Submission – Page 2 – 10 Shirley Road

Shirley Centre Questions

1. Q. Does the community support a new centre being built?
2. Q. Do we need another community centre?
3. Q. Who would run a new ‘traditional’ community centre?
4. Q. Why don’t we leave the Reserve as a green space?
5. Q. Why don’t we make the Reserve a food forest?
6. Q. Why move the Shirley Library to 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve?
7. Q. Why not relocate the Shirley Library to inside The Palms Mall?

1. Q. Does the community support a new centre being built?
A. Community Hub Support
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/community-hub-support/
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

2. Q. Do we need another community centre?
No, we don’t need another ‘traditional’ community centre, as we already have 7 community centres located within a 2km radius of the 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org/shirley-centre-map
A ‘traditional’ community centre would add operational costs, which is why I have been proposing a community hub (library/service centre/learning spaces/meeting rooms/playground/recreation space).
“Integrated, multi-discipline hubs will be created where it makes sense, and will be the preferred future model:
– Customers can go to one location to meet their requirements
– Lower building maintenance costs
– More efficient use of staff through rostering
In the longer term hubs can become a gathering place for more community services
Facilities are fit for purpose for the community it serves:
– Reduction in costs to council
– Community continues to have pride in their facilities and maximise use
– Locations meet customer demand and are centrally located in our communities
– Higher return on investment in facilities”
(Hub Principles, Page 16)
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-citizen-hub-strategy/

3. Q. Who would run a new ‘traditional’ community centre?
A. “11. Ownership, Governance and Management Review, Governance and Trusts as vehicles to drive Community Outcomes
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-community-facility-feasibility-study/
– One key issue is how to gain a level of co-ordination of efforts across these neighbourhoods.
– Each Trust and its umbrella collectives in the area has a limited reach that naturally extends to the boundary of the neighbourhood they serve…
(Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study, Page 31)
Table 9. Governance options toward increased activation of 10 Shirley Road
Option ‘Support an existing Trust’, Negatives of approach:
– Unfavourable treatment of one Trust over others
– Not one Trust that spans these two neighbourhoods
– Would be either Church or Non-church aligned
– That trust would not necessarily hold the vision (Community Plan) for the whole area
Option ‘All comers’ Approach’, Positives of approach:
– Perceived as fair
– Council is not partisan”
(Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study, Page 33)

4. Q. Why don’t we leave the Reserve as a green space?
A. 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
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/local-green-spaces/

5. Q. Why don’t we make the Reserve a food forest?
A. See above ‘4. Q. Why don’t we leave is as a green space?’
“There are 6 community gardens located within a 2km radius of the 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve.”
https://www.10shirleyroad.org/shirley-centre-map

6. Q. Why move the Shirley Library to 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve?
A. The current Shirley Library is located in the carpark of The Palms (Burwood Ward).
Shirley Library is considered a ‘suburban’ library, but there is a limited book selection, no board room, meeting rooms or learning centre (flexible spaces).
* There are no toilets available in the Library area.
Toilets for the building are located in the corridor off the main entrance to the building.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/christchurchcitylibraries/3978229955/in/album-72157611803290908/

– ‘Suburban’ library: Catchment ranges from 1.5km to 3km radius; services population range from 15,000 – 40,000.
Services could include a variety of activities and flexible spaces.
UDS – Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy and Action Plan 2007.
– ‘Neighbourhood’ library: Catchment ranges from 1km to 1.5km radius; serves population from 10,000 to 12,000 people. Services could include small, broad-spanning collections and a range of activities.
“…(2015) Council/ECan planning with mall owners in Shirley, with a view to possible relocation and upgrade of this library as a ‘suburban’ library.”
This implies that the current Shirley Library is actually a ‘neighbourhood’ library.
https://christchurchcitylibraries.com/2025/Libraries2025FacilitiesPlan.pdf

The actual floor space allocated to the Shirley Library, is less than half of the current building. As the Service Centre (which includes NZ Post) & the Coastal-Burwood Governance Team are also located in this building.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/south-library-report/

There are currently no local ‘suburban’ Christchurch City Libraries in the Innes or Central Ward.
Innes Ward: https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/statistics-and-facts/community-profiles/papanui-innes-central/innes-ward/
Central Ward: https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/statistics-and-facts/community-profiles/papanui-innes-central/central/

Shirley Library is still considered the second busiest suburban library in Christchurch, even without dedicated learning spaces & meeting rooms.
“It [South] is the third-busiest suburban library, behind Fendalton and Shirley, with 4552 weekly visitors.”
https://i.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/128047707/earthquake-repairs-spell-18month-closure-of-popular-christchurch-library
Shirley Library has become our community centre by default, since the Shirley Community Centre was demolished in 2012, as our residents are continuing to ‘vote’ with their feet.

