A driving force behind the development of a Christchurch youth hub is welcoming an agreement with neighbours previously opposed to the project.
An artist's impression of the development for young people planned for central Christchurch. Photo: Christchurch Youth Hub
The purpose-built, multi-use youth and wellbeing centre planned for the central city received $10 million of shovel-ready funding from the government.
But unhappy neighbours challenged its resource consents.
The matter went to mediation, and this week the parties reached agreement.
Youth Hub Trust chair Dame Sue Bagshaw told Morning Report the deal was "fantastic" and meant the go-ahead for a facility that would be vital for the wellbeing of the city's youth.
"We're trying to combine all the things that young people need for their good development - so things like safe housing, things like health services, advice on legal things and help for children, and mentoring and support in terms of counselling..."
Indoor recreation facilities and opportunities for employment would also be available in a cafe and an organic vegetable farm.
It will also provide some accommodation for young people.
Dame Sue Bagshaw. Photo: RNZ
Dame Sue said it was vital that the hub would be located in the central city, because young people needed to be able to access it easily without having to resort to catching several buses.
"I think the main thing they [neighbours] were worried about was an increase in traffic and parking problems and an increase in noise and we managed to work together and come to a good mutual agreement on how we can make this work."
The Victoria Neighbourhood Association's spokesperson, Marjorie Manthei, said the court process gave residents some additional time to think about the situation and they are now happy with the compromises made.
Dame Sue said young people had endured a lot in the city with the earthquakes and the Christchurch mosque attacks that came on top of the normal stresses for young people so they deserved to have the facility.
"Having said that, I would love to see this as the kind of prototype for other centres around New Zealand to support young people better."
