History – Page 4 – 10 Shirley Road

‘Crossway Church’ Proposal

1. Crossway Community Church History
2. Crossway Deputation to Shirley/Papanui Community Board (17 July 2013)
3. ‘Councillors back Shirley Community Site’ News Article (16 August 2013)
4. Shirley/Papanui Community Board Information Exchange (6 August 2014)
5. Christchurch City Council Elected Member Update (24 March 2015)
6. Shirley Community Facility Meeting Feedback (30 April 2015)
7. Shirley Community Facility Rebuild Staff Report (19 August 2015)
8. Shirley/Papanui Community Board Staff Report (6 July 2016)
9. Crossway Community Centre Submission Report (22 March 2016)
10. ‘Community centre in Shirley stalled’ News Article (19 July 2016)
11. Shirley Community Centre Feasibility Report and Business Case (8 August 2019)

The land at 10 Shirley Road is classified as reserve, vested in the Council by the Crown to be held “in trust for local purpose (site for a community centre)”.
“That means the land could not be used for any other purpose than a community centre.
It also appears the land could not simply sit ‘vacant’.”
9. Shirley Community Facility Rebuild – 10 Shirley Road (2015)
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2015/08/SPCB_19082015_AGN.PDF

1. Crossway Community Church History
“Crossway Community Church was formed through the amalgamation of the parishes of Shirley Methodist and St Columba Presbyterian Churches.
Shirley Methodist Church was founded in 1866 and St Columba Presbyterian in 1916, so both have a long history of worship and witness in the Shirley-Richmond area.”
https://crosswaychurch.org.nz/about-us/

2. Crossway Deputation to Shirley/Papanui Community Board (17 July 2013)
https://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/TheCouncil/meetingsminutes/agendas/2013/July/ShirleyPapanui17July2013CONFIRMEDMINUTES.pdf
(Part A – Matters Requiring a Council Decision, 1. Deputations By Appointment, Page 1)
“Public–Private Partnership Proposal for Community Facility Shirley/Richmond Area
Jill Hawkey, Strategic Planning Coordinator, and the Reverend Joohong Kim, Minister of Crossway Community Church, attended to present a deputation regarding a proposal for a public-private partnership between the Christchurch City Council and the Methodist/Presbyterian Church to establish a new community facility for the Shirley/Richmond area.
BOARD CONSIDERATION
The Board considered the information provided to them by Jill Hawkey and agreed that a shared community facility in the Shirley/Richmond area is needed as there are groups currently requiring space to resume community activities.
Staff tabled correspondence from the Acting Chief Executive Officer to Jill Hawkey, which acknowledged that the proposal for a community facility had considerable appeal and should be presented to the Shirley/Papanui Community Board as the first stage in Council giving it consideration.
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
The Board supports in principle the proposal by Crossway Community Church to establish a public private partnership and recommends that the Council:
(a) Grant a long term lease for the former Shirley Community Centre site at 10 Shirley Road to Crossway Community Church.
(b) Note the Crossway Community Church (with the support of its parent bodies, the Methodist Church of New Zealand and the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand) proposes, through engagement with the local community and stakeholders, to design and build a new multipurpose community facility available for both the church and wider community.
(c) Note that the Church intends to fund the capital project and manage and operate the facility according to an operational plan agreed under the public-private partnership within available funding.
(d) Note the importance of the geotechnical investigation for the proposed site at 10 Shirley Road and requests that the Council undertake an urgent geotechnical investigation.
(e) Consider this proposal by Crossway Community Church.”

3. ‘Councillors back Shirley Community Site’ News Article (16 August 2013)
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/9048840/Councillors-back-Shirley-community-site
“Christchurch City councillors are backing in principle a proposal by the Methodist Church to build a new community facility in Shirley that could also serve as their place of worship.
Reverend Joohong Kim, a minister of the Crossway Community Church, yesterday told councillors the quakes had left the Shirley/Richmond bereft of community facilities.
Kim said his church had settled its insurance claim and had funds available to invest in a new building. It wanted to spend that money on a new facility, preferably on the site of the old Shirley Community Centre in Shirley Rd, which could serve both its needs and the needs of the local community.
It was willing to pay for the cost of constructing the facility and the running of it, if the council was willing to grant a long-term lease on the land.
Shirley-Papanui Community Board chairman Chris Mene said the community board unanimously supported the Crossway Community Church’s proposal for a public/private partnership.
Deputy Mayor Ngaire Button said the Shirley community had huge needs and to a large extent they had suffered in silence over the past three years.
“There is just no community space there. I really hope you support this.”
But Cr Yani Johanson said he was concerned the proposal had not gone through proper council channels.*”

* see ‘Procurement Policy’, ‘How to tender for a contract’ & ‘Unsolicited proposals’
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/the-council/tenders-and-contracts/

4. Shirley/Papanui Community Board Information Exchange (6 August 2014)
https://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/TheCouncil/meetingsminutes/agendas/2014/August/ShirleyPapanuiUNConfirmedMins6Aug14.pdf
(8. Elected Members’ Information Exchange, Page 4)
“The Board decided to request an update on the proposed Crossway Church development on the site of the former Shirley community centre and that all relevant updated information be communicated to all relevant parties.”

5. Christchurch City Council Elected Member Update (31 March 2015)
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2015/03/CHED_31032015_AGN.PDF
(Communities, Housing and Economic Development Committee, Page 32)
“Project: Shirley Community Centre. A meeting was held on 17/02/15 between CCC PM, representatives of church groups proposing to establish a facility on the site of old Community Centre, and the CCC Asset Owner.
At this meeting the church provided background on their work to date and the mechanics of their offering.
CCC PM is now gathering information internally to understand status from a property and community support point of view.
Feedback received as part of this will inform whether or not further stakeholder consultation is required.
The end output will be a recommendation report by the Asset Owner to the Community Board and Council regarding the Church Group’s offering.
An update is to be provided to the Community Board via a seminar sitting on 1 April, but it is highly unlikely that the recommendation report will be available at that time.”