Youth Audit Tool (Page 13) & ReVision Youth Friendly Spaces Audit Report: Shirley Library (Page 20)
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2021/12/YTAC_20211201_AGN_5468_AT.PDF
“The Youth Audit Tool is an asset created by the youth sector of Christchurch, and offers a low-cost, robust methodology for capturing youth voice in the development of places and spaces around the city.”
As a parent of a teenager (diagnosed with ADHD, Autism & Sensory Processing Order), I’m concerned that the ‘Canterbury Youth Audit Check Card’ (Page 18) doesn’t include youth who are neurodivergent or have disability issues.
6. ReVision Youth Audit Shirley Library
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CCCDraftAnnualPlan2022JoannaGould.pdf, Page 6

7. Q. Why not relocate the Shirley Library to inside The Palms Mall?
A. “Libraries are one of the last non-commercial spaces we have where everyone is welcome.” Jenny Offill, Author
See: The Palms Mall https://www.10shirleyroad.org/shirley-centre-funding
See: https://www.10shirleyroad.org/ccc-equity-and-inclusion-policy &
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-integrated-planning-guide/
“Community Facilities need to be as unique in their design as their communities.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution recommended in the literature for the provision of Community Facilities, in fact, the literature supports the exact opposite, as Community Facilities need to reflect the unique needs of the communities they serve.
A ‘Community Focal Point’ (CFP) is a means of enhancing community life by providing a ‘heart’ in each neighbourhood.
The entire space is designed to enable and encourage community connections, in a relaxed, inclusive and welcoming environment that is enjoyable to be in.
Figure 1. Neighbourhood Focal Point Approach to Community Facility Provision” (Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study, Page 9)

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.
These factors need to be considered in any analysis of the cost of access to community facilities.
(Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study, Page 16)

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.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-community-facility-feasibility-study/

Shirley Centre Positives

Shirley Community Reserve: Positives to Participation

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

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

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

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

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

Shirley Centre Map

Each pin is clickable and has more info/links, + & -, are in the bottom left hand corner, so you can zoom in/out.
Click on the square with arrow, in the top left hand corner, to show/hide map legend/layers.

Shirley Centre | Shirley Community Reserve, 10 Shirley Road, Richmond
Proposed site of new Shirley Centre.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/building-ideas/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/landscape-ideas/
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/playground-ideas/
Community Hub: Library, Service Centre, Learning Spaces, Meeting Rooms, Playground & Recreational Space.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-overview/
Connecting Communities around Shirley Road, Christchurch
Suburbs: Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Edgeware, St Albans & Mairehau.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/
https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyCentre10ShirleyRoad/

Shirley Centre | Libraries
There are 17 Christchurch City Council Libraries located in the Christchurch area.
https://christchurch.bibliocommons.com/v2/locations

The current Shirley Library is located in the carpark of The Palms (Burwood Ward).
Shirley Library is considered a ‘suburban’ library.
From Papanui Road (Papanui Library/Papanui Ward) to Marshland Road (Shirley Library/Burwood Ward), children/residents/visitors are without access to a local suburban sized library.
https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/statistics-and-facts/community-profiles/papanui-innes-central/ (Ward Boundary Map, Quick Stats & Facilities)

The current Shirley Library* has a limited book selection, no boardroom, meeting rooms or learning centre (flexible spaces) & didn’t rate well in the Youth Audit.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/youth-audit-shirley-library/

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

Shirley Centre | Education Providers
There are 14 schools, kindergartens & playcentres located within a 2km radius of the 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve.
This map does not include all early childhood education centres.

Shirley Centre | Support Providers
There are 11 support providers located within a 3km radius of the 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve.

