COVID-19 community update - 30 April 2020
Greetings from your Community Board
Message from the Chair
I want to share a big thanks to all of you for staying positive, kind and caring to one another during the lockdown. It has been challenging, but I'm proud of how we've responded as a community.
Now we’re at alert level three you can venture out a little further locally. Wherever you go outdoors – parks, the beach, the hills or forest, please remember you still need to stay two metres away from anyone not in your bubble.
Our playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipment and park gates will remain closed, as will our libraries and gyms. However, we have some great online services available, so do check them out if you haven't already.
Keeping being kind and look after one another. Kia kaha.
Board Chair, Emma Norrish
What's happening with your Community Board during Alert Level 3?
What governance arrangements will continue through Alert Level 3?
Council meetings are currently scheduled to be held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Find streams and recordings of our meetings at https://councillive.ccc.govt.nz/live-stream. Meetings of Council committees and community boards have been temporarily suspended. The delegated decision-making powers of these bodies has temporarily reverted to the full Council for now.
Are consultations and hearings still going on?
Consultations that had already started before Alert Level 4 came into effect are continuing. In most cases these consultations were already well underway before the lockdown, and have already had a number of submissions. Urgent hearings will be undertaken during alert level 3, with all participants virtually attending by audio or audio-visual link. The hearings will be recorded and be publicly available at https://councillive.ccc.govt.nz/live-stream.
COVID-19: What impact is it having locally?
This rolling blog provides information on how efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 are affecting Christchurch City Council services, facilities and community events. Check here for updates.
Do you need help with your rates?
We know many people in our city are facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. We’re here to help. If you are under financial stress, you may be able to get an extension of up to six months on your next rates payment. Find out if you’re eligible for a rates payment extension and apply online visit ccc.govt.nz/ratesextension or phone 0800 800 169.
Work to restart on Christchurch roading projects
Contractors are resuming work on a number of key roading projects around Christchurch. Christchurch City Council stopped work on all non-essential roading projects during the Level 4 lockdown but the Government’s decision to move to Alert Level 3 from Tuesday 28 April means roading contractors can get back to work.
Popular online workouts core to lifting lockdown spirits
Thousands of Christchurch residents have been pulling on their workout gear and jumping online to take part in the Christchurch City Council’s digital fitness home workouts.
Christchurch City Libraries’ Storytimes goes live
Digital Wā Kōrero is going live as Christchurch City Libraries hosts special online Storytimes sessions featuring several familiar library faces. Underlining the importance of staying in touch with their local communities throughout the lockdown period, the children’s and community learning specialists are presenting a collection of stories via the libraries website.
Video exhibition brings art into our 'bubbles'
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū is giving people the chance to get their art fix at home with an online video series featuring the work of a dozen Kiwi artists.
Called Spheres: An Online Video Project, the programme will run on the Gallery’s website for six months, with a moving image work by a different artist released on each of the first 12 days.
Buses to run more frequently under Alert Level 3
Environment Canterbury is providing increased public transport services under COVID-19 Alert Level 3. Government advice is that travel is still restricted, and is only allowed for permitted movement in your local area – e.g. for going to work or school, shopping, or getting exercise.
Transfer stations re-open under Alert Level 3
The EcoDrop transfer stations at Parkhouse Road, Bromley and Styx Mill are now open again. While we’re under alert level three, you will need to make a booking to drop-off your material at the city Ecodrops. That’s things like rubbish, green waste, recycling and hazardous items. For bookings and more information, please visit ecocentral.co.nz
Playgrounds remain closed but Botanic Gardens open
While our playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipment and park gates remain closed, the Botanic Gardens have re-opened. Please be particularly mindful of others and physical distancing around entranceways and narrow tracks.
Consenting teams to restart site visits
On site building and subdivision inspections have resumed, with additional health and safety measures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Council lists riverside properties on TradeMe
Twelve Christchurch City Council-owned residential sections near the Heathcote River have been listed for sale on TradeMe at fixed prices ranging from $20,000 to $35,000.
Chinese language service speaks volumes for library diversity
A Chinese-speaking service is now available at Christchurch City Libraries. Christchurch City Council Head of Libraries and Information Carolyn Robertson says two staff members can assist the local Chinese community with their queries during the alert level 3 period.
Council supporting businesses to get back on their feet
Christchurch City Council is offering support to its commercial tenants who are endeavouring to find innovative ways to trade safely under Alert Level 3.
Funding boost for social housing in Christchurch
Christchurch City Council has agreed to a rates-neutral loan of up to $25 million to support the building of 85 new social housing units and to kick-start the planning of 54 more. The Council will borrow the funds and then lend them to the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (OCHT), who will construct, operate and own the future units.
Are you ALL RIGHT?
At this time, it's more important than ever for us to be kind, keep in touch and band together. Here we share some of the simple things we can do to look after ourselves and others, and to get through this, together. Check out our COVID-19 tips for getting through together.
MSD update for non-profits
Are you a social service organisation?
Find out what Alert Level 3 means for you.
Student Volunteer Army
SVA Grocery is available nationwide - so whether your whanau live in Timaru or Tauranga, SVA Grocery can deliver to them all within 48 hours.
Get information and advice about COVID-19
Council’s essential services are still operating. For the current status of our services, please visit our website.
For the latest information on how the lockdown is affecting Christchurch please visit Newsline.
If you, or someone you know needs help accessing essentials such as food or medication, please phone 0800 24 24 11.
For everything you need to know about COVID-19, visit Unite against COVID-19.
For health concerns and advice, visit Ministry of Health.
Contact your Community Board
We're working from home to continue providing support and advice to our community.
Contact the Papanui-Innes Governance team
Our governance team are also set up and working from home. You can find all our contact details on the Papanui-Innes web page.
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