6. Shirley Community Facility Meeting Feedback (12 June 2015)
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2015/08/SPCB_19082015_AGN.PDF
(Shirley Community Centre Feedback Table, Pages 30-32)
Letter to Meeting Attendees (30 April 2015) from John Filsell, Recreation and Sports Manager, Recreation and Sports Unit, Christchurch City Council.
“Thank you all for joining us at the community meeting on 30 April 2015 to discuss the Shirley Community Facility.
This was an opportunity for Council officers to listen to the views of the community on the Shirley Community Facility and a proposal from Crossways to build and operate a new facility on the site.
The points of interest presented at the meeting were recorded. I have summarised them and they are presented in the table below.
By far the most common message was the need to act and act soon. It was felt that it has been over four years since the quake and the need for a community facility has grown.
From here we intend to consider all the feedback received and refresh our understanding of all the other existing information. We will aim to get a thorough understanding of what Council and others are doing in neighbouring areas.
Using this information I report back to the Shirley Papanui Community Board identifying options and seeking a decision on how we move forward.”

7. Shirley Community Facility Rebuild Staff Report (19 August 2015)
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2015/08/SPCB_19082015_AGN.PDF
(Staff Report, Pages 17-28)
1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek approval to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the open market inviting proposals for the development and operation of a Community Centre or similar at 10 Shirley Road, the site of the former Shirley Community Centre.
1.2. This report follows a Council decision on 15 August 2013, and further consultation with the Community.
1.3. Specifically, at the meeting of the Council on 15 August 2013 it was resolved that Council:
Ask Staff to prepare a report on the proposal of Crossway Community Church to establish a public-private partnership, noting the request to grant a long term lease for the former Shirley Community Centre site at 10 Shirley Road to Crossway Community Church.
1.4. While this report discusses the proposal from the Crossway Community Church, as a result of community consultation staff consider it would be appropriate to provide an opportunity for all parties to present proposals on how any establishment of a Community Facility at 10 Shirley Road should occur.

Staff Recommendations
3.1. That the Shirley/ Papanui Community Board recommend to Council that it instruct Council Officers to prepare and release a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the open market inviting proposals for the development and operation of a Community Centre or similar at 10 Shirley Road.

4.2. The following reasonably practicable options have been considered:
– Option 1 (preferred option): Request For Proposal (RFP).
Under this option an RFP would be released to the open market asking respondents to put forward a proposal as to how best a Shirley Community Facility should be re-established at 10 Shirley Road.
The RFP document would signal an openness to a wholly third party funded and managed facility, a wholly Council funded (using $2.52m from Community Facilities Rebuild Tranche 1) and managed facility or any mixture of approaches.
– Option 2: Straight application of Tranche 1 funds.
Under this option no RFP would be released and Council staff would instead proceed with consultation to inform design of a wholly Council funded facility at 10 Shirley Road utilising the Tranche 1 allocation of $2.52m.
The operating model for the community facility would be determined separately.
– Option 3: Straight acceptance of Crossways proposal.
Under this option Council staff would receive delegation to directly progress a lease with Crossways Church who are proposing to fund and manage a replacement Community Facility at 10 Shirley Road.
– Option 4: Do not rebuild a replacement facility at 10 Shirley Road.
Under this option no replacement facility would be established on 10 Shirley Road. The $2.52m of funding allocated in Tranche 1 would either be used to establish a Shirley Facility on an alternate site or returned to the fund for allocation elsewhere as appropriate.

5.6. The Crossways Group first formally met with Christchurch City Council Staff on the 22nd of March 2013 regarding the possibility of leasing Council land to build a facility to replace churches lost in the earthquakes.
At that meeting Council staff outlined site information and requirements, identified key stakeholder groups that would need to be consulted, and recommended Crossways submits a proposal to the City Council.
5.7. On the 24th of April 2013 the Crossways Group met with representatives of the Delta Trust and Shirley Community Centre Society Incorporated. Crossways outlined their desire to seek a lease of the former Shirley Community Centre site, 10 Shirley Road, from Council to a group of interested organisations who would fund the erection of a building on the site to incorporate Church facilities, a hall, and meeting rooms etc. and this Centre could be managed by representatives from the involved organisations.
5.8. Following the meeting of 24 April 2013, the Shirley Community Centre Society Incorporated (SCCSI) sent a letter to the Crossways Group thanking them for the meeting, asking to be kept in contact regarding further developments, but advising that the SCCSI was not prepared to formally commit to the proposal at that point.
5.9. On the 17th of July 2013 the Crossways Group made a deputation to the Shirley/Papanui Community Board. In a letter dated 23rd of July 2013, setting out the agreement that the Board reached following the deputation, Crossways were advised that:
The board supports in principle the proposal by Crossway Community Church to establish a public-private partnership.
5.10. Following the Community Board’s agreement, the Crossways Group proposal was presented via deputation to the Council at the meeting of 15 August 2013.
At that meeting the motion was declared carried, that the Council:
a) Ask Staff to prepare a report on the proposal of Crossway Community Church to establish a public-private partnership, noting the request to grant a long term lease for the former Shirley Community Centre site at 10 Shirley Road to Crossway Community Church.
b) Note that the Crossway Community Church (with the support of its parent bodies, the Methodist Church of New Zealand and the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand) proposes, through engagement with the local community and stakeholders, to design and build a new multipurpose community facility available for both the church and wider community.
c) Note that the Church intends to fund the capital project and manage and operate the facility according to an operational plan agreed under the public-private partnership within available funding.
d) Note the importance of the geotechnical investigation for the proposed site at 10 Shirley Road.
5.11. Crossways held a “community consultation” meeting on November 21st 2013 inviting identified community stakeholders.
At this meeting the Crossways Group outlined their proposal and
sought feedback both on the general approach and also stakeholder’s requirements for a multipurpose facility.
5.12. The Crossways Group received a variety of feedback on their proposal at the meeting of 21 November 2013, both for and against.
5.13. After refining their proposal as a result of feedback to date, representatives of the Crossways Group again met with Council staff to discuss potential lease arrangements and ground improvements.
Council staff suggested that it would be helpful to have some initial concept plans to review and to provide reassurance that the proposed structure would be a genuine multipurpose facility rather than solely a place of worship with meeting rooms added.
5.14. At a meeting on 28 August 2014, the Council resolved to:
“33.1 Approve the Tranche 1 prioritised programme.
33.2 Approve funding as amended in total from the Facilities and Infrastructure Improvement – New Borrowing Allowance comprising:
$29,087,059 for Community Facilities and
$11,703,596 for Heritage Facilities
33.3 Apply proceeds of any insurance claim for these facilities to the Facilities and Infrastructure Improvement – New Borrowing Allowance.”
5.15 Within the Tranche 1 programme as approved, $2.52m was allocated to a new Shirley Community Centre.
5.16 Council staff held a community meeting on 30 April 2015 regarding Shirley Community Facilities.
This included a discussion regarding the Crossways proposal as well as a wider feedback discussion on community requirements for facility/ies in Shirley.

