News – Page 2 – 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”.

Shirley Community Reserve Feedback

Christchurch City Council
Waipapa Papanui Innes Central Community Board
Shirley Community Reserve Consultation
https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/SCR
Open for feedback from 17 July to 14 August 2023

“Earlier this year, the Waipapa Papanui Innes Central Community Board made the Shirley Community Reserve a key priority in their community board plan. Together, we want to develop a meaningful, dynamic and fun space for everyone, so that the reserve becomes a destination of choice for the community – a safe space, a place that enhances wellbeing, and provides a place for social connection.

The options that we’ve developed take into consideration feedback received by the Shirley community in 2020, as well as what we’ve seen works well around Ōtautahi Christchurch.
– Option 1. Leaving the space as it is.
– Option 2. A recreation space with a full basketball court, renewed playground, planting, a picnic and BBQ area, a community garden and a walkway.
– Option 3. Creating a community hub that’s open to partnerships with local organisations.”

My ‘Shirley Community Reserve Consultation’ feedback:
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ShirleyCommunityReserveConsultation2023JoannaGould.pdf

Rank the options that best capture your ideal community reserve:
1. A community hub
2. A recreation and play space
3. Keep the space as it is

Based on your selection, tell us what’s important to you, for us to consider:
Option 1. Leaving the space as it is.
No. Why?
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’.”
Does not restore the service available pre-earthquake on what was a popular, heavily used site.
Unlikely to be acceptable to the Community.
9. Shirley Community Facility Rebuild – 10 Shirley Road (2015)
5. Background (Page 19) & 9.9 Legal Implications (Page 27)
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2015/08/SPCB_19082015_AGN.PDF

Option 2. A recreation space with a full basketball court, renewed playground, planting, a picnic and BBQ area, a community garden and a walkway.
No. Why?
Most of these suggested ‘additions’/activities already exist at the Shirley Community Reserve, or in nearby suburbs.

– Residents have plenty of opportunities to connect with & utilise the existing local green spaces, through Christchurch City Council parks/walking trails/fruit trees, school grounds, community gardens, birdsong trails, Dudley Creek/Esplanade Reserve & the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/local-green-spaces/

– Full Basketball Court: there is already a half basketball court on site.
1. Shirley Community Reserve, Richmond (Half Court)
https://goo.gl/maps/912h2UUc99K2dRQG6
2. Avon Hub, Richmond (Full Indoor Court)
https://goo.gl/maps/unZcBWFDRTsBNUFE9
3. MacFarlane Park, Shirley (Full Outdoor Court)
https://goo.gl/maps/SF5CGR7i6fhZiBc47

– Community Garden: there are already well established local community gardens in the surrounding suburbs.
1. MacFarlane Park Community Garden, Shirley
https://shirleycommunitytrust.org.nz/activity/community-garden/
2. Dallington Community Garden
http://www.ccga.org.nz/garden-directory/dallington-community-garden/
3. Delta Community Garden, Richmond
http://www.ccga.org.nz/garden-directory/delta-community-support-trust/
4. Richmond Community Garden
http://www.ccga.org.nz/garden-directory/richmond/
5. Packe Street Park and Community Garden, Edgeware
http://www.ccga.org.nz/garden-directory/packe-street/
6. St Albans Community Garden
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sustainable.stalbans.christchurch/

– Walkway: there is already a CCC Walking Trail located at the back of the Shirley Community Reserve, that starts in the Shirley Shopping Centre, located at the corner of Hills & Shirley Road.
https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz/map/layers/walkingtracks#/@172.65369,-43.50847,15

Option 3. Creating a community hub that’s open to partnerships with local organisations.
Yes. Why?
– Community Hub Support
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/community-hub-support/
What is in a community hub?
“A community hub is a building or space that is: open and accessible to the local community & providing services that the local community wants and needs.”
1. ‘Shirley Road Central’ Group & ‘Where is our Community Centre?’ Petition
2. Letters of Support from Local Christchurch MPs
3. Richmond Residents & Business Association/We are Richmond
4. Shirley Village Project
5. Christchurch City Council Citizen Hub Strategy
6. Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study
7. Local Government New Zealand

– Christchurch City Council Citizen Hub Strategy
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-citizen-hub-strategy/
– Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-community-facility-feasibility-study/
– Christchurch City Council Community Facilities Network Plan
– Third Place | https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/third-place/
– Bumping Spaces | https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/bumping-spaces/
– Placemaking | https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/placemaking/
– Shirley Centre Concept | https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-overview/

