Poto Williams Support Letter

22 April 2021

To Whom It May Concern

My constituents have asked me to provide a support letter for a new Community Centre at 10 Shirley Road, Shirley. The Shirley and surrounding communities has suffered a lot since the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence after having the Shirley Community Centre demolished in 2012.

When the original Community Centre was up and running it housed many learning and education spaces as well as supports from NGO’s.

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 such as learning the Art’s, cooking lessons, gardening, exercise classes and various groups could be formed such as Seniors Knit and Natter or walking groups plus a cafe date where you could meet your neighbours over coffee. 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 and if you would like to discuss this further, then please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely
Hon Poto Williams
Member of Parliament for Christchurch East

https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/srcpotowilliamsletter.jpg

Shirley Road Central

The idea for this group came about while advocating for a new centre at 10 Shirley Road.

We can’t keep waiting for a new building to be built, because what could happen inside this building, is needed now:
a citizen hub for community connections, community directory, sharing resources, promoting activities/events/organisations, community education…

So instead of waiting for a ‘physical’ building to be built, we are creating an online community first, to connect communities around Shirley Road: Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Edgeware, St Albans & Mairehau.

‘Shirley Road Central’ Website:
https://www.shirleyroadcentral.nz/
Directory: https://www.shirleyroadcentral.nz/src-directory/
Activities: https://www.shirleyroadcentral.nz/src-activities/
Blog Posts: https://www.shirleyroadcentral.nz/src-blog-posts/
Support Services: https://www.shirleyroadcentral.nz/src-support-services/

‘Shirley Road Central’ Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/shirleyroadcentral/
Online Community Directory & Community Education

‘Shirley Road Central’ Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/shirleyroadcentral/
Online Noticeboard & Community Discussions

Why ‘Shirley Road Central’?
https://www.shirleyroadcentral.nz/shirley-road-central/

CCC Long Term Plan 2021 Submission

PDF: CCC Long Term Plan 2021 Submission by Joanna Gould | April 2021

Christchurch City Council Long Term Plan 2021-31
Written Submission by Joanna Gould

1. Shirley Centre | Location
1.1 Suburbs surrounding 10 Shirley Road, Innes Ward Deprivation Index, SmartView Community Facilities
1.2 Projected Population, CCC District Planning Maps 25 & 32
1.3 CCC & Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust, Kāinga Ora (Housing New Zealand)
1.4 Nearest Bus Stops/Routes to Papanui/Aranui/Parklands/New Brighton Libraries, Nearest Bus Stops/Routes to Shirley Library, Bus Routes Network Map, Nearest Bus Stops/Routes Bus Routes to 10 Shirley Road, Bus Routes to Local Community Centres
1.5 Route from Local Schools to 10 Shirley Road, Local Schools Info, Local Schools Development Plans
1.6 EnviroSchools
1.7 CCC Have Your Say Consultation: Engagement Feedback for 10 Shirley Road Report
2. Shirley Centre | Learning Libraries
3. Shirley Centre | Legacy


Christchurch City Council Long Term Plan 2021-31
Verbal Submission by Joanna Gould

https://councillive.ccc.govt.nz/video/9942
N.B. Don’t try reading from your phone, if you have problems focusing due to your eyesight. Lesson learnt: write your verbal submission down on paper, so it’s easier to read…

Our Christchurch ancestors created a place for learning, the original Shirley Primary School at 10 Shirley Road in 1915, which later was turned into the Shirley Community Centre.
This building became part of our communities identity and our own memories, until it was demolished in 2012.

Our suburbs have had a significant increase to our population due to new residential/infill housing/social housing since the CCC District Plan has been changed after the earthquakes, but no new community facilities are on budget in the proposed CCC LTP plan?

The Council collects significant Development Contributions from our suburbs “to recover the costs of providing future growth capacity for facilities such as swimming pools, sports centres, libraries”, that need investing back into our community.