8. Shirley/Papanui Community Board Staff Report (6 July 2016)
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2016/07/SPCB_20160706_AGN_685_AT.PDF
(10. Shirley Community Facility – 10 Shirley Road, Pages 39-52)
1.1 The purpose of this report is for the Shirley/Papanui Community Board to receive the information contained within and to instruct staff on how to proceed regarding the reinstatement of a Combined Community Facility at 10 Shirley Road.
1.4 Subsequently at the Council meeting of 10 September 2015, it was resolved on the motion of Councillor Cotter, seconded by Councillor Jones, that the Council instruct Council Officers to prepare and release a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the open market inviting proposals for the development and operation of a Community Centre or similar at 10 Shirley Road.

9. Crossway Community Centre Submission Report (22 March 2016)
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2016/07/SPCB_20160706_AGN_685_AT.PDF
(Crossway Community Centre, Community Facility – 10 Shirley Road Submission Report 22/03/2016, Page 53-115)
1. Proposed Crossway Community Centre Site Plan, Preliminary Concept, Building Layout (Page 68 & 69)
2. Required Council Contribution (Page 71):
– Site Remediation
Council to fully fund cost of ground improvements required to construct the proposed building on the site.
Council to fund cost of capping the spring located on the site.
Council to fund on site stormwater attenuation and treatment if required as part of the consenting process.
– Council Grant towards Cost of Construction
– Ongoing Contribution
To assist with keeping room hire fees affordable for the community, Council is requested to meet the cost of ground rent, rates and water for the facility.
– Grounds
Because the site is a public park and significantly larger than the requirements of the community centre, it is requested Council continues to maintain the playground and grounds surrounding the building including removal of rubbish and emptying of public rubbish bins.
3. “There are no other space in the Shirley area at present which could be considered to be the ‘hub’ of the community providing affordable indoor and outdoor spaces for community groups and people to gather.” (Page 74)
4. 6.1 Cost Estimate (Page 81)
Quantity Surveyor’s Estimate
Construction of the Building
Siteworks, drainage, services connections
Furniture, fittings and equipment
Contingency and Escalation
Consents & Consultant Fees
TOTAL $4,670,000 (2016)
This estimate excludes ground improvements, capping well, stormwater attenuation and treatment as Crossway is requesting Council meet the cost of these items.
This Quantity Surveyor’s estimate is designed to give an initial indication of how much the building could be constructed for.
The building is yet to be designed in any detail.

10. ‘Community centre in Shirley stalled’ News Article (19 July 2016)
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/59766419/norwest-news-july-19-2016
“The rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre has stalled after a private funding plan was rejected.
The Crossway Community Church proposed to the Shirley-Papanui Community Board that a collaboration between the church and the city council be used to fund and maintain the new centre.
The church would have invested $2.5m to the new centre and the city council $1.5m.
The board rejected the proposal with a 4-3 vote at a recent meeting.
Board chairman Mike Davidson said he was ‘uncomfortable’ with the level of investment needed by the city council to make it work with the church.
Cr Pauline Cotter also shared this sentiment, saying she was not happy with the terms of the agreement.
The plan now is to replicate some of the learnings the board had while getting the St Albans Community Centre off the ground.
‘It will probably start with a working party to find out what the community wants and needs. From there, things start to take off pretty quickly,’ Mr Davidson said.
He could not give a definitive time frame around when a working party would be formed, but the board is looking at its options to start sooner rather than later.”
(Front Page & Page 5)

11. Shirley Community Centre Feasibility Report and Business Case (8 August 2019)
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shirley_Community_Centre_Feasibility_Report_and_Business_Case_August_2019.pdf
“On the 24 April 2013, the Crossways Group met with representatives of the Delta Trust and Shirley Community Centre Society Incorporated.
Crossways outlined their desire to seek a lease of the former Shirley Community Centre site from Council to a group of interested organisations who would fund the erection of a building on the site to incorporate Church facilities, a hall, and meeting rooms, etc. and that this Centre be managed by representatives from the involved organisations.
They followed this up with a deputation to Council in July 2013.
Council rejected their application with a view to gaining further information before decisions were made.”
(Introduction, Page 3)

“In September 2015 the Community Board instructed staff to develop a request for proposal for 10 Shirley Road.
One proposal was received and that was from the Methodist Church of NZ (Crossways Group).
This was for an approximately $4.7M facility, seeking $1.5M from Council.
The Option was assessed, and the Community Board with Crossways sought advice on a length of term 33 years with a 16 year right of renewal.
In the end, Council decided not to grant the lease for the development of a Crossways Community facility on this site.
Much of the rationale for the objections to the proposal seem to be based on Church ownership issues, and a lack of clarity or master planning for the area.
There also seemed to be a clear lack of understanding of partnership language by both organisations, Council was unclear as to its future role and Crossways had not been able to clearly articulate its ability and willingness to be inclusive of the community.
The mechanisms to make the project appealing to the wider community were not present and their application instead described in detail the Church operating system and hierarchy.
The background discussions paint a picture of some unease with a Church led project on the Council site and some residents in the community needed convincing of the value of this approach.
There is a significant history to this project with the Methodist Church and Council’s Shirley/Papanui Community Board deputation’s, letters reports and Community Board recommendations.
There are comments that the Crossways group were able to allay many of the fears of local groups at that time through open dialogue and discussion.
At the same time, the Council completed a community consultation process.
The work was undertaken by Open Strategies in November 2017.
Its report provides a unique window into what local residents identified as needed in a new community facility.
It contrasted in many ways with the proposal then submitted to the Shirley Papanui Community Board by Crossways.”
(History and background to 10 Shirley Road, Page 6-7)

13.1 Appendix 1. Key Informant Interviews
Meeting Jill Hawkey: Methodist Church, 24th January 2019 (Page 36)
– Re the Crossways project in the end they have formed a group with the Shirley Community Trust/Methodists. They connected with the Methodist Baptists so that the North Avon Church run Delta Trust is a part of the project and will be important in terms of community programming given the size of their programme footprint. A good result in the end and Delta do good things in the community.
– Its important that the Shirley Community Centre does not interrupt but instead complements the activity already underway.
– Collectively there are a number of active Church related programmes in the area.
– That said it does raise the question that there is perhaps less non-church provision and this could be a gap.

