Give our City a Heart

Chris Parkin says that these buildings are not used to deliver core council services!

Well, I would like to tell Chris, that as we hear of the mayhem in the world,

- in this world where murdering war lords are assisted into power, where a country is illegally occupied for its oil by dumping thousands of tons of depleted uranium bombs over its cities, where Africans are denied cheap life saving generic drugs to combat the scourge of aids,

- where right wing paramilitaries are paid to murder trade unionists, teachers and peace workers in other countries,

- and where we are taught by the leader of the most powerful country

- that pre-emptive strikes are the way to resolve disputes..

I would like to tell Chris, that Council's core business must be is one of promoting peace and conflict resolution, the well-being and health of our communities,

One of counteracting that poisoned chalice offered to us by some of our leaders.

It is a well known fact, that the strength of a country's civil society, is the single most important determinant of the peace, happiness and well being of people. It figures well above income levels and the type of government.

However, WCC is proposing knee capping the community groups, and shifting them out of these buildings, just to generate some short term cash.

Community groups, on the other hand, have a vision - we have a vision which unites communities,

We have a vision where stepping stones are provided,

Assisting our people away from the violence of broken families, of broken communities, of broken societies.

We have a vision, where leadership is provided on cooperative development, on ways to live in powerful homes, in powerful communities, in powerful cities.

OUR WCC must cease this opportunity. Instead of dividing groups,

WCC must scope the needs of these community groups, and then adapt space for those groups.

Instead of ejecting groups,

Council must facilitate budding new community groups, with meeting space, education through participation, youth space,

community controlled cafés as an alternative to foreign owned fast food outlets, Council must facilitate a new cooperative space to perform and exhibit.

On this fantastic day in Wellington, lets look at the wider concept of guardianship, kia tia kitanga. Lets look at the guardianship of our communities, as well as the environment and coastlines of our wonderful city.

And lets continue to look for the communal path, based on discussion, communal decision and collective efforts to achieve what is being sought.

Oppose the sale and give a heart to our city!

Kia ora,
Paul Bruce
Community building - A heart for our City
Paul.Bruce@paradise.net.nz
272 Ohiro Road, Wellington.
Tel 04 972 8699

Join us in asking the Council to value the work of community groups and the well-being of our City by setting aside a building in this block to establish a dedicated community group space in the inner city.

WHY?

- Community groups make a huge contribution to Wellington by providing essential services to thousands of people and by adding vibrancy, diversity and compassion to the life of the City.

- Community groups need affordable, sustainable, centrally located premises from which to most effectively deliver their services.

- Council commitment to community group accommodation helps create a healthier, safe City and acknowledges the significant challenges for community groups in accessing affordable, appropriate and stable accommodation in the inner city.

- By providing a dedicated community group building in the inner city the Council gets best value from its community investment - groups are able to cluster together, gain maximum benefit from limited resources and focus their energy on providing quality services to the public.

- The financial and social returns to the City can be maximised through sale of some of the properties, development of a community group building and getting buy-in from the private and philanthropic sectors.

HOW?

- Submissions can be made to the Council about its plan to sell the Victoria Willis Street properties. This can be done online at www.wcc.govt.nz, submissions due by 5pm on Friday 19 September.

- For more information contact Vanessa on 473-5358 or wirc@xtra.co.nz or Sacha on 499-2928 or sacha@wclc.org.nz.

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