle Tool Library and how to become a member by visiting their website.

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