Community Hub Support

What is in a community hub?
“A community hub is a building or space that is: open and accessible to the local community & providing services that the local community wants and needs.”
https://localtrust.org.uk/news-and-stories/blog/community-hubs-the-importance-of-developing-a-sustainable-business-model/

What is the role of a community hub?
“Community hubs are opportunities to create lively spaces and deliver often missing critical social infrastructure…When developed correctly, they can serve as a place to bring people and ideas together under one roof…The reach of these community hubs extends beyond the structural walls of the buildings; they can reconnect people with their neighborhoods by creating spaces that integrate social and functional needs.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/02/02/developing-community-hubs-to-drive-purpose-and-profit/

‘Shirley Road Central’ Group & ‘Where is our Community Centre?’ Petition
– 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/
– “Our communities lost our well used and well loved community centre at 10 Shirley Rd, following the February 2011 earthquake. We need a new community facility to serve the wider communities of North Richmond, Shirley, Mairehau, Edgeware and St Albans east of Cranford Street. We the undersigned, request that Christchurch City Council work with us to rebuild our beloved community centre as soon as possible.”
‘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/
– “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. Private venues are too expensive.
https://www.shirleyroadcentral.nz/the-future-for-shirley-road-central/
– ‘Pop up’ activities to ‘activate’ the 10 Shirley Road site have had little success. 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.
– “Today at the Christchurch City Council Long Term Plan submissions hearing, Shirley Road Central Incorporated, presented their verbal submission advocating for a new civic centre to be built on 10 Shirley Road.
The ‘Where is Our Community Centre?’ petition was presented to Council, with over 1,200 signatures.
Letters of Support from Poto Williams, MP for Christchurch East & Duncan Webb Labour MP for Christchurch Central.”
‘Shirley Road Central’ group, 12th May 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhAT6iATaE8

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/

Richmond Residents & Business Association/We are Richmond
– “The current library is situated inside the Burwood/Pegasus ward outside of Innes and Central although it is seen as a Shirley Richmond Amenity.
A large sector of our community wants this relocated to 10 Shirley Road as a true public non partisan community facility we do not want nor need another community organisation or church based facility.
We need a place that ALL people feel free to come to and be part of and a library/service centre is the best example of this.
Our community needs the type of facility that Halswell and Sumner do more than they do, but yet we are left with a building shoved in the back of a mall requiring a full time security guard, not delivering the services other libraries do because they do not have the space.
We as a community are fully prepared to take what money there currently is and fund raise for more money to situ a modern, exciting, community focused facility at 10 Shirley Road to replace the number of amenities that we have been stripped of.
A citizen lead hub facility incorporating the library and service centre would support/inform/direct people out into the activities in the community and current community lead facilities (Avebury, Richmond Community Garden, Delta, Shirley Trust, etc etc).
We need to get people out of their houses and engaging with others in the community.”
Hayley Guglietta (Email from Hayley to Ali Jones, former Papanui-Innes Community Board Chairperson, 4th April 2019)
– “There is much debate about the need for a Community Centre as we knew it pre-earthquake. Some of the services provided at the old centre have been absorbed by other agencies and do not need replicating at a new amenity. There have been reviews and reports presented to Council discussing the amenities we have and those we need. Although these have not been released to the general public as yet, one would assume that these include social, recreation, pastoral care elements and take into account the composition of the population.
There is a groundswell of support for a (new) library to provide an amenity that would serve the Richmond/Shirley communities. Libraries have changed markedly in the last decade and now provide opportunities for interaction amongst age groups, ethnic groups, interest groups, etc through the way they are designed and staffed. While they still address their original core function of providing information and leisure reading opportunities, modern technological developments have had a major impact on how libraries achieve that core function.
Perhaps it is time for the Richmond Community to come together and discuss the needs and determine some action so that, eventually, we get an amenity at 10 Shirley Road which recognizes the past but focuses on our needs in the future.”
David Duffy (current Chairperson), 22nd May 2019
https://wearerichmond.co.nz/rrba/what-to-do-with-10-shirley-road/

