In a nutshell...
Seaweek:  Council park rangers are guiding walks along the coast for Seaweek '99 (ends 21 March). This year's theme is "Treasures of the Coast" and talks, beach clean-ups and competitions for school children are also being held.
For more information contact environmental promotion officer Kerry Everingham on 371 1779 or Coast Care co-ordinator Kay Holder on 379 1660.

Green Cuisine:  "Reduce waste to save the world" is an aim of Christchurch's Blue Jean Cuisine. A restaurant-bar in two locations, Blue Jean is a good example of a business which has taken the idea of recycling at home into the workplace, says Karyn Durham, of the Council's Waste Management Unit. Restaurant staff members recycle glass; put flattened corrugated cardboard out weekly for the free Paper Chain collection; have food waste collected by a pig farmer; and recycle tins and some plastics through the transfer station. Owner Murray Traill emphasises how important it is for business owners and managers to make a commitment to reducing waste and for all staff to be involved.
Businesspeople who would like information about how to "reduce, reuse, recycle" should contact Karyn Durham on 941 6426.

Green Retail:  Retailers interested in becoming involved in the next Green Retail waste minimisation programme, which begins next month, should also contact Karyn Durham on 941 6426.

Organic Directory:  The Council-supported Organic Garden City Trust has produced a directory of producers and sellers of organic produce. The Canterbury Organic Directory includes information about organic meat, beer and wine. It is available from the Environment Centre above The Body Shop, City Mall, ph 379 2257.

Dog-free Zones:  While the Council is continually developing areas and parks especially for dogs, there is no escaping the fact dogs are not allowed in some places. No-dog areas include all children's playgrounds; Council swimming pools; the City Centre and shopping malls; the Botanic Gardens and some other gardens and reserves, and parts of City beaches (mainly near surf lifesaving clubs). The only exception is for working dogs such as guide dogs.
To check where dogs are allowed, contact the Council's Animal Control Unit on 389 1477.

Focus on business
A ministerial meeting for APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation) in Christchurch next month will focus on the business of small and medium-sized firms.
The meeting, from 26 to 28 April, will be the first ministerial meeting for APEC 1999. It will be followed by a senior officials' meeting from 29 April to 7 May, which is expected to attract about 600 participants.
An economic study done last year, by Infometrics Consulting, estimated that Christchurch would net around $800,000 from hosting these meetings.
An APEC information brochure can be obtained at Council service centres and libraries.

New voice for residents
Christchurch residents have a new source of assistance to help them deal with the City Council.
Working with residents in the six Community Board areas, new community advocates and their teams are the first point of contact with the Council for people at a local level. Their role is literally to advocate within the Council and other organisations, on behalf of residents who have a particular requirement or need something done.


Barbara Ford is community advocate for Shirley/Papanui. Formerly community manager for the area, she and her team of five are committed to helping local residents in their contact with the Council. The advocates will seek to be more proactive rather than re-active.

"When things go wrong in the community, lack of communication is usually to blame."
"Community advocates will take the initiative to meet and discuss issues with individual residents and community groups. We need to identify concerns and find opportunities for the Council and community to work together," she says. According to Barbara, an example of the principle in practice was where a skateboard ramp was placed in a park, causing potential conflict between the neighbours of the park and skaters. "Feelings were strong, but after meeting with all parties we were able to set up a group including neighbours, community board members, Council staff and skaters. This group monitors use of the ramp, ensuring the interests of all are adequately met."

"If this meeting had been called at the start, the anguish could have been avoided. Identifying opportunities like this, rather than reacting when things go wrong, is where the the community advocate and the advocacy team can prove their worth. Many people only contact the Council when they have a problem and often they do not know who to speak to. Smoothing this interaction is our challenge," says Barbara. Acting as principal advisor to their respective Community Boards is another major part of each community advocate's role. Christchurch's community advocates are:

• Burwood-Pegasus: Peter Francis, Shirley Service Centre ph 385 3079.
• Fendalton-Waimairi: Tony Gemmill, Fendalton Service Centre ph 351 7109.
• Hagley-Ferrymead: Alan Dunlop, Linwood Service Centre ph 389 1477.
• Riccarton-Wigram: Martin Maguire, Sockburn Service Centre ph 348 5119.
• Shirley-Papanui: Barbara Ford, Papanui Service Centre ph 352 8117.
• Spreydon-Heathcote: Nick Chapman, Beckenham Service Centre ph 332 3099.