For immediate release October 10th 2014

Brooklyn residents take public consultation into their own hands

A group of Brooklyn residents have partnered with Wellington City Council to pilot a community consultation on the future of social infrastructure and services in the area. As the first citizen-led public consultation for Wellington City, Brooklyn residents (including those in Vogeltown and Kingston, Kowhai Park and Panorama Heights) are urged to take part in describing the best aspects of their inner city suburb and what they think is required to ‘make it hum.’

A group of people representing schools, sports clubs, arts groups and some self-termed ‘keen sticky beaks’ have come together to form a steering group for the consultation, named The Kaka Project. Mary-Ann Butterfield, Chairperson Brooklyn School Board of Trustees says the Steering Group members have “contributed their expertise, understanding of the community and many evenings to consider how to consult the whole community and ensure the best ideas come forward.”

One of the early catalysts for the project was the proposed sale by the Wellington City Council in 2013 of the Vogelmorn Hall, in Vennell St. The Hall is now being promoted and managed by the Brooklyn Community Centre, keeping its future secure in the meantime. Other facilities in the area, including the Vogelmorn Bowling Club and green, plus Brooklyn and Ridgway Schools’ extensions, are also being discussed within the scope of the project.

“This has been a superb coming together of many people in the community,” says Beth Beard, a Brooklyn resident and local Zumba and Pilates teacher. “It feels like the area has gained a sense of itself through the Kaka project.”

Residents have until Monday October 27th to submit their ideas to the Kaka project at http://www.kakaproject.org/#!get-involved/cee5

Coffee sessions are being held at local cafes on the 14th and 16th of October, more details can be found on the Kaka Project Facebook page www.facebook.com/kakaproject

The group will be discussing early findings with City Councillors in November before the next phase of the project begins to explore potential initiatives. Jaime Dyhrberg from Community Networks says “It’s been heartening and inspiring working with a community that’s learning to work together and managing the interests of over 8000 residents.”

ENDS

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