Shirley Village Project
– Shirley Village Project Feasibility Report and Implementation Plan
5th February 2018, Steve Jones-Poole, Shirley Community Trust
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Shirley-Village-Project-Feasibility-Report.pdf
– Youth Audit 10 Shirley Road
“10 Shirley Road performed averagely in the Youth Friendly Spaces Audit, scoring a total of 42% and received a poor Net Promoter Score of -37.5.”
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/youth-audit-10-shirley-road/
– Youth Audit Shirley Library
“The Shirley Library performed below average, in the Youth Friendly Spaces Audit, scoring a total of 64.5% and producing a Net Promoter Score of -50.”
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/youth-audit-shirley-library/
– Youth Audit MacFarlane Park
“The MacFarlane Park Basketball Court performed averagely in the Youth Friendly Spaces Audit, scoring a total of 59.5% and producing a Net Promoter Score of 0.”
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/youth-audit-macfarlane-park/
– “Many of the issues identified in the Youth Audits for Shirley Library & 10 Shirley Road, could be addressed by creating a new central ‘Community Hub’ at the Shirley Community Reserve, that would complement the existing community facilities in MacFarlane Park & surrounding suburbs.
More youth living in the suburbs surrounding Shirley Road: Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Edgeware, St Albans & Mairehau, could benefit from the positive aspects of the 10 Shirley Road site highlighted in the Youth Audit above.”
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-youth-audits/
– Community Led Development Plan for Shirley
“The needs and wishes of Shirley residents have been recorded in various surveys and events over many years. We’ve looked back as far as 2000 at existing reports, surveyed residents in 2018 and 2021, and collected feedback at various community events in 2022 and 2023.”
https://www.shirleyvillage.org/community-plan

CCC Citizen Hub Strategy
– “We currently operate a very “bricks and mortar” service arrangement, where different Council services have developed stand-alone service locations and approaches (often all in the same neighbourhood).
– The review has found that this siloed legacy service model is no longer fit for purpose. Customers increasingly expect joined up services, easy one-stop transactions, and channel choice in how they engage with us.
– We are proposing a shift to integrated service delivery arrangements whereby Council physical services are grouped together in convenient locations for citizens to access – a Citizen Hub with no wrong doors.
– A set of design principles have been developed to guide improvement opportunities and the future state model. An implementation approach whereby council libraries will form the base for integrated, multi-discipline citizen hubs is proposed.”
– Libraries: Shirley (Burwood Ward, 5 Council libraries: Parklands, New Brighton, Aranui, Shirley, Linwood in the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board area)
Service Desks: Shirley (Burwood Ward, 2 Council service centres: Shirley, Linwood in the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board area)
Governance Services: Shirley (Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board)
(Location map for Christchurch City Council Libraries, Service Desks and Recreation and Sports Centres, Page 19)
– There are 3 Christchurch City Council services (Library, Service Centre & Governance) co located in the Shirley Library and Service Centre building, located in The Palms carpark.
But there is no suburban sized Library or Service Centre in the entire Innes Ward.
(Location map for Christchurch City Council Libraries, Service Desks and Recreation and Sports Centres, Page 19)
– The Shirley Community Centre, has not been ‘replaced’, not even ‘like for like’.
In 2015 when this Strategy was written, why wasn’t a new integrated service delivery Citizen Hub option considered, at 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve, site of the former Shirley Community Centre?
21: Shirley Community Centre, Replace. Section 38 (claim insured value).
26: Shirley Library, Cosmetic repairs.
Christchurch City Council Facilities Rebuild Plan – Tranche 1
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2022/06/SACRC_20220601_MAT_7539.PDF#PAGE=25
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-citizen-hub-strategy/

Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study
“As a result of the 2011 earthquakes there was a community groundswell to reinstate the destroyed Shirley Community Centre.
The Community Facility at 10 Shirley Road was a significant provider of a range of community activity and had been for a long time.
The way it did this and the range of groups based there was a credit to community development and initiative in the area.
On this basis, there was a logic in considering a replacement and updated facility.”
“- Table 4. Deprivation by Area Units (6 and above): Here we see Richmond South, Edgeware and Shirley have higher levels of deprivation (6 and above) as a percentage of total population, much higher than the Christchurch Average.
– Location of Provision: There is no direct provision of Council facilities within the defined facility catchment area (Shirley, Richmond, Edgeware and Mairehau) and much of what is provided is Church based, with the area being home to a number of strong Church based Trusts. There does appear to be a gap in the area identified on the boundary of Shirley and Richmond.
– 6.4.1 Asset data Across Council Owned Community Facilities: This suggests current provision is lower than the city-wide average in terms of community facilities.
– 6.4.2 Community Provision (Non-Council): There seems a gap (or at least less provision) of non-Church community space across the Community Board, especially as we see the current range of facilities available is split between ‘Community’ and ‘Church-based’ Trusts.
– 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.
– 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.
– 9. Discussion, Fit with Christchurch City Council Network Plan: Providing hubs and focal points are important network plan outcomes.
– 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. The location of 10 Shirley Road is perfect for this as there is no other Trust close by and yet the location is important to Shirley, Edgeware, Mairehau and Richmond.
– 10. Options: An important consideration in this options analysis is how to achieve a sustainable outcome, not just for the community but for Council. One other factor is how to ensure any provision aligns with what is currently and likely to happen in the foreseeable future.
– Table 9. Governance options toward increased activation of 10 Shirley Road: 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.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-community-facility-feasibility-study/

