Community Boards Conference – Final Address

Saturday 9 June 2007

As community board members you are the leaders in your community. The mission given to you by the Local Government Act is to be elected to serve and advocate for the needs of your community.

Here's a few things we have been doing in Christchurch;

1 Shirley Stream Enhancement

There are a number of areas in Christchurch that are or have been prone to flooding. It was a flood relief scheme and the installation of a diversion pipe that caused the Shirley Stream to lose its base flow. This caused problems and the steam became a dumping ground for litter, and a source of insects and smells. In 1993 Council received a petition from residents asking for the piping of the waterway.

Council was not in favour of piping because of the cost, loss of in stream storage for flood relief and the potential loss of environmental values.

There were three public meetings. At the first meeting the feeling was very much in favour of piping the stream. There was a walkover of the area of staff and residents.

Two more public meetings were held and by the third public meeting the majority of residents were positive about the restoration of the stream.

Native plantings now maturing and maintained by city contractor.

Community Board role

• Consultation process inspired the residents to form a local Shirley Residents Group.
• Need to address problems at the earliest opportunity
• Consultation needs face to face contact with people
• Keep promises and feedback changes
• Don't be chained to past practise.

2 New Brighton War Memorial Hall

Council staff wanted to demolish the hall because it was an earthquake risk. Community very much against this because it wasn't just a hall it was their war memorial they felt it should be kept. The community board advocated for the retention of the hall and here it is today.

3 Papanui Youth Facility

The Papanui Youth facility is a testament to the power that can be generated to achieve great results when a number of communities work together. In this instance the Anglicans and Baptists worked with the Te Papanui Trust to build this facility for young people and the result is first rate. It's got a coffee lounge and kitchen and a sculpted climbing wall. Computers are being installed and equipment will be installed for a recording studion and an arts and crafts room. All through working together.

4 Styx Living Laboratory Trust

The Styx Living Laboratory Trust was set up primarily to ensure that the Vision to set up the Styx catchment as a 'Living Laboratory that focuses on both learning and research' is realised.

The role of the trust board (voluntary) is to develop and implement research and learning programmes within the Styx catchment. Partners in the Living Laboratory Trust include: Christchurch City Council, the Shirley Papanui Community Board Environment Canterbury

5 Shirley Marshlands Road right phase

This was a case where the traffic engineer consistently wrote in his reports to Council that the need to maintain traffic flow had priority. The Shirley Papanui Community Board consistently recommended to Council against this advice. The community said we want a right phase for safety reasons.

Introduce next community board conference.

I am delighted to say that the next community board conference will be held in Christchurch, March 2009. This is really appropriate as the city hosted the first conference twenty years ago in 1997.

The theme will be 20 years of Community Boards Achieving Excellence.

ENDS