Yesterday Councilor Chen asked our Community Board what impact a new centre would have on rates. The impact should be cost neutral.
The sale proceeds of the “potential Disposal of Council Owned Properties”: the four properties: 114 Hills Road, 219A Hills Road, 79 Slater Street & 81 Slater Street, could be invested in building a new centre at 10 Shirley Road.

We have collected over 1,000 signatures with our petition, which we will be presented formally in the coming weeks.
We have a letter of support from Poto Williams, our MP for Christchurch East.
The residents in our communities wants this, but it is also needed.

This location is a very visible historic landmark at the beginning of Shirley Road. Leaving it empty without a community centre, is a constant reminder of what we have lost, that we have been forgotten & have no community legacy for the future generations and clearly not what our ancestors intended for their future generations: us.

We are asking you to instruct staff to put a plan in place to deliver a new centre in this Long Term Plan term.

We need a multi cultural civic facility, not faith based, not captured by loud voices in the community, something owned and managed by our Council for all the communities connected to Shirley Road.

CCC 10 Shirley Road Engagement Feedback

“The Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board wants to hear your ideas and aspirations on the future use of 10 Shirley Road (former Shirley Community Centre site).”
https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/consultations-and-submissions/haveyoursay/show/334
Open for feedback: 18th September 2020 – 12th October 2020

“We have asked and talked to you about this before, and we acknowledge the work that has been done. We are asking again because we want to get this right, and we recognise the community landscape has changed considerably, especially over the last 2-3 years. Due to Council’s financial situation it is not expected in the short term that funding will be available, however the Board would like to see the site being used by the community. We want to find new ways of doing things that are innovative and look at alternative funding options and possible partnerships…Before the earthquakes there was a well-established community centre at 10 Shirley Road. Sadly, due to damage in the 2010/11 earthquakes the centre was demolished in 2012. There have already been several community conversations with feedback collated around a replacement facility. Over the last 10 years the Richmond and Shirley community has developed, with several locally managed community facilities emerging and some still emerging. We want to work alongside the community as we move into future planning for the good of the wider community.”

Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board Agenda, 20 November 2020
8. Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board Area Report – October 2020
Attachments: B – Engagement feedback for 10 Shirley Road site
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2020/11/PICB_20201120_AGN_4525_AT.PDF, Page 23 – 28
Page 29 – 58: Written Submissions from residents/groups
Page 59 – 60: Richmond Residents and Business Association/We are Richmond
Page 61 – 63: Convenor, NZ Society of Genealogists – Canterbury Branch
Page 64 – 70: NZSG Canterbury Branch 50th Anniversary February 2018
Page 71 – 80: Joanna Gould, Shirley Centre 10 Shirley Road (my submission)
Page 81: Joanna Byrne, Amazing Mairehau
Page 82: Frida Inta
Page 83 – 85: Sue Lang, Shirley Recreational Walkers

“2.2 At the close of engagement we received 58 submissions, including from the following groups:
2.2.1 Amazing Mairehau
2.2.2 Delta Community Support Trust
2.2.3 NZ Society of Genealogists
2.2.4 Richmond Residents and Business Association
2.2.5 Shirley Recreational Walkers”

“To assist the Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community in hearing ideas and aspirations from the community regarding the future use of 10 Shirley Road a questionnaire was delivered to approximately 800 properties within the vicinity of the site.”

“We received 29 submissions [out of 58 submissions] supporting the replacement of the Community Centre at this location. A number of these submissions also asked that a library be included in the building.”