Local Government New Zealand
“How much is your library worth to your community?
We’re delighted to share with you new research we’ve undertaken with FrankAdvice on the value of public libraries. The report explores both the role of libraries as community hubs, their value as a vehicle for public service delivery, and their contribution to community wellbeing.
Public libraries are vibrant community hubs that enhance community wellbeing and social cohesion.
They’re also important places where local government and central government can deliver key local services – ones specific to their communities needs and wants.
The findings paint a clear picture that councils need more support to deliver the services that central government increasingly relies on public libraries to provide. The report also showcases great examples of services libraries across the motu provide to enhance community wellbeing.
We’ll encourage councils to consider how they can enable and resource public libraries to evolve their services and better enhance community wellbeing.
And we’ll use this research to engage with the Government on ways it can better support public libraries to deliver value to communities.”
https://www.lgnz.co.nz/news-and-media/2023-media-releases/research-reveals-libraries-are-huge-contributors-to-community-wellbeing/
Summary: https://www.lgnz.co.nz/assets/PDFs/Value-of-public-libraries-executive-summary.pdf
Research Paper: https://www.lgnz.co.nz/assets/FFLG/Frank-Advice-Libraries-as-a-vehicle-for-service-delivery.pdf?vid=5

Historic Landmark

Q. What is a ‘Historic Landmark’?
A. “Historic Landmark means any improvement, building or structure of particular historic or architectural significance to the Town relating to its heritage, cultural, social, economic or political history, or which exemplifies historic personages or important events in local, state or national history identified in the municipality’s comprehensive plan, which have been listed or are eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.”
“Historic Landmark means an historic resource of historical, architectural, archaeological, or cultural importance or value which the City Council determines shall be protected, enhanced and preserved in the interest of the culture, prosperity, education and welfare of the people and which is so designated.”
https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/historic-landmark

Q. What is ‘Historic Heritage?’
A. “Historic heritage is those natural and physical resources that contribute to an understanding and appreciation of New Zealand’s history and cultures.
It includes historic sites, structures, places and areas, archaeological sites, site of significance to Māori, including wāhi tapu, and surroundings associated with the natural and physical resources.
Historic heritage has three key elements: a geographical place (e.g. a structure, house, site or area), associated heritage values and heritage significance, and associated connections with a person, group or community.”
https://www.environmentguide.org.nz/issues/heritage/what-is-historic-heritage/