These Support Providers available in our area, help locals & those travelling to these area from around Christchurch:
– Child Development: Shirley Toy Library & North Parade Plunket (Shirley)
Specialist Teaching: Seabrook McKenzie Centre, Ferndale Te Ahu School & The Champion Centre
– Neurodiverse: Autism NZ (Canterbury & West Coast)
– Adult Education: Hagley Adult Literacy Centre (Literacy & Numeracy, First Steps, Computer Skills, ESOL)
– Intellectual Disabilities: Helen Anderson Trust & Delta Community Support Trust (Friendship Link)
– Pain Management: Burwood Hospital Pain Management Centre
– Brain Injury: Laura Fergusson Trust
– Older Persons: Delta Community Support Trust (Evergreen Club)

Shirley Centre | Community Centres
There are 8 community centres located within a 2km radius of the 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve.
– 1. MacFarlane Park Centre (MPC)
Shirley Community Trust/St Stephen’s Anglican Church
19A Acheson Ave, Shirley (down service lane)
https://shirleycommunitytrust.org.nz/
– 2. MacFarlane Park Neighbourhood Centre (MPNC)
Shirley Community Trust/St Stephen’s Anglican Church
19 Acheson Ave, Shirley
https://shirleycommunitytrust.org.nz/
– 3. Rhombus
21 Acheson Avenue, Shirley
https://rhombus.nz/
– 4. Avebury House
Avebury House Trust
9 Eveleyn Couzins Avenue, Richmond
https://www.aveburyhouse.co.nz/
– 5. North Avon Community Centre
Delta Community Support Trust/North Avon Baptist Church/Crossway Community Church
101 North Avon Road, Richmond
http://www.deltatrust.org.nz/
– 6. St Albans Community Centre
St Albans Residents Association (SARA)
1049 Colombo Street, St Albans
https://www.sacc.org.nz/
– 7. The Whānau Centre
Neighbourhood Trust/St Albans Baptist Church
49 Nancy Avenue, Mairehau
https://nht.org.nz/the-whanau-centre/
– 8. Richmond Cottage
Christchurch City Council
Corner of (78) London and Pavitt Streets, Richmond
https://ccc.govt.nz/culture-and-community/community-facilities/venues-for-hire/richmond-cottage
“Richmond Caretakers Cottage. In 1873 the Bingsland School was built on land that is now known as the ‘Village Green’. Behind the school headmasters house – built in 1876, was the caretakers cottage, located on the corner of London and Cumberland (now Pavitt) Street. The headmasters house was demolished in 1912, but the caretakers’ house still remains today. After the school was moved to a different site, the old grounds became public recreation ground with the swimming baths still on this site on the southwest corner. In 1978 renovations to save the historic cottage began and in 1982 it was officially opened as the Richmond Neighbourhood Cottage.”
https://www.aveburyhouse.co.nz/uploads/4/7/2/0/47203855/rcn-024-april_2005.pdf

Shirley Centre | Community Gardens
There are 7 community gardens located within a 2km radius of the 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve.

Shirley Centre | Recreational Facilities
There are 32 recreational facilities located within a 2km radius of the 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve.

* 32. Shirley Pump Track (currently located on the grass area/site of the former community centre building at 10 Shirley Road) could be relocated to 5. Avon Hub (co-locating outdoor sports activities with 26. North Parade Fitness Equipment)

Shirley Centre | Playgrounds
There are 17 playgrounds located within a 2km radius of the 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve.
This map does not include school, kindergarten or playcentre playgrounds.

* 1. Shirley Community Reserve Playground needs a renewal, see https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz/data/parks
– Swing, See-Saw & Senior Play Modular Unit: Commissioned 1998-12-31
– Platform, Ladders, Climbing Net, Slide, Tunnel & Firemans Pole: Commissioned 2010-12-29

This playground needs to be redeveloped so that it is inclusive & accessible.
see https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-equity-and-inclusion-policy/ &
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/playground-ideas/

“7.3 Community Needs Analysis for Richmond
– Need for improved playground facilities across Richmond targeting pre-schoolers and small children.”
(Shirley Community Facility Feasibility Study, Page 22)
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-community-facility-feasibility-study/
[see 14. Shirley Playcentre in ‘Education Providers’, located in the Shirley Community Reserve, next to the current playground.]

