We have highlighted the work of Porirua's Village Planning Programme in 2009 newsletters. Once was to congratulate them on winning the Supreme Award at the 2009 New Zealand Post Group - Local Government Excellence Awards.

In March 2010 those involved with the programme were invited to Auckland to share their experience with North Shore, Waitakere and Manukau councils and communities. Sharing and learning are at the heart of Inspiring Communities so we were keen to find out some of the key issues that were talked about.

But first, a reminder about the Programme.

The Village Planning Programme is a groundbreaking partnership between Porirua City Council and its communities. It puts communities in charge of developing a vision for their neighbourhoods and then partnering with Council to make it happen. This vision is brought together through community consultation and developed into Village Plans, which lay out the community's goals and aspirations for the future of their neighbourhood.

So far, eight Porirua communities have engaged in the Village Planning process. Their plans have been hugely diverse, reflecting the differing nature of the villages. Projects requested have included everything from a new waterfront promenade and skatepark, to a beach management plan and community fair.

The Village Planning Programme has revolutionised the way Council works alongside its communities. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. It is being reflected in a noticeable increase in community pride and a deeper relationship between Council and its communities. The programme:

• optimises the opportunity for Council and community to work together
• helps Council set strategic directions
• recognises the unique nature of each community

The Council's website is packed full of information on the programme.

New murals at Cannons Creek - part of their Village Planning development.
The murals have been created by acclaimed New Zealand artist Michel
Tuffery and a group of budding young artists from Porirua

Invited by the North Shore

In March, the Porirua team was pleased to be invited by the Chair of one of the North Shore Residents Associations and the North Shore City Council and "We viewed this as an opportunity to share stories and examples of what is a happening the North Shore as well as what, why and how we are developing Village Planning in Porirua" said Moira.

Moira commented that the key information they were interested in conveying included:

• that it is possible and productive for Council and community to work together on both small and large changes
• once this starts, the initiative and the momentum bring other agencies on board eg Tranzrail is involved in transport issues in one of the Village areas. Their involvement wouldn't have been possible if the residents alone had been working on the issue. Because the Council has an existing relationship with both the residents and Tranzrail they could ‘build a bridge' between the two
• There is no formula or template but principles based on:
  • Recognising the role that local residents have in developing their community
  • The importance of creating a shared future vision that is bigger than any individual project. The shared vision acts as a touchstone and can be useful when difficulties arise
  • Working where partners want to work - where the interest lies
  • Being practical. This helps with urban design and the practical, physical structural work of Council

  • Noticing the strengths and assets in villages - and counting and building on them, including knowing where local people have the energy and commitment for development or change.

"So often local people hold the history of an area. This is really helpful information for a Council officer who may be working on a current idea or plan from a technical perspective" commented Moira.

Issues people raised in Auckland discussions

The Auckland governance reforms were ‘ever present' for people we met and presented to. And as well we had a very interesting discussion In Waitakere about how the Village Planning approach contributed to building ‘community capital' and resilient communities. This was a very good line of questioning and discussion and something we are thinking about in terms of developing Village Planning further. Currently, the focus of Village Planning is more physical than neighbourly relationship-building or social well-being focused.

What we are noticing through Village Planning

Moira said there are three changes that stand out:

• It is a bit like ‘success breeds success" As achievements occur people are more energised and interested in more projects. More and more people in each village are becoming involved. New areas are wanting to participate as they c an see the benefits and the momentum in other ‘villages'
• Thinking is changing from the older, adversarial "them and us" way such as: "we have our list of things that we want Council to fix" to "what can we each bring to the table to help develop this project or solve this problem"
• There are noticeably fewer submissions and objections to the Council's Annual Plan because our relationships have changed. Issues are dealt with on a daily basis by people who know each other in the Council and the communities, rather than waiting for an annual process to propose or object.