1. Founding of Shirley
– “Subdivision started in the early 20th century, at which time the area was known as North Richmond. The name then changed to Windsor, until it was discussed at a meeting at the Windsor Wesleyan School that land agents indicated land sold better if the locality was called Shirley instead of Windsor.
The suburb spreads across wholly flat land which before the arrival of the first European colonists in the 1850s consisted of streams running into marshland between weathered and grassy sand dunes. Sheep and dairy cattle began to be grazed on the land within a few years of the colonists’ arrival, the area being part of the Sandhills station.
Land began to be bought by families of small farmers from 1863 onwards, and during the rest of the 19th century the future suburb was a district of market gardens, dairy farms and small grazing farms divided by hedgerows. A farmhouse and stables could be found along the roads every few hundred metres.
As more and more land was drained it was often highly productive. One large estate was established by the very wealthy Rhodes family who chose not to live on the land but instead resided in a very large mansion in Merivale. Their estate in the district was run by managers and overseers.
The district’s settlers were mostly English and Scottish, but some Irish families also settled, as well as – in the 1870s – a significant group of Poles from eastern Germany. A small village of shops and one or two churches had begun to grow up by that time along what would later become known as Shirley Road.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley,_New_Zealand
– “When our First Four Ships arrived in Lyttelton late 1850, the area that was to become known as Shirley attracted the settlers immediately.
By 1863, after most of the marsh had been drained, the area experienced a boom of smaller dairy/grazing farms and market gardens opening.
One of the biggest land owners were the Rhodes family who leased their land out. They chose to live in their nearby home of Elmwood, now the site of Heaton Normal Int. School (named after Sir Heaton Rhodes) on Heaton Road.
At that time, the Rhodes Estate stretched across the suburbs of Marshlands (Rhodes Swamp), Mairehau (named after Rose Mariehau Rhodes), Shirley and Elmwood.
It is unclear where John and Susannah Buxton – saddlers – actually lived but their son Joseph (pictured) owned land that sat on what is now known as Quinn Street.
On Susannah’s death bed, she asked her son to gift his land to the community so a church could be built. Her wish was granted.
On the 10th April 1868, the Shirley Methodist Church opened its doors.
The community had decided to honor Susannah by naming the church after her in using her maiden name of Shirley. Slowly the name spread and influenced the rest of the community.”
https://www.peelingbackhistory.co.nz/shirley-susannah-buxton-1807-1867/
– “Shirley. Named after Susannah Buxton, née Shirley, (1806?-1867). Mrs Buxton was the wife of John Buxton (1805?-1887), a saddler, and mother of Joseph Shirley Buxton (1833-1898), a gentleman of Merivale. Her son owned a large area of land on the corner of Quinn’s Road and St Albans Road.”
https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/PlaceNames/ChristchurchPlaceNames-N-Z.pdf, Page 70
– “Mr. Joseph Shirley Buxton, who was long a personality in Christchurch, and an old Colonist of over forty years’ standing, was born at Wootton, Bedfordshire, England, in 1833, served his apprenticeship as a saddler with his father, and came to Lyttelton in 1858 by the ship “Westminster.”
https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d57-d11.html
– “Shirley. Mr I. F. Buxton tells me that Shirley was named after his later father, Joseph Shirley Buxton, and was applied to a large area of land owned by him.
The area in question has recently been subdivided, but the name is now applied to a much larger district.
Such an explanation is most valuable, as the personal side of the matter would soon be forgotten. Shirley in this case may be a family name, or a reminiscence of a once-famous novel, or a place name in England – it is hard to say which.”
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19240112.2.57
– “Shirley Road. Named because it runs through Shirley which, in turn, is named after Susannah Buxton, née Shirley, (1806?-1867). Shirley Road is first mentioned in the Star in 1873.”
https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/heritage/placenames/christchurchstreetnames-s.pdf, Page 55
– Originally Shirley Road started at Westminster Street (now Aylesford Street), before crossing over Hills Road to Marshland Road.
https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Maps/174743.asp

