Ashburton Domain’s ‘adhoc’ playground not up to standard
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton Domain's popular playground may have to be rebuilt because it’s been described as an adhoc setup - and its raised wooden edging may be dangerous.
Park Central, the national playground compliance specialists, have completed an audit of the Ashburton District Council’s playgrounds and they’ve recommended the entire Ashburton Domain playground be “reviewed and an overall plan/design is put in place”.
The report states that various playground items and equipment “have been added into the play space in an adhoc manner” and “the surfaces are scattered through the area without any cohesion”.
Its raised wooden edging was an accessibility issue, while the use of bark chip mulch was not a modern children’s landing option.
The Ashburton District Council’s 30-year Ashburton Domain redevelopment, signed off in 2020, already lays out plans for an overhaul.
“Staff are in discussions with the playground inspector and designers,” council community services group manager, Steve Fabish, said.
There’s no timeframe or budget because that would be part of the upcoming activity management plan and long-term plan processes, he said.
The audit would factor that planning into any changes, which could see the upgrade brought forward, he said.
“Possibly, but the overall priority status of general district-wide requirements in playgrounds shall influence the timeline.”
The Ashburton Domain was joined by nine other locations recommended for a full renewal, including the Methven, Rakaia, and Tinwald Domains.
The report assessed 229 individual play assets at 28 district sites, excluding the Lake Clearwater playground, which was unable to be accessed due to bad weather at the time.
The council’s playground assets were valued at $4,001,800 and all equipment was measured against various standards depending on when it was installed, with 93 items being non-compliant.
There were 139 maintenance issues requiring attention at an estimated cost of $40,710, which Fabish said would be addressed this year.
He also said that improving accessibility in all playgrounds was a work in progress.
“Staff will implement changes when and where possible and in conjunction with other site works.”
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
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48.2% Yes
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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