Stuff co.nz 12 August 2014
The Christchurch City Council has scrapped plans to provide street workers with temporary facilities on Manchester St because no-one could agree on a site.
The council had been working on a voluntary accord with the Prostitutes’ Collective since November, promising to provide port-a-loos, a needle receptacle, lighting and security cameras.
Council strategic policy unit manager Alan Bywater said two potential sites for the temporary facilities had been identified, but both options fell through due to opposition from nearby residents and businesses.
The first was opposite the St Luke’s Church on Manchester St, the other where the national library used to be, also on Manchester St.
“The accord is really the only option that’s come forward and we’ve taken a step back from that,” Bywater told a public meeting last night.
Manchester St residents, fed up with noise and rubbish outside their homes, met with city councillors, police and social agencies to discuss their concerns.
Shirley-Papanui councillor Ali Jones said the fact the accord had failed to move forward after months of work showed a law change was the only way to address the issues.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/10372441/Street-workers-hopes-dashed