2. Social Housing Heritage
– “In 1905 the government introduced the Workers Dwelling Act which would allow for the purchasing of land and the construction of affordable homes for workers at what was to be modest rents.
34 designs were selected from 130 submitted by architects throughout New Zealand. Some of these homes were built in poorly selected locations away from public transport and at rents beyond the reach of many.”
“Richard Seddon, concerned at the number of homeless and substandard conditions, decided that the State should play a larger part in housing. Seddon came from England and had seen for himself good quality council housing available to low income families.
These homes could be leased with the right of renewal or could be purchased outright with the proviso that upon the death of the owner, ownership would return to the State. Seddon said it would give relief from profit hungry landlords…”
“When this early experiment was finished, over 640 homes had been built throughout the country.
In Christchurch, some of these homes were designed by some prominent local architects including Hurst Segar, Cecil Wood, Barlow and England.
Three pockets of these homes were built in Christchurch in 1918 to 1920, one being in Chancellor Street. This small group of homes run between Julius Terrace and Shirley Road.”
“Of the three pockets of these homes built in Christchurch, little remains of the other two, so Chancellor Street is unique in the fact that they are all still there and are in good hands. It would be interesting to know how many of these original 640 homes still exist throughout the country.”
‘Chancellor Street Today’ by Alan Williamson, Richmond Community News, February 2009
https://www.aveburyhouse.co.nz/uploads/4/7/2/0/47203855/rcn-066-february-2009.pdf
– “Richard John Seddon (22 June 1845 – 10 June 1906) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 15th premier (prime minister) of New Zealand from 1893 until his death. In office for thirteen years, he is to date New Zealand’s longest-serving head of government.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Seddon
– “Dudley is identified in the Christchurch District Plan as a Character Area. It has qualities that make it distinctive and appealing resulting in an attractive and memorable area. The distinctiveness is created through the combination of the character of houses and their surroundings.”
“Dudley has city-wide significance as an intact residential neighbourhood, strong landscape features, consistent house sizes and styles.”
“The original subdivision was comprehensively developed as a result of the construction of the St Albans Park and North Beach tram routes. Many of the original houses date from the early 20th century and are single-storey wooden villas and bungalows.”
“While there was damage to the area as a result of the Canterbury Earthquakes, the original subdivision of Dudley is relatively intact. The majority of sections across the area have not been further subdivided, retaining large sections with mature trees that sets up a regular spacing and pattern of houses, fencing and front gardens along the street.”
“Dudley Creek is a defining feature and important open space for this Character Area. Extensive recent work along the banks of the waterways in Dudley have opened up spaces that contribute to the amenity and value of the area for the community and residents. A feature of Dudley is how existing sections engage with the waterways. Houses face Dudley Creek and tributaries, vegetation is low but extensive and bridges, both vehicle and pedestrian, span the creek creating a strong visual and physical connection.”
https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Consents-and-Licences/resource-consents/Forms/Character-Areas/Dudley-Design-Guide-2019.pdf
– “Interestingly this Dudley Character Area in Richmond, is in part thanks to Richard Seddon & “prominent local architects”: Hurst Segar, Cecil Wood, Barlow and England creating architectural designed social housing.
This Character Area is an important part of Richmond’s identity/heritage & should be protected, especially after so many buildings were lost after the earthquakes.”
http://riseuprichmond.nz/dudley-character-area/
Chancellor Street Heritage Houses
(overlooking Shirley Community Reserve)
“This former Workers’ Dwelling Act dwelling has historical and social significance as one of seven houses built on the east side of Chancellor Street in 1914 as part of the Chancellor Street Settlement under the Workers’ Dwellings Act 1905. The act and its successors established the first programme of public housing provision in New Zealand by central government.”
“New Zealand Premier ‘King’ Dick Seddon’s Liberal Government (1893-1906) wanted architectural variety, rather than uniformity, in the design of the workers’ dwellings. Local architects submitted entries to design competitions held throughout New Zealand and the dwellings were built by local contractors.”
“The Chancellor Street houses also form part of New Zealand’s heritage of state housing generally. The setting is the original 1914 rectangular land parcel with a small garden between the house and the roadway and a larger open space at the rear.”
– 72 Chancellor Street: https://goo.gl/maps/MQ1PE5QEhPyGs7o3A
https://districtplan.ccc.govt.nz/Images/DistrictPlanImages/Statement%20of%20Significance/Christchurch/HID%20112.pdf
– 70 Chancellor Street: https://goo.gl/maps/vQrotJHgSm2eczf49
https://districtplan.ccc.govt.nz/Images/DistrictPlanImages/Statement%20of%20Significance/Christchurch/HID%20111.pdf
– 66 Chancellor Street: https://goo.gl/maps/PPRMJDMoVzigGmgv8
https://districtplan.ccc.govt.nz/Images/DistrictPlanImages/Statement%20of%20Significance/Christchurch/HID%20110.pdf

