Conversation with Castlecliff – community’s positive response - 10/05/2011

Mayor Annette Main was very pleased to see such a large turnout of Castlecliff residents at last week’s ‘Conversation with Castlecliff’ public meeting.

Held in the newly opened Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tupoho Hall in Cross Street, Castlecliff, around 80 people attended the meeting with Mayor Main, and a group of councillors. The meeting was supported by Safer Wanganui.

“The meeting was held to hear from the local residents and for everyone present to talk about what is happening in Castlecliff. We wanted to know about the positive aspects of living in our seaside suburb, as well as any concerns people have,” says Mayor Annette Main.

“Castlecliff was the ideal suburb to try out the idea of a community meeting, because some work had already been undertaken by the Castlecliff Residents Committee to survey what people think.

“It was encouraging to hear so many people with such positive things to say about living in Castlecliff and the enjoyment they gain from the beach, the domain and community facilities. This was echoed in the recently released survey.

“There are a large group of community groups working in Castlecliff, organizing a variety of activities and support networks including sports, youth facilities, neighbourhood watch initiatives, beach activities – the meeting was also a way for them to let Castlecliff people know what is already happening and how they can be part of this.”

Some issues were raised including lighting, vandalism of toilet facilities at the beach and the management of street trees and council officers will provide advice to Council on how these can be addressed. There was also a desire to revive the local newsletter and have a community BBQ event.

Mayor Main says, “Council would like to acknowledge the work of the Castlecliff Linking Committee over the last 10 years in bringing the various groups working in Castlecliff together. It is now up to the community to decide the way forward.

“This meeting really picked up on the momentum of the community and we will be having another meeting in two months time to carry on our conversation with Castlecliff.”