13.2 Appendix 2. Chronology – 10 Shirley Road
June 2017, Council Annual Plan 2017 – 18 (Page 41)
That the Council:
Bring the rebuild of Shirley Community Centre forward to the 2018/19 year, from 2021/22 and 2022/23 years, as part of the 2018-2028 Long Term Plan process to demonstrate the Council’s commitment to providing appropriate community facilities in this area.
Subsequently this decision was reprioritised, and funding for the rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre was pushed out to 2021/2022 and 2022/23 years.

‘Shirley Road Central’ Group

1. Name
2. Constitution
3. Committee Members
4. Current Status
5. Website
6. Facebook Page
7. Facebook Community Group
8. “Where is our Community Centre” Petition
9. Submissions to the Christchurch City Council
10. Events
11. Letters of Support from Local Christchurch MPs
12. “The Future for Shirley Road Central” News Article (May 2021)
13. ‘Study to determine feasibility of Christchurch community centre’ News Article (16 July 2021)
14. ‘Lengthy delay in centre rebuild an ‘injustice’ News Article (4 August 2022)
15. ‘Shirley Community Centre’s future to be decided’ News Article (24 July 2023)

1. Name
– Shirley Road Central Incorporated (50064847)

– Why ‘Shirley Road Central’?
10 Shirley Road is central to connecting communities in Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Edgeware, St Albans & Mairehau.

– Why the suburbs of Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Edgeware, St Albans & Mairehau?
When you draw a 2km radius from 10 Shirley Road, these are the suburbs included in this area.
https://www.shirleyroadcentral.nz/shirley-road-central/

2. Constitution
Aim:
To support the development of a community hub including a modern library, and meeting rooms on the site at 10 Shirley Road for the use of the surrounding communities.
Objects:
The objects of the Group are:
3.1 To encourage the urgent development of public facilities and activities particularly for the residents of the area:
3.2 To encourage any activity that promotes the wellbeing of residents of the area:
3.3 To engage in any charitable activities for the benefit of the locality and residents of the area.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shirley-Road-Central-Constitution-2021.pdf

3. Committee Members
Joanna Gould, Don Gould, Jennifer Dalziel, Joanne Byrne, Margaret Stewart, Mark Wilson, Stephen McPaike, Jacqueline Tither, Paul Smith, Tuangane Matangi, Jason Harvey, Alan Liefting, Melinda Biggs, Jennifer McKinnel & Paul McKinnel

4. Current Status
Registered: 11 May 2021 to 28 Oct 2022.
Dissolved: 28 Nov 2022.

Dissolution of Incorporated Societies, 7th November 2024
Shirley Road Central, 50064847
https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2024-is5608

The ‘Shirley Road Central’ (SRC) residents group was setup just before the Christchurch City Council’s Long Term Plan in 2021.

In order to be seen as an official ‘Community Organization’ & not just a ‘Facebook group’ by Council staff, to enable our group to have extra time to speak at the CCC LTP verbal submission hearings.

The group’s constitution shows the aim was to advocate for a new community hub (modern library & meeting rooms) but divisions occurred over:
– ‘new’ community hub vs replacement ‘traditional’ community centre &
– ‘advocating’ for a new building vs ‘activating’ the 10 Shirley Road site.

Currently the SRC Website* is still live, but no longer updated.
SRC Facebook* Page & Community Group are still active & updated.
* I setup a separate SRC website & Facebook to distinguish between the SRC group view & my personal ideas/research as ‘Shirley Centre 10 Shirley Road’.

5. Website
https://www.shirleyroadcentral.nz/

6. Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/shirleyroadcentral/

7. Facebook Community Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/shirleyroadcentral/

8. “Where is our Community Centre” Petition
– LTP 2021-2031 Petition from Shirley Road Central
“This petition was submitted to Council at the Long Term Plan (2021 to 2031) meeting in 2021 from the Shirley Road Central group.
The petition contains signatures in support of a new community facility on the Shirley Community Reserve.
The petition also resulted in Council asking staff to develop an updated feasibility study, looking at what options are appropriate for the reserve.”
https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/download_file/133/495

– “Where is our Community Centre” Petition
‘Shirley Road Central’ group members collected signatures/comments through an online ‘Change’ petition & in person via door knocking, outside local schools & onsite at ‘activation’ events like ‘Skip Day’, held at 10 Shirley Road.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/where-is-our-community-centre-petition/

9. Submissions to the Christchurch City Council
– 12.05.21, Item 3: Jennifer Dalziel & Joanne Burn – Shirley Road Central
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhAT6iATaE8

– 11.05.22, Item 3: Shirley Rd Central, Jennifer Dalziel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKou63gGnws

10. Events
In my opinion, the ‘Pop up’ activities to ‘activate’ the 10 Shirley Road site had little success in creating connections: to the 10 Shirley Road site & between local residents.
Events like ‘Skip Day’ & the ‘Car Boot Sale’ organised by the ‘Shirley Road Central’ group:
– required many people to be involved in the planning & running of these events.
– more hours were invested in planning/meetings, than the actual duration of the event.
– Events had to be postponed or cancelled due to the weather.