Shirley Centre | Parks
There are 18 parks located within a 2km radius of the 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve, including the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/local-green-spaces/

Shirley Centre | Transport
Modes of transport to 10 Shirley Road & new resources available at Shirley Community Reserve:
1. Shirley Community Reserve Location
2. Driving: Off Street & Street Parking
3. Public Transport: Buses
4. Bikes & Scooters
5. Walking
Includes:
– 1.1 Water Fountain, 1.2 Information Board & Interpretation Board(s)
– 5.1 Dudley Creek Walking Track & 5.1.2. MacFarlane Park Birdsong Trail
From the North in Shirley, through Shirley Primary School grounds, crossing over Shirley Road to the Shirley Community Reserve, South through Richmond, to connect up with the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor.
– 5.1.3 StoryWalk®, 5.1.4 Dewey Decimal Trail & 5.1.5 Footpath Obstacle Course
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-centre-transport/

CCC Draft Annual Plan 2023-2024 Presentation

On Friday, 28th April 2023, I presented my submission to the Christchurch City Council’s Draft Annual Plan 2023/24.

Five minutes for the fifth year in a row & 15 pages, advocating for the rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre & redevelopment of the Shirley Community Reserve, at 10 Shirley Road, Richmond.

Video: https://youtu.be/k6kVQ_JJxkY
Written Submission: https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2023/04/CAPL_20230428_AGN_8415_AT.PDF, Page 127-143
Blog Post: https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-draft-annual-plan-2023-2024-submission/

“The 10 Shirley Road site has historically been a ‘place of learning’ since 1915 when the original Shirley Primary School was built.
The foundation stone was laid on 16th June 1915.

In May 1977, the building and site became surplus to the Ministry of Education requirements.
In March 1978, Shirley Community Centre opened as a ‘place for cultural, educational and recreational activities’.
It was a Category 2 historic place (#7117) & demolished in 2012, due to earthquake damage.

To be honest, after 5 years advocating for this site, I didn’t know what more I could say in my submission this year.

It wasn’t until I started trying to condense my research into the 15 pages you have before you, that I reread the 2015 Shirley Community Facility Rebuild report.
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2015/08/SPCB_19082015_AGN.PDF, Page 17-32

Well done, if you clicked on all the links in my written submission, you deserve a gold star!

The key point I would like to highlight today is found in:
Option 4 – Do not build a Community Facility at 10 Shirley Road.

In the ‘Legal Implications’ section: 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.

It also appears the land could not simply sit ‘vacant’ with the reserve status unchanged, as that would also be inconsistent with the reserve purpose.

Option 4: Does not restore the service available pre-earthquake on what was a popular, heavily used site.
Unlikely to be acceptable to the Community.

Eight years after this report was written, residents have seen no further progress to reinstate their local community facility & the land has been left vacant.

The current 2030-31 funding time frame, does not align with the purpose of the reserve status & legal implications, or the District Plan changes where housing intensification has already exceed predicted population density in the suburbs surrounding the reserve.

Our demographics have changed, our rates have increased by 59%, we have a climate change emergency, yet we can’t ‘live local & go local’, when we have no ‘suburban’ sized libraries in the Innes Ward.

For the last 5 years I have been highlighting why this site is so important to our communities wellbeing.

A draft concept plan needs to be created & costed now, before a detailed budget can be presented to Council for approval.

We have been waiting for a rebuild since 2012.
Council doesn’t have to buy the land, or have an existing building demolished.
So let’s get on with it…”

Q. “Is there access to the [Shirley Primary] school across the road for community events and also with the North [Avon] hub just down the road on North Parade, has that changed your expectations?”
Kelly Barber, Councillor for Burwood Ward
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6kVQ_JJxkY&t=205s

A. “What I’ve presented from the beginning, since 2018, is not just a standard traditional community centre.
It’s a Learning Library, which involves putting a community centre building, that has the resources that a library has, with learning spaces, flexible spaces, meeting rooms.
All that we don’t have in our Innes Ward, and the closest option is the Shirley Library, which isn’t fit for purpose. It isn’t big enough, it doesn’t have those facilities available, so our communities are missing out or having to travel to other libraries.”

A. 1 | Shirley Primary School
11 Shirley Road, Shirley, https://shirleyprimary.school.nz/

The 10 Shirley Road site is central to our 14 local education providers, all are within 3km of the 10 Shirley Road site, Shirley Community Reserve.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/local-education-providers/

Since the redevelopment of our local schools, after the earthquakes, our children now have access during the school day to new learning spaces, school halls, sports fields & playgrounds.

But our preschoolers, ‘home school’ children, ‘correspondence school’ children & children after school/during the school holidays, living in the communities surrounding 10 Shirley Road (Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Edgeware, St Albans & Mairehau), don’t have access to learning spaces/books/resources, as there is no ‘suburban’ sized library in the Innes Ward & the Shirley Library has limited books/resources/seating & doesn’t have any learning spaces.

