Greetings from your Community Board

Highlights from our latest meeting

Since we last got in touch, our Community Board met on Monday 12 July.
We approved a request by the South Brighton Tennis Club to install of new tennis court lighting on South New Brighton Park. Currently there is no lighting at the tennis courts, so this will help members keep up their training during the short winter daylight hours.

Some highlights as seen in our Waitai Coastal-Burwood Area Report for July include ongoing work with Te Tira Kāhikuhiku, the Christchurch Red Zones transformative land use group, to find ways to transform the city's red zones. 

Staff are also working with the North Beach Resident's Association and the North Beach Surf Life Saving Club to identify options for the storage and use of Beach Wheelchairs, so everyone can access the beach.

You can read the minutes for more details of these items and other topics, and find out the dates, times and details of upcoming Community Board and Council meetings here.

Te Tira Kāhikuhiku updates

 There's lots of good work going on in the Red Zone. Our Group had an update from Te Tira Kāhikuhiku on 9 June 2021.

We had a presentations about the potential future projects, including Eden International and Flat Water Sports.

Funding of $10,542 was approved to The Barkery Christchurch Limited to install a weekend pup-up café and canine enrichment area on the corner of New Brighton Road and Brooker Avenue in the East x East space.

The Group also approved licences for temporary land use for the following projects:

Avon Loop Planning Association- for a Peace Park in the Avon Loop Block

Avon Ōtākaro Network for Christchurch East Schools Avon Loop Block.

The Christchurch City Council for - Empowerment Project, The Salem Garden, 14 Harvey Terrace, Richmond.

New "pup up café" for Red Zone

Doggies and their humans will have a new space to play, connect and enjoy some treats once The Mobile Barkery is set up in the Burwood Red Zone later next month. 

Te Tira Kāhikuhiku recently approved $10,542 funding to The Barkery to install a weekend pup-up café and canine enrichment area on the corner of New Brighton Road and Brooker Avenue. 

The dog-friendly café will sit right in the Red Zone, with a free to use hire-able training space for rescue's and dog professionals, an off-leash sensory den, and of course a delicious human and canine menu. 

The Barkery works closely with local dog adoption agencies Dogwatch, NZ Chihuahua Rescue and Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue and they'll showcase adoptable dogs and info about the adoption process. By engaging the public around a mutual compassion toward dogs, The Barkery looks to be a powerful vehicle for responsible dog ownership and canine rescue in Ōtautahi.

For more information on The Barkery, be sure to check out their Facebook page.

2021 Waitai/Coastal-Burwood Community Service Awards

The Waitai/Coastal-Burwood Community Board recently considered nominations for Community Service Awards. These awards are a way of giving well-deserved recognition to people who make our communities better places to live. We won't be holding a ceremony this year - instead our Board will present the Community Service Awards in person.

The 2021 Waitai Coastal-Burwood Community Board certificate recipients are:

Judith Bruce – In recognition of her voluntary work with the Burwood Day Care Centre for the Elderly.

Spencerville Volunteer Fire Brigade – In recognition of their work in protecting and serving the Spencerville and Brooklands communities.

Geoffrey Chapman – In recognition of his voluntary work with the Burwood/Pegasus Community Watch.

Gwen Smith – In recognition of her voluntary work with the Salvation Army Aranui.

Vincent Kose – In recognition of his voluntary work with the New Brighton Community Gardens.

Dennis Trower – In recognition of his voluntary work with the New Brighton Community Gardens.

Yvonne Ritchie – In recognition of her voluntary work as the bookings administrator for the Ascot Community Centre.

New Look for North New Brighton Community Centre

The North New Brighton Community Centre has reopened after a much-needed revamp.

Located at 93 Marine Parade, the North New Brighton Community Centre has just had a two-month, $236,000 refurbishment, inside and out, after the Council identified it as a priority for maintenance.

This is part of our ongoing refurbishments of our Council facilities, which can be booked for all sorts of functions, classes, meetings and more. Works carried out at the New Brighton Community Centre include painting, partial deck and handrail replacement, new doors, new signage, an extension to the upstairs kitchen with all new fittings and appliances, resealing of the hall and stage floors and an upgrade to the toilets.

Fungi farm opens in Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor

A mushroom-themed education, play and foraging area has officially opened in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Area.

More than 50 adults and children attended the Fungi Farm’s official opening this afternoon, complete with hearty, wild mushroom soup, and mushroom-themed sweets and savouries

Located on the corner of Evelyn Cousins Ave and River Road in Richmond, the Fungi Farm will feature six different species of edible native and exotic mushrooms for foragers, 33 manmade mushroom carvings and art installations by local artists, engaging nature play pieces, and interactive signage to educate people about the fast-growing fungi.

The project is an initiative of the Riverlution Collective and driven by the Richmond Community Garden.

Christchurch kids love reading to dogs

Heads turn when Jim strides through Shirley Library with border-terrier Maggie at his heels.

It’s a Tuesday afternoon and Maggie and Jim are here for the popular Christchurch City Council Reading to Dogs programme. 

The pair head for the far end of the library where a red mat, a pint-sized armchair and a little dog bed await.

Excited nine year old twins Keegan and Riley Salt are first up. They’ve booked one of four 15-minute sessions with Maggie, who sits obediently while the boys take turns reading Seriously, Do Not Open This Book aloud and petting the patient six-year old pooch.

Christchurch City Libraries Reading to Dogs has helped hundreds of children since its inception seven years ago, giving them confidence reading to a dog in a calm non-judgemental environment. Watch the video or read more on Newsline.

Candidate nominations now open for Coastal by-election

Preparations are underway for a by-election in the Coastal ward after the resignation of Christchurch City Councillor James Daniels. The by-election will be conducted by postal vote, with voting closing at noon on Friday 8 October.

Candidate nominations are open now and close at midday on Thursday 12 August. Find nomination forms and further information at ccc.govt.nz/elections, or by contacting Electoral Officer, Jo Daly, at jo.daly@ccc.govt.nz or 03 941 8581.

 Matariki Fireworks light up New Brighton

Tīrama Mai ended with a bang as the Matariki Fireworks Spectacular lit up New Brighton on Saturday 10 July. It was great to see so many of you there for the festivities, live entertainment, market stalls and fireworks.  We hope you enjoy these images from the event!