11. Letters of Support from Local Christchurch MPs
– “The Richmond, Avonside, Dallington and Shirley Locals have a brilliant concept in their application to provide a Library and Education space and this new Community Centre could also provide a range of opportunities for the locals…
A space for after school activities and holiday programmes and possibly a venue for hire.
The Community Centre could also house NGO’s as well as drop in sessions for local organisations who could provide advice and assistance to those in need including Wellbeing/Health and Youth Clinics.
A Community Centre is a place where you are bringing everyone in the community together of all ethnicities and therefore I fully support this application.”
Hon Poto Williams, Member of Parliament for Christchurch East
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/poto-williams-support-letter/

– “I write in support of further exploration of the community centre concept proposed for 10 Shirley Road.
While this is not in my electorate the area serviced by such a centre would cross into Christchurch Central and benefit my constituents.
I have read the support letter provided by MP for Christchurch East, Hon Poto Williams, and I am happy to add my support to her views and encourage council to consider exploring the idea further, such as commissioning a feasibility study for full review including the future of the current Shirley Library.”
Dr Duncan Webb, Member of Parliament for Christchurch Central
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/duncan-webb-support-letter/

12. “The Future for Shirley Road Central” News Article (May 2021)
https://www.aveburyhouse.co.nz/uploads/4/7/2/0/47203855/rcn_152w.pdf
Richmond Community News, Page 5
“Following the Christchurch earthquakes the community centre at 10 Shirley Road was demolished.
It was a popular and welcoming community asset situated on multiple bus routes, reaching out to the communities of Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Edgeware, St Albans and Mairehau.
A wide variety of people and groups attended this facility offering classes, courses and community events…
The library at the Palms is outdated and too small, it lacks meeting spaces and is not central to all local schools and bus routes.
Our communities are ethnically and socially diverse.
We have areas of social deprivation, and others of relative well being.
We have increased social housing, and increased high density, infill housing.
As our population grows, the demand for community facilities grows also.
Church facilities can be a barrier for some of our secular community members.
School facilities are often limited in the times they are available…
In 2021 the land remains empty.
Our communities have waited over a decade for a replacement facility, while watching tens of millions of dollars spent on new community facilities in other areas of the city.
The decision to not rebuild ours has disadvantaged our community and continues to do so.
Our vision is a new community hub at Shirley Road Central.
We want a modern future-focused library, with learning/meeting spaces for all ages and stages of life.
We want a centre that is inclusive and accessible for all.”

13. ‘Study to determine feasibility of Christchurch community centre’ News Article (16 July 2021)
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/study-determine-feasibility-christchurch-community-centre
An upcoming feasibility study could set the ball rolling on a $3 million community facility in east Christchurch.
Christchurch City Council’s Long Term Plan, approved last month, allocates $3 million towards a centre rebuild in the 2031-2032 financial year.
It also budgets $35,000 for a feasibility study to take place in the 2021-2022 financial year.
Innes Ward city councillor Pauline Cotter said the future of the project is in the hands of the community.
“It’s now with the community, they’re going to have to drive that,” Cotter said.
It is possible the $3 million funding could be brought forward if a building plan was ready and viable, she said.
Joanne Byrne, spokeswoman for the 10 Shirley Road [Shirley Road Central] group, helped organise a petition of over 1200 signatures which was presented to the council in May.
The community was devastated when funding was dropped from the last Long Term Plan and wanted to avoid a repeat of that scenario, she said.
Shirley Recreational Walkers leader Sue Lang said she hoped a new community centre would be built.
The site was currently home to a pump track and playground.
“That’s great, but it won’t meet the needs of the whole community,” Lang said.
However, she did not trust the council to pull through on the project.
“A decade is a long time to wait for when you’ve already waited a decade.”

14. ‘Lengthy delay in centre rebuild an ‘injustice’ News Article (4 August 2022)
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/67122699/pegasus-post-august-04-2022
An 11-year delay in rebuilding a community facility has been described as an “injustice” to a “forgotten suburb”.
Community group Shirley Road Central chair Jennifer Dalziel has been advocating for a rebuild since the old facility was demolished, and described the whole process as “hugely frustrating”.
“My position is the injustice of it,” she said.
“They call Shirley the forgotten suburb…it’s like Shirley is just left out of everything.”
In May last year, Dalziel, along with Shirley residents passionate about the rebuild of the community centre, created a petition advocating for it.
They gained more than 1200 signatures from the community.
Innes Ward councillor Pauline Cotter said she can understand why Dalziel has described the process as an “injustice”.
“I can empathise with the community for having a community centre that was then gone,” she said.
“I feel like this area is kind of almost last to have areas restored…Shirley, in particular, needs the stability.”
Cotter said she fought alongside Papanui Ward councillor Mike Davidson to get the money for a feasibility study allocated to the city council’s Long Term Plan.
She said the wheels are starting to turn now, and hopes the feasibility study will be presented to the community board by the end of the year.
Dalziel said the whole process has been an “uphill battle against authorities” but has hope that the community facility will be restored.
“They’ve [city council] agreed to do something but what it’s going to be, we don’t know.”
(Front Page & Page 4)

15. ‘Shirley Community Centre’s future to be decided’ News Article (24 July 2023)
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-south-today/shirley-community-centres-future-be-decided
Shirley residents are one step closer to a decision on the suburb’s Community Reserve.
The Christchurch City Council is calling for submissions on the future of the contentious site.
Speaking during a deputation to city councillors, Mark Wilson said the Shirley Community Centre had been well used before the quakes.
“There are other areas of the city which have recently had new community centres built, more money and tens of millions of dollars thrown at them.
“And here we are. Shirley is still struggling to get a community centre rebuilt that they lost after the earthquakes.
“It’s inadequate, it’s embarrassing”.
Wilson said the Shirley community had lost a lot and needed its community centre.
“Build it, and they will come”.

Legacy

Yesterday was Sunday 12th May, Mother’s Day.

For the last 4 years this day has been bittersweet.
While celebrating the joy of being a Mum to my son, Ben…

It is a reminder that my Mum, Marie Duggan is no longer with us. After a courageous journey living with terminal cancer for over two years, she passed away in November 2020.

“May your legacies far outlive your names.
May generations tell your stories.”
Danielle Coke Balfour

Her legacy lives on through me & through my son, Ben.
We regularly talk about her & imagine what she would say to us in different circumstances.
The impact she made in our lives is still felt today.

“But behind all your stories is always your mother’s story,
because hers is where yours begins.”
Mitch Albom, ‘For One More Day’

If I was to sum up my Mum in three words:
Faith, Family & Community.
I was blessed to be her daughter.
Much of who I am today is thanks to her.

My love for reading/learning is due to my Mum making sure we always had books in our house, with weekly visits with my four siblings to the Whanganui Library.