3. Former Shirley Primary School Building
– “The Shirley Primary School was erected in 1915 to the design of George Penlington, the Education Board Architect in Canterbury.
The foundation stone was laid on 16th June 1915.
Sympathetic additions were made to the school building in 1924 and were presumably to the design of Penlington also. This comprised the four east-facing classrooms. Other than these additions, the building appears largely unaltered.
Shirley Primary School was typical of education buildings of this era in both plan and the provision of large windows to each classroom, but has some regional rarity in that it is constructed of brick. The building is prominent within the local streetscape because of its corner site and spacious setting.”
Building Record Form for Shirley Community Centre, 10 Shirley Road, Christchurch
https://quakestudies.canterbury.ac.nz/store/object/13346
– “This building was built as Shirley Primary School in 1915 to the design of Education Board architect George Penlington. With its hipped roof and symmetry, the overall flavour of this school building is Georgian. Its U-shaped plan, and large and regular fenestration, together hint at the Jacobean influence which was to be developed in Penlington’s later work. In addition, it provides evidence of Penlington’s skill in polychromatic brick construction.”
Register Record for Shirley Community Centre, 10 Shirley Road, Christchurch
https://quakestudies.canterbury.ac.nz/store/object/111836
– “Originally entered in the List as a Category 2 historic place (#7117) – Demolished 2012. This building was constructed in 1915 as Shirley Primary School.
It was built to the design of Education Board architect George Penlington.
The building’s hipped roof and symmetry gave the building an overall Georgian air, whilst its U-shaped plan and large and regular fenestration hinted at the Jacobean influence which was to be developed in Penlington’s later work.”
Canterbury earthquakes: Christchurch Q to Z: Shirley Community Centre (former Shirley Primary School) 10 Shirley Road, Christchurch.
https://www.heritage.org.nz/places/lost-heritage
– George Penlington, Canterbury Education Board Architect, including Shirley Primary & Richmond School
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/george-penlington/
– “Cantabrians have long been proud of the region’s education heritage, but they have extra reason to pay respect to the city’s remaining historic educational treasures…”We do tend to forget about our educational buildings. But it is so unusual to have such a concentration of our colonial beginnings in one small area and they tell us so much about our social history,” says Heritage consultant and chair of ICOMOS New Zealand Jenny May.
Some of the city’s foremost and celebrated colonial architects designed these institutional buildings: William Armson, Thomas Cane, Collins and Harman, Benjamin Mountfort, George Penlington, Samuel Hurst Seagar and Cecil Wood.
Although some of these buildings have been lost, they were a significant part of the city’s architectural as well as social heritage.”
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1304/S00110/christchurch-s-education-heritage-recognised.htm
– Building Yesterday’s Schools: An analysis of educational architectural design as practised by the Building Department of the Canterbury Education Board from 1916 – 1989, by Murray Noel Williams.
“One development, unique to Canterbury, was that for a short period, from 1924-29, a local pressure group, the Open Air Schools’ League became so powerful that it virtually dictated the CEB’s design policy until the Board architects George Penlington and John Alexander Bigg reassumed control by inflecting the open-air model into the much acclaimed veranda block.”
https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/9591

4. Former Shirley Community Centre
– “The Shirley Community Centre is located in a park like setting on the corner of Shirley Rd. In May 1977 the building and site became surplus to Ministry of Education requirements.
In October 1977 Christchurch City Council was appointed to control and manage the site pursuant to the Lands and Domains Act 1953.
The site was set aside for use as a Community Centre and the running of the Centre was handed over to the Shirley Community Centre Society, which had been established earlier in the year to lobby for the building to be used as a Community facility. The centre opened for hire in March 1978, as a ‘place for cultural, educational and recreational activities’.
Over the next almost 25 years funding from the City Council, fundraising and volunteer work from members of the Society and the local community have restored this building to a pleasant, well appointed Community Centre the local community can be proud of. It is well used by both local and citywide community groups, clubs and some commercial ventures, and is largely self-funding.”
http://archived.ccc.govt.nz/Council/CommunityPlans/Shirley-Papanui/2001/CommunityCentreIdealVenueForGroupsClubs.asp
– Christchurch City Libraries, Shirley Community Centre, Earthquake Damage Photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/christchurchcitylibraries/
Search = Shirley Community Centre, or try this link:
https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=29328098%40N06&view_all=1&text=shirley%20community%20centre
– The Shirley Community Centre building was a Category 2 historic place (#7117) & demolished in 2012, due to earthquake damage.
“Facilities Rebuild Tranche 1, 21. Shirley Community Centre. Replace. Section 38 (claim insured value).”
https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/The-Rebuild/Community-facilities/CommunityFacilitiesTranche1.pdf
– Since 1915, this location at 10 Shirley Road/Shirley Community Reserve, has been an important part of our communities identity.
First as the original Shirley Primary School, then as the Shirley Community Centre, until the building was demolished in 2012, due to earthquake damage.
This historic landmark has been a ‘place of learning’ on Shirley Road for over 100 years & still is today with the Shirley Playcentre onsite.
Leaving it empty without a community building, is a constant reminder of what we have lost, that our communities have been forgotten & we have no community legacy for the future generations.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-overview/
NZ Society of Genealogists, Canterbury Branch
– “10 Shirley Road was the home for NZ Society of Genealogists – Canterbury Branch, for 21 years from February 1990 until the February 2011 earthquakes. We were hoping that a new Community Centre would be built on the same site to serve the local community in many ways, and possibly return ‘home’.”
Fiona Lees, NZ Society of Genealogists – Canterbury Branch, Convenor
“Our city has special needs with what we have been through in the last decade, where the community have shown how strong they can be supporting each other, and desperately need safe and welcoming meeting places to suit all needs.”
Pages 61-62, Letter from Fiona Lees, Convenor
NZ Society of Genealogists, Canterbury Branch
Pages 63-70, NZSG Canterbury Branch, 50th Anniversary – February 2018, includes photos of Shirley Community Centre
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2020/11/PICB_20201120_AGN_4525_AT.PDF
– “Established in 1968, that makes the [NZ Society of Genealogists] Canterbury regional branch the oldest in New Zealand…For Lees, that passion was wanting to know more about where she came from and what influences made her the person she is today.”
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/genealogy-passion-and-addiction-christchurch-woman

