TLC needed for area, group says

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Publication title: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)

For more than 10 years, community rejuvenation project South Alive has worked to boost its corner of the city by creating pride through initiatives

On Friday, community development and operations manager Courtney Ellison outlined to the Invercargill City Council the areas that needed addressing.

‘‘We still receive a lot of comments from the community about the equity of investment and that feeling of the south (of) Invercargill perhaps not having the same standard or levels of service that other parts of Invercargill get.

‘‘We know that some of this may be historic, but we just want to ensure that that remains front of mind when the asset planning is done.’’

Ms Ellison spoke about street beautification, saying the ‘‘green belt’’ which ran from Queens Park in the north of the city to Russell Square in the south highlighted the issue.

While garden beds and plantings could be found in the northern section, it turned into grass once it reached the south, she said.

Public toilets were also a problem, with the group’s submission explaining it had been asking for one to be installed at the popular Russell Square for more than five years.

That was also the issue at Elizabeth Park — a prominent city reserve which recently hosted more than 1000 people at a...