A. 2 | Avon Hub
77 North Parade, Pricing varies based on availability
Indoors: Full sized Basketball Gym with wooden floor – gym is 30m long x 21m wide.
Outdoors: 3/4 sized hockey turf which can be played as 3 futsal/korfball turf with sand based astro surface LED lights for night use.
https://www.easterncommunity.co.nz/facilities/avon-hub/
https://www.easterncommunity.co.nz/facilities/avon-hub-terms-and-conditions/

While we have indoor & outdoor sports facilities/parks in our communities, they are aimed at ‘teams’, not ‘individuals’ & there are financial costs (hire costs, club fees, uniform etc) associated with participating in these sports, which can exclude residents on a low income.
Most sports are played after school, at night or during the weekend.
We have a lack of opportunities for those who are available during the daytime.

Our residents have plenty of opportunities to access greenspaces in their local communities:
– Sports Park, Local/Community Park, Garden & Heritage Park & Residential Red Zone:
https://smartview.ccc.govt.nz/map/layers/parks#/@172.65274,-43.50686,15
– Sports Park:
MacFarlane Park (Shirley), https://goo.gl/maps/QhThPt1nuTxAm8UE7
Richmond Park (Richmond), https://goo.gl/maps/13AEMPazxMbRxmhg8
St Albans Park (St Albans), https://goo.gl/maps/98f3mpMW1tPiV1xR8
Westminster Park (Mairehau), https://goo.gl/maps/cc8c5m19k7KD393e8
Walter Park (Mairehau), https://goo.gl/maps/jVh8C8fEskeZKGXz7

We don’t have a lack of school facilities in our local communities.
We don’t have a lack of greenspaces in our local communities.
We don’t have a lack of community centres in our local communities.
What we do have is a lack of Christchurch City Council ‘suburban’ sized libraries in our local communities.
What we do have is a lack of places we can ‘be’ during the day in our local communities.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/you-are-here-a-place-to-be/

Christchurch City Council Draft Annual Plan 2023-2024 Presentation
Waiapapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board
Chairperson Emma Norrish and Deputy Chairperson Simon Britten

Video: https://youtu.be/yIRt2rONJhg?t=457
“Placemaking and greenspace shaping from Innes to Central
Shirley Community Reserve
Community conversations to realise the vision for the future of the reserve.”

Written Submission: https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2023/04/CAPL_20230427_AGN_8414_AT.PDF, Page 43-52
Page 45: 1.9 Capital Programme
i. Project 20053 (‘Shirley Community Centre’) – noting that though this is what this line item is labelled as, it is requested that this be re-labeled as a ‘community facility’ to more broadly reflect the consultation to be undertaken with this community on what is preferred for this site).

CCC Draft Annual Plan 2023-2024 Submission

Christchurch City Council
2023-2024 Draft Annual Plan ‘Have Your Say’ Consultation
https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/haveyoursay/show/582

Att: Mayor Phil Mauger, Deputy Mayor Pauline Cotter, Councillors & Council Staff

Re: Rebuild of the former Shirley Community Centre & Redevelopment of 10 Shirley Road/Shirley Community Reserve

The attached .pdf has been compiled from my research & ideas over the last five years.
CCCDraftAnnualPlan2023SubmissionJoannaGould.pdf

I ask the Council to consider this information & the growing needs in the local communities surrounding Shirley Road:
Shirley, Dallington, Richmond, Edgeware, St Albans & Mairehau.

We have been waiting since 2012 for the rebuild of our community centre at 10 Shirley Road, Richmond.
Our communities keep growing, due to infill housing & more social housing.

We can’t keep waiting for a new building to be built, because what could happen inside this building, is needed now:
a ‘fit for purpose’ local ‘suburban’ sized library with learning spaces & a wider range of books, citizen hub for community connections, community directory, sharing resources, promoting local activities/events/organisations, community education, connecting residents to the right support services at the right time…

As a former Shirley now Richmond resident & research/designer, I would be happy to be part of any discussions regarding this rebuild/redevelopment.

Through my families lived experience with mental health, disability issues & neurodiversity, I can share my insights into ‘why’ I’ve suggested these research based ideas for a new Shirley Centre.

Please proceed with planning the ‘Rebuild of the former Shirley Community Centre & Redevelopment of 10 Shirley Road/Shirley Community Reserve’, so that a proposal can be presented to our communities for consultation.

Thank you for your time,
Joanna Gould
https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyCentre10ShirleyRoad