Feedback Suggestions:

1. Community Gardens/Food Forest?
We already have two well established local community gardens:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/macfarlaneparkcommunitygarden/ (by Jebson Street, public toilets & water available)
https://www.facebook.com/RichmondCommunityGardenAvebury/ (by Avebury House, public toilets & water available)
A food forest needs to be connected to community gardens/schools. Trees need to come with care instructions & promote when fruit is ready to eat. Who will be responsible to water/feed/prune/treat against diseases/harvest the fruit?
Christchurch City Council SmartView: Fruit Trees
https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz/map/layers/trees#/@172.65369,-43.50847,16

2. Permanent Pump Track?
Shirley Primary School Facebook Page, Landscaping Update Stage 2 (across the road from the 10 Shirley Road site)
“There will be an obstacle course and an asphalt track around the outside of the [school] field for scootering. There will also be tunnels and two basket swings.”
https://www.facebook.com/157397280992606/posts/3792997170765914

3. Upgrade Playground, New Picnic Tables/Seating/Water Fountain/Public Toilets?
These suggestions can all be incorporated into a new landscape design, to complement a new centre being built at 10 Shirley Road.

CCC 10 Shirley Road Consultation Feedback

PDF: CCC 10 Shirley Road Consultation by Joanna Gould | October 2020

“The Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board wants to hear your ideas and aspirations on the future use of 10 Shirley Road (former Shirley Community Centre site).”
https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/consultations-and-submissions/haveyoursay/show/334
Open for feedback: 18th September 2020 – 12th October 2020

Do you currently use 10 Shirley Road?
How would you like to use 10 Shirley Road?
How can we make the most of the things already at 10 Shirley Road?

Q. How would you like to use 10 Shirley Road?
A. Build a new Shirley Centre. Why?

Civic managed facility, citizen hub, new purpose built/bigger Shirley Library with Learning/Meeting Spaces, located within the Innes Ward, which currently has no suburban Christchurch City Library. At 30 June 2018, there were an estimated 24,700 people living in Innes ward. This was 6.4% of Christchurch City’s population. (https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/statistics-and-facts/community-profiles/papanui-innes/innes-ward)

‘Residential feel’ to fit into the neighbourhood & incorporate some heritage design as this location is next to the Dudley Character Area. (https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Consents-and-Licences/resource-consents/Forms/Character-Areas/Dudley-Design-Guide-2019.pdf)

Multifunctional space that can cater for a wide range of “cultural, educational and recreational activities” that bring people from the surrounding communities: Shirley, Mairehau, St Albans, Edgeware & Richmond, together.

Inclusive: day & night opening hours, available 6 or 7 days, adjustable learning/meeting spaces, that can be booked & utilized by everyone, residents can just be in the space (home away from home, communities living room) without having to attend an activity/event.

Accessible: Onsite & street parking, location has bus stops on Shirley Road, multiple bus routes arriving/leaving at regular intervals.

Alternative Waipapa/Papanui Innes Community Board meetings location, so Innes ward residents can have easier access to participate. (https://www.ccc.govt.nz/the-council/how-the-council-works/elected-members/community-boards/papanui-innes/)

Civic Education: How does the Council work? What are the different Units for? How does the Community Board work? What do the different roles in Council/Community Board do? How do I engage with Council/Community Board? (https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/how-the-council-works)

CCC “Have Your Say” Consultation info/submission help sessions. (https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/consultations-and-submissions/haveyoursay/)

Civic Defence: Emergency Location, community & home education sessions, emergency help/eco features: solar panels & rainwater harvesting system. (https://ccc.govt.nz/services/civil-defence/about-civil-defence-emergency-management)

Justice of the Peace (JP) Clinic: Witness signatures and documents, certify document copies, hear oaths, declarations, affidavits or affirmations as well as sign citizenship, sponsorship or rates rebates applications. (https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/justice-of-the-peace-jps/)

Citizens Advice Bureau: Help people to know and understand their rights and obligations and how to use this information to get the best outcomes. Satellite clinic? Weekly sessions? (https://www.cab.org.nz/location/cab-christchurch-city)

Centre “Shielded Site”: Tool for victims of abuse to ask for help, without fear of it showing up in their browser’s history or an abusive partner ever seeing it. Send a confidential message through our “Shielded Site” feature. (https://shielded.co.nz/)

NGOs Connect: Connecting residents with local Community Trusts/Support Services/Community Support Workers.

