At our April meeting our speakers were Emma Pavey (CCC Community Development Advisor) and Sam Holland (CCC Community Recreation Advisor)
Emma and Sam gave some background on who they were, how they arrived in their roles and some of the projects they worked on. Sam and Emma work closely together and their roles do overlap.
Emma started as a funding advisor before moving on to become a Community Recreation Advisor followed by a governance manager. All these roles linked strongly into and gave a valuable background to the role of Community Development Advisor.
Initially Emma worked in the Hoon Hay area where she initiated projects like the Hoon Hay Fiesta as a tool to bring people together and increase capacity. Emma also worked with a group of teenagers around the need for lights on the park for basketball.
This process involved working with the local people/ group, upskilling them and helping them to navigate the channels at council for the desired outcome. Civic participation helps empower people and give them a voice to make a difference for their community.
Emma explained that community led development (rather than council led) leads to a more connected community.
Sam is originally from Christchurch and studies at Lincoln Uni. She has had lots of roles including a summer assistant supporting events across the city such as Hello Hornby.
As the recreational advisor she supports local groups with events and activities such as the Celebrate Halswell Event, Childrens’ Day and possible future events. She is also involved in the Huritini Student Council encouraging local children to take part in activities they are passionate about. For example the group have been looking at signage around Westlake Park to protect the birds and wildlife. She is also involved in the Give Gear Get Great program.
Some of the things Emma and Sam are working on at present include:
Halswell Heritage Trail - maps around the community with information about the history and heritage of the area that brings stories together. The plan is to develop an app to go with this.
Long Term Plan Submissions close on the 18th April - there are drop in information sessions associated with this.
Community Service Awards
Walking Festival
Representation review which closes on the 16th May. Halswell is currently the largest ward so may see boundary changes. For example - Westmorland and Wigram are likely to be separated off and placed in adjacent wards rather than Halswell.
Development contributions. Developers currently pay a contribution towards development and infrastructure and this process is open for submissions, for example $1000 per section could be going towards local development and infrastructure
Climate change strategy - submissions close on 25th April
Mike raised the issue of the Nottingham stream levels. It would appear that the stream, like the Westlake Lakes is groundwater fed and therefore affected by the low rain levels over a long period rather than the development around the area.
Christchurch City Council has started a project to develop a Three Waters Strategy to ensure long-term sustainability of the natural resources communities rely on for their daily needs. We may be able to get them to a future Connections meeting to discuss this in more detail.
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre.
Pam and Lisa shared what is happening at the Library currently.
A new What’s On booklet has been released and is available from the library
Digital Futures courses for 65 plus are going well
Tuesday afternoons are Tech drop in help sessions and residents can book a librarian for 1 on 1 help
Groups use the library facilities for informal meetings such as:
HIPPY
HIPPY (Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters) is currently reaching out to find families with children aged 3 - 5 for their program which encourages parents to be first teachers and aid the transition to school. The program improves skills and relationships and feedback shows that children from the program are often ahead of their peers when they start school.
Halswell Community Project
Lynne asked that any notices or articles for the next newsletter be emailed through to her at halswell.newsletter@gmail.com.
Kate and Keri have been busy at the Hub. The Community Board recommended that the Council gift the building to HCP to run and the final decision will be made by council in May.
A new batch of welcome bags has been put together and are ready to be distributed. Kate will drop some off at the Library to give out.
Next Market is 23rd May
School Holidays at the Hub - Sock Puppet craft mornings 10 - 12 on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd April
In addition to the sharing shack, book shack and collecting wine bottle tops, the Hub is now a collection point for good quality blankets and bedding which will be sent over to the New Brighton blanket bank. They have also started collecting bread tags which can be recycled to fund wheelchairs in South Africa.
Halswell Hall
Judith noted that she had taken delivery of the spring bulbs from the fundraiser. They had a good response and raised $421 which will go towards installing an AED on the front porch of the hall.
The Hall is looking for several people to help with the running of the facility - funding coordinator, fundraiser, communications officer, IT person, Social media.
Lots of little jobs need doing around the place and lots of fundraising happening
The new stage will be installed at the end of July and Judith is looking into getting the Elms trimmed due to Health and Safety concerns.
Halswell Residents Association
Ross outlined the proposed changes to SH 75, Halswell Road between Dunbars road and Curletts road. More information can be found here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh75-halswell-road-improvements/
An open Night to be held on Thursday 15th April at Rowley School. 3.30 - 6pm
It was discussed that Halswell NEEDS better bus services into town. Currently it is far faster to travel by car than take the bus due to the congestion. Hopefully this proposal will ease that congestion and make safer access to Hillmorton High School with traffic lights at the end of Tankerville Road.
Halswell Lions
Peter said the Lions have had a busy month. They supported Hillmorton High school during their camp by taking the school lunches out to the students and staff on camp over the 2 week period. He noted that the lions are heavily involved with HHS.
The Lions district have lots of youth activities and the Halswell Lions are hoping to increase the number they get involved in. For example they have been working with an Oaklands School student on the Peace poster competition and would like to see more young people getting involved in these opportunities.
The last Lions meeting had the Justice of the Peace as speakers which was very well attended and received.
Next Meeting - speaker is CEO of Age Concern
Halswell Lions currently has 19 members and has club elections at the end of April.
Peter discussed the new facebook page and said Lions were pleased with how it was going. Engagement is already up which is encouraging.
Meeting Closed 1.30pm
Next Meeting: Tuesday 18th May Hillmorton High School - details to be
confirmed but meeting at the school in the new Middle School Learning Block
Upcoming Meetings 2021:
Date | Speaker | Venue |
May 18th | Hillmorton High School | Hillmorton High School |
June 15th | Zahra Hussaini - communities supporting Migrant and refugee families | Halswell Hub |
July 20th | Tracey McClelland MP | Halswell Hub |
August 17th |
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September 21st |
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October 19th |
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November 16th |
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