Porirua City has been deservedly hitting the headlines lately for its achievements.  Winning the 2009 IPANZ Prime Minister's Award for Public Sector Excellence for creating a safer city is one example.  Their Village Planning Programme is another.

This article gives a Cannons Creek taste of the new Village Planning approach in Porirua where the Council and communities are working with the strengths of Porirua's geography and people.  The Village Planning Programme is a partnership between Porirua City Council and the city's diverse villages. "It aims to harness each community's vision for its village and then, by working together, turn those dreams into plans and actions to ensure our villages are the best they can be."  said Moira Lawler the Council's Manager of Social and Economic Planning.

In 2005 a community plan was developed by a working group of members of the Eastern Porirua Residents Association, Cannons Creek Opportunity Centre, Maraeroa Marae, and Housing New Zealand and Council staff. The process included a survey run by local residents, local events, workshops and a community feedback day. The resulting "Map to the Future" highlighted target areas including:

• Environment - graffiti and vandalism
• Youth services and activities - working with young people on the streets at night
• Shops and businesses - upgrading the physical condition of the Cannons Creek shops
• Amenities and facilities with a focus on parks and playgrounds, the pool, and local recreation and arts facilities.

Much has been achieved since then. In April this year there was a massive celebration to mark the completion of village planning in the Cannons Creek Campus. The celebration also marked the launch of a new Pacific Island Health Centre. The Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, cut the ribbon on the new health centre. Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash spoke of the village planning work undertaken in Cannons Creek, including specific results:

• An up-grading of the shopping area and lighting improvements. A set of public toilets have been removed at the community's request and several murals have been painted.
• Traffic calming work has been carried out in Bedford St and courtesy crossings installed on raised platforms, improved parking areas and pedestrian footpaths have been widened and enhanced with planted areas.
• Mentor Park (pictured above) has been completed refitted. This meant removing trees and planter boxes enclosing the space. New seating, grassed and concrete areas, a park mural and new shrubs and trees have been put in place. The park is now a popular meeting space.
• Housing New Zealand has opened a new community based office in the campus area.
• Local community organisations have upgraded their buildings and surrounds
• A joint youth services project has begun. It involves 7 local youth organisations with funding from Council and government.

Cannon's Creek Village development has become an opportunity for artists, local residents, community organisations, local businesses, the Council and government agencies to work together towards a common goal, achieving specific results and forging new relationships.

To learn more visit the Village Planning Programme section of the Porirua City Council website or contact the village planning project leader Ian Barlow by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (04) 237 1418.

Moira Lawler and Mary-Jane Rivers

July 2009