When I was 13, we shifted back to Christchurch. I followed in her footsteps & attended her old school: Villa Maria College, where faith & community service were part of our education.

“Have you ever thought about the legacy you’re leaving your family, your community, your world?
Most people never give it a second thought.
But a legacy is something you’re creating every day, whether you realize it or not.
What exactly is a legacy? Webster’s Dictionary defines ‘legacy’ as ‘something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.’”
Lisa Haisha
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-kind-of-legacy-are-y_b_951633

Today was the last day for the Draft Long Term Plan 2024-2034 Hearing of Verbal Submissions.

I didn’t make a verbal submission this year. You can read about my ‘why’ here:
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/why-are-we-still-waiting/

My written submission is here:
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-long-term-plan-2024-submission/

At the last Draft Long Term Plan, I was part of the newly formed ‘Shirley Road Central’ Incorporated group, that presented the ‘Where Is Our Community Centre?’ petition on 12th May 2021:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhAT6iATaE8

Over 1,200 residents signed the petition for a new building to be built at 10 Shirley Road.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/where-is-our-community-centre-petition/

A few days beforehand (my first Mother’s Day without my Mum), I was busy signing up committee members so our group would be seen as ‘official’ by Council staff (not just a Facebook group), then we would be given extra minutes for our verbal submission.

It was my way to honor my Mum & continue the fight to advocate for a new building at 10 Shirley Road.

Our connection to 10 Shirley Road is literally about births & deaths.
I attended antenatal classes at the Shirley Community Centre over 16 years ago.
My Mum attended the NZ Society of Genealogists – Canterbury Branch, where she spent many hours researching.

My love for research is thanks to watching/helping her search through documents in the Family History section of the old Central Library & seeing her sitting at our dining table trying to find the connections between family members.

At the beginning of 2021, my Dad gave me her original book on Charles Duggan, that we had worked together on over 30 years ago when I was a teenager.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/charles-duggan/

I had forgotten his story, so I started rereading it & realised our Charles Duggan was the C. Duggan, Librarian, named in the time capsule.

“Celebrations as new community centre opens [April 2021] in St Albans…The original foundation stone that was salvaged when the original building on the site was demolished is featured in the community centre.
The contents of a time capsule unearthed during the demolition of the former building have also been placed on the site of the new facility.”
https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/celebrations-as-new-community-centre-opens-in-st-albans

Listening to the then Mayor Lianne Dalziel speak about legacy, made me wonder what would Charles Duggan think, to know his legacy was still a part of St Albans.

A full circle moment for me as his descendant, advocating for a new centre/learning library at 10 Shirley Road:
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-concept-image/

Similar to his “St Albans Mutual Improvement Association” that focused on “The mutual mental improvement of its members. Classes for special studies of various subjects being formed, lectures on current topics, readings and discussions were also a part of the means devised for the advancement of culture and general knowledge.”

I like to think my Mum helped to remind me of Charles Duggan & find the rest of his story: his connection to St Albans & one of the earliest suburban library services in Christchurch.

She was my biggest supporter & sounding board for all my ideas.
As I grew up, she told me that I should become a librarian or a detective.

I sent her this song for one of her last Mother’s Day…
A Mother Like You by JJ Heller
“I know that it hasn’t been easy
I hope that I love like you do
‘Cause I know that this world would be better
If everyone had a mother like you”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_fqP-XJg2E

For the last two years of her life, she listened & encouraged me to keep advocating for my ‘Shirley Centre’ idea.

Talking about 10 Shirley Road helped to distract us from the pain journeys we were both on & gave us something to focus on that we both knew could benefit the generations to come.

“Be a good ancestor. Stand for something bigger than yourself.
Add value to the Earth during your sojourn.”
Marian Wright Edelman

From 1915 (original Shirley School built) to 2012 (Shirley Community Centre demolished), this site at 10 Shirley Road has historically been a ‘place of learning’ in our communities, for our residents.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/site-history/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/historic-landmark/

When will it be our year to establish a new building, a new legacy for the generations to come?
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/placemaking/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/third-place/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/bumping-spaces/

Before my Mum passed away she told me to forget about trying to change the Community Board/Council’s mind & just focus on doing my research.

But she also knew I was persistent, like her.
My ‘why’ I was advocating for a new Centre, was never just about me…
It was about all the people in our communities that would benefit from this space now & in the future.

One of my Mum’s favourite prayers was:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Which reminds me of the ‘Volunteering Canterbury’ Facebook Post, 13th March 2024
– What is it that YOU wonder about?
– What do you wish ‘somebody’ would do something about?
– Could you be that ‘somebody’?
“I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realised I was somebody.”
Lily Tomlin

Recently Ben & I were talking about my Mum’s legacy in our lives. I wondered out loud “What will be mine?”
Ben straight away said “Shirley Centre.”
I laughed at the time & said “but it may never get built.”

I’ve been thinking about our ‘legacy’ conversation since then & this quote comes to mind:
“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ben was 10 years old when I first presented my ‘Shirley Centre’ idea to Council in 2018:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-8LmUPeGcg

He has grown up listening to my research/ideas, been involved in collecting signatures for the petition, helped to ‘activate’ the site through ‘Skip Day’ & watched as I’ve presented to our Community Board/Council over the last 6 years.

Whether a building is built or not, this is a part of our family’s story/legacy.
From Charles Duggan, to my Mum – Marie Duggan, to me – Joanna Gould (Duggan) & to my son – Ben Gould…

“May your legacies far outlive your names.
May generations tell your stories.”

Location Location Location

In real estate ‘location’ is key. Properties can be bought & sold based on ‘location’.

In urban planning & placemaking ‘location’ is also key.
“Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of every community. Strengthening the connection between people and the places they share, placemaking refers to a collaborative process by which we can shape our public realm in order to maximize shared value. More than just promoting better urban design, placemaking facilitates creative patterns of use, paying particular attention to the physical, cultural, and social identities that define a place and support its ongoing evolution.”
https://www.pps.org/category/placemaking
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/placemaking/

The Shirley Community Reserve, located at 10 Shirley Road, is a ‘high profile, prime location, well situated with convenient access to local schools & transport routes’ in real estate terms.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/local-education-providers/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-transport/

Originally Shirley Road started at Westminster Street (now Aylesford Street), before crossing over Hills Road to Marshland Road.

