ICENG works for community spirit

ICENG members (from left) Belle Melzer, Sushila Budhia, Monica Reedy and Sister Diana Thomas.

ICENG (pronounced Icing), the Inner City East Neighbourhood Group, formed in July 1997, is a vigorous group.

It has many issues on its plate but several stand out at present — the effects of central city revitalisation on its neighbourhood, loss of low- income housing, youth boredom, rubbish, and inspiring community spirit.

ICENG looks forward to contribution significantly to central- city revitalisation concepts to ensure changes are well planned and its community is further strengthened.

ICENG members Monica Reedy, Sister Diana Thomas, Sushila Budhia and Belle Melzer agree that in- fill housing has had its drawback in the community.

With design guidelines yet to be established for the new, new housing has little relation with existing properties. The blocking of sunlight and lack of privacy are also issues related to increased housing density.

Residents in newer properties lack the same degree of community involvement and commitment as that of longer- term residents - some have live there for more than 40 years.

The group is the official residents’ association in the area east of Latimer Square and attracts up to 35 to its monthly meetings.

Two meetings were held to unveil the concept of the central- city revitalisation at which residents put forward their ideas for the area.

Leaflets dropped in 1300 letters boxes keep residents informed of activities. In Neighbourhood Week (28 October3 November) the group hopes to organise a Clean Up Week to encourage residents their street frontages.

ICENG will be asking Christchurch City Council to supply an extra bag for each property to help in the neighbourhood tidy-up.

ICENG is the Inner City East Neighbourhood Group: Contact Belle Melzer, ph 365 1789. Meetings on the second Thursday each month.

A small reserve at the corner of Stanmore Road and Tuam Street has been brightened up with an unauthorised mural of delphiniums. It is much admired by local folk. The artist was not known for some time until Sam Billings was commissioned to prepare a repeat mural on a fence in Stanmore Road, not far from the original. He signed that one.