Manuka Cottage manager Cherylan Davies thinks the city council should be investing more in Addington and paying greater attention to what residents want.
Mrs Davies and other residents she has spoken to are concerned with “the amount of money that’s being spent in the central city.”
She said it is “understandable to a point” – but it is coming “at the cost of the little suburbs.”
“There’s nothing for youth in Addington. There’s no basketball court, there’s no skateboard park, and because we are in such close proximity to the central city, council would say, well, you could walk to Washington Way skate park. There’s not a lot of things for youth and for children to do and this is just parents and kids saying it when you’re talking to them,” said Mrs Davies.
On the streets of Addington, business owners and residents approached by Southern View were split on whether the area needs more investment.
Said Lincoln Rd’s Pramukh Convenience Store manager Bipin Parmar: “Most of the proportion of the money goes to the central city and not looking after businesses.”
Mr Parmar said the area needs the city council to invest in “something to make Addington more attractive” and “make it safe for the people.”
He said in spite of being close to Hagley Park, it also needs some “kids fun or something because there’s nothing much to do for kids.”
The Miller Bar & Cafe owner Michelle Cattell said the suburb has been neglected.
“I think they [city council] are just too busy focusing on the central city.”
She said the city council’s plan to build new bus lanes, which will operate at peak times on Lincoln Rd and reduce the speed limit to 30km/h for a 900m stretch, will do more harm than good.
“The 30km/h zone and the bus lanes – that’s going to ruin the dairies.
“This redevelopment is not going to benefit Addington. They’re looking at Addington but they’re doing it for the wrong reasons,” she said.
Ms Cattell feels there is a “double standard” when it comes to the regulations imposed on Addington bars, compared to those in the central city.
“We went into town and some of the people trying to get in could hardly walk.
“It’s like there’s a double standard from the outer bars compared to the inner-city bars.”
However, Addington resident Matt Kamstra is pleased the council’s priority is the central city and says enough attention is being given to Addington.
Said Mr Kamstra “We can’t have big city blocks sitting empty,” he said.
“On the balance of things, Addington’s done pretty well.”
Lincoln Rd Salvation Army Family Store staff member Rose Walker said: “The city’s getting everything because it’s the rebuild.
“We need a vibrant inner city.”
A city council spokesperson said Addington has benefitted from investment.
“Post-earthquake, Addington benefitted from a significant amount of investment and development through business growth and relocation activity, as well as council operational and capital spending.
“Examples of investment in the ward area are the recent replacement of the temporary stadium turf, securing the continuation of top-level games at the stadium in the area, and Manuka Cottage, where the Spreydon-Cashmere Community Board secured a capital endowment fund grant to purchase a new property that will be city council-owned and community managed.
“The community board has engaged and advocated in the Addington community for the Lincoln Rd bus priority project. Whilst the vote was split at the community board, this was a result of listening to the opinions and concerns of the community. The board did advocate for better public transport as they feel this is important,” the spokesperson said.