CINCH Connect: Online community directory of clubs, community organisations and continuing education course providers. Outreach to the residents in our communities to introduce themselves. (https://www.cinch.org.nz/)

Volunteering Canterbury: Whether you are looking to volunteer individually or in a group, in a long-term position or a one-off project, events & training. (http://volcan.org.nz/)

TimeBank: database of local skills that residents can use to find help, a way of trading skills in a community. (https://www.lyttelton.net.nz/timebank)

Sustainable “Foodscaping”: In Geneva, Switzerland where communities have worked together, neighbours consult and plan what each will grow so they can share and trade food. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foodscaping)

Appetite for Life: Canterbury based 6 week weight management and healthy lifestyle programme. (https://www.appetiteforlife.org.nz/)

Green Prescription: Funded by the Ministry of Health & managed by Sport Canterbury that supports people to lead active healthy lives. (https://www.activecanterbury.org.nz/health-professionals/green-prescription.aspx)

Spin Poi: Improving health and wellbeing through spinning poi. We support individuals and organizations across the globe with our evidence-based programs, specializing in improving quality of life for seniors. (https://www.spinpoi.com/)

Activities for Older Adults: location for Free Sunday Walks, Walk ‘n’ Talk & Leisure Clubs. (https://ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/activities-for-older-adults)

GenConnect: Technology-oriented intergenerational programmes are a way to breach the generation gap by providing an opportunity for interaction. (https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/genconnect/)

GrandFriends: to match up grandparent-less families with older people, building across generations. (https://www.grandfriends.nz/)

Human Library: The Human Library® is a bookstore of human beings, to better our understanding of diversity in order to help create more inclusive and cohesive communities across cultural, religious, social and ethnic differences. (https://humanlibrary.org/)

Learning English as a Second Language: connecting families from our local schools (Mairehau High School, Shirley Intermediate School, St Albans School, St Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Mairehau Primary School, Shirley Primary School, Banks Avenue School) in the community. (https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Resources/education/ESOL/)

Ministry of Awesome “Coffee & Jam” Outreach: Starting point for entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators in Christchurch. Delivering support, guidance, capability training, and networks that entrepreneurs need to succeed. (https://ministryofawesome.com/events/#coffee-and-jam)

Limitless: Equipping for lives of passion & purpose programme, empower every young person to spend time doing work they are passionate about. (https://www.limitless.org.nz/)

Careers NZ: Plan your career, job profiles, career ideas, cv writing, job hunting, study and training, with help from WINZ Shirley office? (https://www.careers.govt.nz/)

Drive: Guiding your teen through the learning to drive journey, tools and tips to get your teen confident in the driver’s seat. (https://parents.drive.govt.nz/)

Cycle Safe in the Community: Cycle maintenance and helmet fitting, Basic cycling skills, Road rules, On road cycling, Christchurch cycling groups? (https://ccc.govt.nz/transport/getting-to-school/resources-for-schools/cyclesafe/)

KiwiAble: Getting more people with a disability involved in sport, recreation and leisure by breaking down barriers to participation. (https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/inclusive-christchurch/kiwiable/)

Wellbeing Community Education: What is Wellbeing? Wellness Warrant of Fitness, Wellbeing Methods: Yoga, Stress Management, Walking, Posture, Goal Setting, Meal Planning. (https://ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/rec-and-sport-centres/health-wellbeing/wellbeing/)

Mental Health Advocacy and Peer Support (MHAPS): Assist people who experience mental distress, mental illness and/or substance addiction through their choice of services towards recovery. (https://mhaps.org.nz/)

Reading in Mind: Provides selected books and other resources (e-books, DVDs and CDs) on a wide range of mental health and wellbeing topics. (https://www.pegasus.health.nz/your-health/useful-links-resources/reading-in-mind/)

StoryWalk: Combines family fun, exercise, and literacy into one great community activity. Installed around the Shirley Community Reserve & along the Dudley Creek Trail? (https://letsmovelibraries.org/storywalk/)

Pre-school Activities: Babytimes, Storytimes, Sensory Storytimes, Preschool Outreach, Learning Parties. (https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/preschoolers-events/)

