Views sought on Shirley Community Reserve
Residents are being asked to share their vision for the future of the Shirley Community Reserve - including whether a community hub should be created, the recreation faciltiies developed, or the site left as it is.
The reserve at 10 Shirley Rd was previously home to the Shirley Community Centre, which hosted various organisations and projects.
The centre was damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes and demolished in 2012. The reserve was then fitted with facilities including a basketball court, playground, pump track and a large green space.
In 2020, feedback from 58 public submitters was split between replacing the old community centre and developing the area into an open green space.
In 2021, the council approved $3 million of funding to rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre and requested an updated feasibility study.
Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board chairperson Emma Norrish said the board wanted to "develop a meaningful, dynamic, and fun space for everyone, so that the reserve becomes a destination of choice for the community".
The community is being asked their opinion on three options for the reserve.
The options are:
- A recreation space with a full basketball court, renewed playground, planting, a picnic and BBQ area, a community garden and a walkway.
- Creating a community hub that's open to partnerships with local organisations.
- Leaving the space as it is.
Visit the council's website to have your say.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84% Yes
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14.7% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
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Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.