I’m a bit let down by this whole Urban Rejuvenation. All the media and press releases and editorials lauding it as a community led project. It seems a bit too orchestrated to be the grassroots movement they claim. With foundations being built, co-ordinator, branding, props and colour scheme and all those quotes from representatives of all the ‘appropriate’ groups.
And what is planned?
Ms Malcolm said initial “quick-fire projects” being looked at to get the project moving included having a group of people clean up the “really messy” south Invercargill properties, a rubbish cleanup day with a community barbecue afterwards, asking electricity companies whether south Invercargill residents can paint their many “ugly” electricity boxes, and a one-off sports tournament for south Invercargill schools.
Painting electricity boxes and tidying up private property…then what? The article is headed ‘spruce-up’ and I think that is more appropriate than Urban Rejuvenation or community development or anything else.
The constant references to – supported by Invercargill City Council and Venture Southland – tell you where the $100k allocated by ICC for Urban Rejuvenation is going to go. Out of 13 elected members, how supportive was Invercargill City Council?
City councillors at the launch were Neil Boniface and Thelma Buck.
Two? Urban Rejuvenation portfolio lead and long time South City supporter.
“Myself and Mrs Buck are here to fight on your behalf around the council table to ensure the resources and money are there when you want it,” Cr Boniface told the start-up group.
Bugger me, isn’t that what you were supposed to be doing for the past 30+ years? Then why has Council made it harder to get around South City with the ridiculous changes on Elles Rd (near New World)? Why did it take over five years to get a toilet? Why do they allow downpipes to empty across footpaths under the eaves (Martin Street)?
It seems like they are announcing that they are going to start doing their job after ignoring so much for so long while still increasing rates to unmanageable levels.
It was a long-term project that required grass roots support in south Invercargill, he said.
In other words, don’t expect quick action out of council and where possible the community should do it and tap all the funders rather than us.
I may be a cynic but maybe I will be proved wrong?