Triple P Positive Parenting Programme: Focuses on positive parenting practices and addresses childhood behaviour problems. (https://www.earlystart.co.nz/programmes/triple-p-positive-parenting/)

Shirley Playcentre: Located in the Shirley Community Reserve. Connect new children/families to the area, as the community has become increasingly transient and culturally diverse. Parent cooperative with parents encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the playcentre’s programme and management. (https://www.playcentre.org.nz/centre/shirley/)

Learning Through Action: Conservation of water, ecosystems, sustainability of resources, organic waste cycle, biodiversity, impacts of pests, geology, outdoor survival, waste management and native trees and plants. (https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/learning-resources/learning-through-action)

Sustainable Christchurch: Sustainable Living for Future Living Skills, Energy Efficient, Grow Your Own Food, Conserve Water, Reduce Your Rubbish, Smarter Homes, Sustainable Transport, Sustainable Communities. (https://ccc.govt.nz/environment/sustainability/sustainable-christchurch/)

DogSmart: DogSmart in the Community, DogSafe Workplace Training, Reading to Dogs. (https://ccc.govt.nz/services/dogs-and-animals/dogsmart-education-programme/)

After School Activities: 3D Printing, Lego Mindstorms, Lego Stop-Motion, Studio Time, Minecraft Club, STEAM Lab. Science Alive? (https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/after-school-clubs-and-programmes/)

Code Club: Code Club Aotearoa: A nationwide network of free volunteer-led coding clubs for kiwi kids. Code Club for Adults?. (https://codeclub.nz/)

KidsFest Event Provider: Location for KidsFest activities & events, during the winter school holidays. (https://www.kidsfest.co.nz/)

Resident Initiated Groups: Opportunity for residents to create groups based on interests with like minded people. Location for online Facebook group meetups in person.

https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/imagine/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-community-centre-ideas/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/this-is-what-a-librarian-looks-like/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-q-and-a/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/where-is-our-community-centre-petition/

“The public library is the one place, potentially the only civic place, where people are welcome to come no matter their background, their politics, their beliefs. People who are disenfranchised, have mobility issues, are socially isolated, the very old and the very young, it can be the only comfortable place to be – and their ideas are welcome.”
“We are becoming a bastion of wellbeing and welcome for people,” says Kat Cuttriss​, Hutt City Libraries manager and chair of Public Libraries of New Zealand.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/books/113926856/how-new-zealand-libraries-are-adapting-to-the-21st-century

“Urban planners seeking to stabilize neighborhoods are focusing on the critical role that “third places” can play in strengthening our sense of community. Third places have a number of important community-building attributes. Depending on their location, social classes and backgrounds can be “leveled-out” in ways that are unfortunately rare these days, with people feeling they are treated as social equals. Informal conversation is the main activity and most important linking function. One commentator refers to third places as the “living room” of society.
Many city planning efforts to reinvigorate metropolitan neighborhoods now include specific steps to create third places, especially public spaces, to try and break down social siloes.”
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2016/09/14/third-places-as-community-builders/

“Libraries are not the kinds of institutions that most social scientists, policymakers, and community leaders usually bring up when they discuss social capital and how to build it. But they offer something for everyone, regardless of whether they’re a citizen, a permanent resident, or even a convicted felon – and all of it for free. Doing research in New York City, I learned that libraries and their social infrastructure are essential not only for a neighborhood’s vitality but also for buffering all kinds of personal problems – including isolation and loneliness…Social infrastructure provides the setting and context for social participation, and the library is among the most critical forms of social infrastructure that we have. It’s also one of the most undervalued…Our communities are full of children whose future, will be formed in the places where they go to learn about themselves and the world they’ll inherit. They deserve palaces. Whether they get them is up to us.”
Palaces for the People: How To Build a More Equal and United Society by Eric Klinenberg
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/sep/24/palaces-for-the-people-at-the-library-everyone-is-welcome