Original Shirley Road, Christchurch City Libraries Map 1903?
https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Maps/174743.asp

This location has been part of our communities ‘local identity’ & ‘a place of learning’ since the original Shirley Primary School building was built on this site in 1915.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/site-history/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/original-building/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/historic-landmark/

In our newly adopted Christchurch City Council ‘Equity & Inclusion Policy’, children/parents/residents/ratepayers aren’t suppose to be discriminated against or penalised by where they can afford to live.
“Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities.
Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.”
“People should have equity, regardless of age*, gender, disability*, ethnicity, culture, faiths, geographical location*, sexual orientation, neurodiversity* or socio-economic status.*“
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-equity-and-inclusion-policy/
* age: see ‘Shirley Centre | Education Proivders’
* disability & neurodiversity: see ‘Shirley Centre | Support Providers’
* geographical location: see ‘Shirley Cenre | Libraries’
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-map/
* geographical location & socio-economic status:
See images below: CCC District Plan Zones & StatsNZ Deprivation Score for the areas around the Shirley Community Reserve.
Also see: https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-transport/

Christchurch City Council District Plan: Zones
H5: Shirley Community Reserve, 10 Shirley Road, Richmond
Residential Suburban Density Transition (West) & Residential Medium Density Zone (East)

Christchurch City Council District Plan: Notations
H5: Shirley Community Reserve, 10 Shirley Road, Richmond
Community Housing Redevelopment (North) & Dudley Character Area (South)

StatsNZ Deprivation Score (2018)
Blue Marker: Shirley Community Reserve, 10 Shirley Road, Richmond

Yet we have no suburban library in either the Innes or Central Ward?
Shirley Road is on the border of the Innes & Central Ward, since the Ward boundary & Community Board changes in 2022.
https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/how-the-council-works/governance/representation-review/
https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/The-Council/How-the-Council-works/2022-election/Maps/Christchurch-City-Council-Representation-Review-2021-Final-determination-amended-June-2022.pdf Page 21 & 23 StatsNZ Population

Christchurch City Libraries by Community Board/Ward
See ‘Shirley Centre | Libraries’: https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-map/
1. Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board
(5 suburban libraries)
https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/statistics-and-facts/community-profiles/coastal-burwood-linwood/
– Coastal: 3. Parklands Library & 5. New Brighton Library
– Burwood: 1. Shirley Library | The Palms Mall & 4. Aranui Library
– Linwood: 6. Linwood Library | Eastgate Mall
2. Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board
(2 suburban libraries)
https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/statistics-and-facts/community-profiles/fendalton-waimairi-harewood/
– Fendalton: 13. Fendalton Library
– Waimairi:
– Harewood: 14. Ōrauwhata Bishopdale Library and Community Centre
3. Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board
(3 suburban libraries)
https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/statistics-and-facts/community-profiles/hornby-halswell-riccarton/
– Halswell: 10. Te Hāpua Halswell Centre
– Hornby: 11. Matatiki Hornby Centre
– Riccarton: 12. Upper Riccarton Library
4. Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board
(2 suburban libraries & Tūranga)
https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/statistics-and-facts/community-profiles/papanui-innes-central/
– Papanui: 2. Papanui Library & 15. Redwood Library
– Innes:
– Central: 16. Tūranga (Metropolitan)
5. Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board
(3 suburban libraries)
https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/statistics-and-facts/community-profiles/spreydon-cashmere-heathcote/
– Spreydon: 9. Spreydon Library
– Cashmere: 8. South Library
Heathcote: 7. Matuku Takotako Sumner Centre
6. Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula Community Board
(4 libraries)
https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/statistics-and-facts/community-profiles/banks-peninsula/
Diamond Harbour, Little River, Akaroa & Lyttelton

From Papanui Road (Papanui Library/Papanui Ward) to Marshland Road (Shirley Library/Burwood Ward), children/residents/visitors are without access to a local suburban sized library.

The current (2nd) Shirley Library* is located on the edge of the Burwood Ward & has a limited book selection, no board room, meeting rooms or learning centre (flexible spaces) & didn’t rate well in the Youth Audit.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/youth-audit-shirley-library/

* There are no toilets available in the Library area.
Toilets for the building are located in the corridor off the Main Entrance to the building.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/christchurchcitylibraries/3978229955/in/album-72157611803290908/
Why is this an issue?:
– you have to leave unissued books in the library, due to security gates as you leave the Library area or take issued books into the Toilets.
– you can’t see the Toilets from the Library area:
a. Young children left unsupervised, could leave via the Main Entrance doors by the carpark.
b. If you have more than one child you can’t see them in the library, while attending to another child wanting to go to the toilet.
c. These toilets don’t align with the new ‘CCC Equity and Inclusion Policy’
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-equity-and-inclusion-policy/

“Shirley Library [1st] opened in July 1981 on a site now covered by The Palms.
Its’ approximate location was where the fruit and vegetable section of Woolworth’s supermarket now stands.”
“In January 29 1996 the new library [2nd] opened in a purpose-built building shared with the Christchurch City Council Shirley Service Centre.
The building included a boardroom* for the community board.”

* In the Shirley Libary (2nd) original plan: 1995, the Boardroom (which no longer exists) was located North off the Main Entrance.
The Shirley Service Centre was located right off the Main Entrance.

Today the Shirley Service Centre & NZ Post are located left off the Main Entrance, in the Library area.
The Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board Governance Team are located right off the Main Entrance, in the former Shirley Service Centre area.

Shirley Library (2nd) Original Plan: 1995

“The new library, which more than doubles the previous library, features an activities room for class visits, story times, senior citizens guest speaker programmes and other activities.
The building, designed by Ian Krause Architects Ltd and built by Fletcher Construction, was provided by the developers* of the new Shirley Shopping Centre – to be know as The Palms – to allow for expansion of the shopping centre and carpark over the previous library and service centre land.
The Christchurch City Council provided the fit out costs for the building.”
https://heritage.christchurchcitylibraries.com/Archives/52/Library150/Articles/ShirleyLibrary/
* See ‘The Palms Mall’ https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-funding/

Christchurch City Council & Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board, why are we still waiting?
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/why-are-we-still-waiting/
– Why isn’t there already a suburban sized local library in the Innes/Central Ward?
– Why after reading all this info/research, are we not bringing funding forward to plan/build a new suburban sized local library at the Shirley Community Reserve, 10 Shirley Road, where the Innes/Central Ward boundaries connect?