5. Environment
Shirley Community Reserve
“The land at 10 Shirley Rd 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 unless and until the reserve classification is changed.
This involves a process set out in the Reserves Act 1977, providing for notification and objections by the public.
It also appears the land could not simply sit ‘vacant’ with the reserve stats unchanged, as that would also be inconsistent with the reserve purpose.”
9. ‘Shirley Community Facility Rebuild – 10 Shirley Road’ Report
5. Background (Page 19) & 9.9 Legal Implications (Page 27)
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2015/08/SPCB_19082015_AGN.PDF
Significant Shirley Community Reserve Park Trees
There are 8 Significant Park Trees (Protected Vegetation) along the northern & eastern boundary of the Shirley Community Reserve.
Shirley Playcentre
Since 1915 this site has been a ‘place of learning’, as the original Shirley Primary School, then with the Shirley Community Centre & today the Shirley Playcentre is on this site (back left corner of the Reserve, from Shirley Road).
61 Chancellor Street: https://goo.gl/maps/oqMKT7MQJawX1YAN7
“Shirley Playcentre operates under the guidance of the Canterbury Playcentre Association. The playcentre is a parent cooperative with parents encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the playcentre’s programme and management.
Shirley Playcentre is located in the Shirley Community Reserve.
The community has become increasingly transient and culturally diverse due to the changes in employment in the local area.
Since the 2012 ERO report, the playcentre’s main focus has been to upgrade the outdoor environment.
Parents have made links with the local community to extend children’s learning opportunities. Adults make good use of the community gardens and the local stream to support children’s learning in natural science.
The playcentre works closely with the nearby school. Children take part in school programmes and are regularly visited by groups from the school.”
https://ero.govt.nz/institution/70118/shirley-playcentre
Dudley Creek
– “Dudley Creek, which flows through Bishopdale, Papanui, Shirley and Richmond before entering the Avon River was named after him [Dr Charles Dudley 1810 – 1881].”
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/dr-charles-dudley/
– Dudley Creek runs along the southern boundary of the Shirley Community Reserve, 10 Shirley Road.
https://riseuprichmond.nz/dudley-creek/
Dudley Creek Flood Remediation
– “Detailed flood modelling and in the upstream zones of Dudley Creek, waterway widening, silt removal and infrastructural remediation will improve the existing waterways. In addition to this ecological and landscape values will be enhanced, including improving in-creek eel and fish habitats, new riparian and tree planting and improved pedestrian pathways. These interventions are carefully designed not to inhibit flood capacity at times of peak flow, and simultaneously provide an inviting and accessible waterway corridor for local residents and visitors when the creek is at its natural low flow level.”
https://www.wsp.com/en-NZ/projects/dudley-creek-flood-remediation
– https://ccc.govt.nz/services/water-and-drainage/stormwater-and-drainage/stormwater-projects/flooding-newsletters-and-works-notices-2/
– ‘Getting All The Multidisciplinary Ducks In A Row – Stream Waterway Design’ by Murphy A (Beca), Smith I (Beca), McMurtrie S (EOS Ecology), Keesing V (Boffa Miskell)
https://www.waternz.org.nz/Attachment?Action=Download&Attachment_id=1895
Dudley Creek Esplanade Reserve
– Path from Slater Street to Shirley Shopping Centre (corner of Hills & Shirley Road).
https://goo.gl/maps/Ji5haPVwJxgBF1167
– “I’m always amazed when I find little pockets of Christchurch that are wee gems like this – I think unless we live or work in an area we never really get to know other parts of the city all that well.”
https://christchurchdailyphoto.com/2018/09/06/dudley-creek-planting-near-hills-road/