Formed in mid-2022, with the goal of building on the strengths of South Dunedin to make life better for all, Dream South D is a five-year project funded through the Department of Internal Affairs as part of its community-led development programme.
The volunteer Dream South D steering group, including convener Sarah Jones, Bridget Shaumann, Kathryn Harkin, Denise Ives, Juliet Manning, and Ōtākou Marae runanga representative Bob Bryant, is working to guide the project by learning what the community values and what it wants for the future.
This could be anything from playgrounds to better access to services, with the community invited to share their ideas towards a community plan.
Convener Sarah Jones said the Dream South D project was an "amazing opportunity to grow shared local visions, build on the strengths of the community, and get good stuff done".
To start gathering ideas from the community, the group planned to distribute survey forms to letter boxes across South Dunedin in the next couple of weeks, as well as with The Lowdown magazine, and on the South Dunedin Community Network website (southd.org.nz).
"We want to ask people what they like about living in South Dunedin, what they would like to see, and any ideas they have for initiatives that would improve their lives and the lives of their families and friends," Ms Jones said.
At a recent community hui, people had already shared what they loved about South Dunedin, including its accessibility, and suggested opportunities for improvements, such as pavements, refreshing the main shopping area, bus routes, and the environment.
"South Dunedin is a very proud community, people love the feel of the place, and we want to help enhance that.
"We don’t want to pre-empt what the people want to have in their community — we want to hear their voices," she said.
Steering group member Bridget Shaumann said there were already some very good things happening in South Dunedin, such as the upgrade to Bathgate Park, planning towards a new local library and a growing collection of street art, and the group was looking to add to these.
"Our message is, share the dream and we will help make it real," she said.
The Dream South D project will employ a worker to help liaise with the community, and there will be funding available to help support local initiatives.
"It is important that we find out what people want on every level — from children to older people.
"That way, we can look at what will help connect neighbours together and build an even stronger community," Ms Shaumann said.
Along with distributing its community survey, the Dream South D team will also be on hand at the South Dunedin Street Festival on April 1 to discuss ideas with people face-to-face.
For more information, visit the southd.org.nz, or email admin@southd.org.nz to be added to the email newsletter.