Other relevant Blog Posts:
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-integrated-planning-guide/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-citizen-hub-strategy/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-questions/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-positives/
‘New Shirley Centre | Ideas & Research’:
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-overview/

Shirley Centre Positives

Shirley Community Reserve: Positives to Participation

1. Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study (2019)
2. Christchurch City Council Equity and Inclusion Policy
3. Shirley Centre/Shirley Community Reserve Redevelopment Ideas
4. Other relevant Blog Posts

1. Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study (2019)
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-community-facility-feasibility-study/
7.3 Community Needs Analysis for Richmond
– Lack of low cost, creative and fun activities for after-school and school holidays.
– Mental health needs (adults through to children identified as a gap).
– Need for improved playground facilities across Richmond targeting pre-schoolers and small children.
(Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study, Page 22)
8. Need and Gap Assessment, Summary of Need
– With an aging population, it is important to also consider what has been lost that would be of value to older adults.
– Secular Bumping space (for casual interactions and cross-over between activities and areas) for adults like that provided in libraries.
– With increases in younger populations in some areas continued and increased provision could include:
School and pre-school age play, game and playground area space, linked in particular to young people population growth mainly in Shirley and Edgeware.
(Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study, Page 24)
9. Discussion, Fit with Christchurch City Council Network Plan
Providing hubs and focal points are important network plan outcomes.
9. Discussion, Breaking out of the box
– They make the point that often open space becomes a location for community centres (of a single-use type) and not a multi-use type.
– The space at 10 Shirley Road is an ideal location to consider in this way…it has a rich history of provision of community services, firstly as a school then as a community facility.
– Its high visibility is particularly attractive to young people.
(Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study, Page 26)
Potential Activity for the 10 Shirley Road Site
– With the provision of the correct infrastructure this site could be reborn as a new interpretation of a contemporary community centre.
(Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study, Page 27)
11. Ownership, Governance and Management Review, Governance and Trusts as vehicles to drive Community Outcomes
– One key issue is how to gain a level of co-ordination of efforts across these neighbourhoods.
– Each Trust and its umbrella collectives in the area has a limited reach that naturally extends to the boundary of the neighbourhood they serve…
(Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study, Page 31)
Table 9. Governance options toward increased activation of 10 Shirley Road
Option ‘Support an existing Trust’, Negatives of approach:
– Unfavourable treatment of one Trust over others
– Not one Trust that spans these two neighbourhoods
– Would be either Church or Non-church aligned
– That trust would not necessarily hold the vision (Community Plan) for the whole area
Option ‘All comers’ Approach’, Positives of approach:
– Perceived as fair
– Council is not partisan
Option ‘All comers’ Approach’, Negatives of approach:
– Council will need to manage the community planning process on behalf of community groups
– Councils role does not cover Welfare, Crime, Social and Housing areas directly
(Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study, Page 33)

2. Christchurch City Council Equity and Inclusion Policy
https://www.10shirleyroad.org/ccc-equity-and-inclusion-policy
“While school was a ‘safe’ place, any outings in the community felt like an obstacle course. With many barriers (known/unknown) to engagement/participation & concern over what would be the triggers in the environment today, that could/would create a sensory overload & lead to a meltdown/shutdown…
While out in the community, I feel like I’m ‘Secret Service for a VIP’ (very vigilant & observant of our surroundings) when I’m in ‘mum mode’, especially when my son was younger & I was just learning about sensory processing & what triggers him.
Outings to new places/events require preparation & become a research project: ‘The 5 W questions: Who, What, When, Why and Where’, interior/exterior photos, location, map route, car parking, costs involved, food options, what we need to take etc…During the outing, you are scanning the environment, making a mental memory map of layout/exits, tagging potential barriers/triggers, rerouting when required, answering questions, thinking of distraction tactics, exit strategies etc all the while trying to enjoy the outing, as you get live updates of sensory overload levels & whether a meltdown/shutdown is imminent…
When I wrote this post: https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/imagine/ & started advocating for a new Centre to be built, for me it was never about just building a replacement centre. After living in both Shirley & Richmond, I was very aware of the different groups of people living in these suburbs & what their needs were after observing in them in the school & community environments.
At the time, the school had families who spoke over 20 different languages & it made me realise how do you communicate/connect with someone who doesn’t speak or understand English very well?
What if we had a library with learning spaces across the road, easy instructions on how to get to it & computers with internet access, so we could use English translation websites to communicate/connect & give them the opportunity to attend ESOL programmes to help them improve their English skills, while their children were learning at school.
For those children like my neurodiverse child, where do they learn & have the opportunity to develop their social skills, outside of their school environment?
Where could their parents go to get the education/help/support they need to parent a neurodiverse child, before their child is diagnosed & afterwards?
I recently had a meeting with an AutismNZ Outreach Coordinator, I said ‘it shouldn’t be this hard to find/access resources to help you parent your child & support for the parent/caregiver.’ Most of the resources available are targeted at helping the child.
So where do you go as a parent/caregiver? I shared my vision for the Shirley Centre & she loved the idea ‘it would be so beneficial for so many families.'”
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CCCHaveYourSayDraftEquityandInclusion2023JoannaGould.pdf , Page 2

3. Shirley Centre/Shirley Community Reserve Redevelopment Ideas
Shirley Centre: Identity | Well-being | Learning
“You Are Here”: a place to be, in our communities.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/you-are-here-a-place-to-be/
Community Education & Support Services in Learning Libraries

https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/placemaking/
The building of a new Centre & redevelopment of the Shirley Community Reserve, could include the following:
1. ‘Suburban’ Library
2. Christchurch City Council Service Centre
3. Learning Spaces
4. Meeting Rooms
5. NZ/Genealogy Area
6. Internal Courtyard
7. Indoor/Outdoor Seating Options
8. Natives Garden (Dudley Creek)
9. Wellbeing Sensory Garden
10. Events/Market Space (Carpark)
11. Inclusive Accessible Playground
12. Basketball Court/Youth Area
13. Shirley Playcentre
14. StoryWalk
15. Dudley Creek Trail