Waimakariri council to review community strategy

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

A challenging environment has changed Waimakariri’s community priorities.

The Waimakariri District Council will review its community development strategy earlier than expected due to the challenges of Covid-19, climate change and the housing crisis.

The last strategy was written in 2015, in the wake of the Canterbury earthquakes, and was expected to guide the council’s community team for the next 10 years.

‘‘A lot has changed since 2015, with Covid-19 and the emerging impacts of climate change, and we’ve seen increasing poverty and growing cultural diversity,’’ Waimakariri District Council community team manager Tessa Sturley said.

‘‘We think it’s important that we look at this afresh.’’

Speaking at last week’s community and recreation meeting, Sturley said the review would be conducted community wide.

Staff have already approached Mahaanui Kurataiao Ltd to ensure a bicultural, partnership approach is applied when developing the strategy.

‘‘It’s a strategic look at the wellbeing opportunities and connections of whole district, so it will include agencies that we work with and support,’’ Sturley said.

The aim of the community development strategy was to ‘‘provide a clear framework’’ for the community team in facilitating how to address local priorities, she said.

The council’s first community development strategy was developed in 2007 and identified the need for increased collaboration ‘‘to facilitate the creation of a safer, happier, healthier district’’.

It led to the establishment of the North Canterbury Family Violence Network, Waimakariri Health Advisory Group, Social Services Waimakariri and the North Canterbury Youth Services Network.

The 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes changed the social landscape, with a large influx of ‘‘earthquake refugees’’ from Christchurch and an increase in migrant workers.

A second community development strategy was prepared in 2015 with the goals of engaging with the community, informing the community about relevant issues and opportunities, and connecting people, groups and organisations.

It had resulted in the established of a migrants and newcomers group and the age-friendly plan.

Sturley said the new review would consider the social recovery from Covid-19, the impact of climate change and the importance of sustainability, inclusive communities and the housing crisis.

Council staff planned to develop a draft strategy by April next year, with the aim of it being adopted by the council in July, after a period of public consultation.