Convenor:

Robyn Hickman, (South Alive Chair), tel 211 60403

Purpose:

The South City Shopping Area Action Group is now run by the South Alive Board of Trustees due to the size and complexity of its main projects. The overall purpose of the project was to transform the Shopping Area into one that South Invercargill residents are proud of, and which meets their needs.

What we have done

• Initially, lots of rubbish clean-ups. Especially in the mall car-park, and the vacant land at the back of the mall
• South City shopping area was one of the highest priorities from the first public meeting in 2012. People wanted things to be different. So we did research with different groups, including businesses, children and youth, and residents. The main things people said were:
• We really like most of the shops we have (supermarket, post office, chemist, doctor etc)
• but we want more amenity value so we can better use the area – e.g. seating and areas where we can watch our kids play, or just sit and watch in a social setting
• We want a lot more colour and planting
• South Alive has used this information, and help from a designer, to come up with a master plan for the transformation of South City shopping area which includes street changes to Martin Street and Elles Road, mall improvements, a community park, sculpture and possibly, in the future, a community hub building
• The Community Park is being developed at the rear of the mall with new fencing, 18 community garden boxes, a half basketball court, grassed area, large performance stage and outdoor fitness gym.
• We have achieved upgrades to the mall through developing a partnership with the mall owners, including: seating, removing kiosk, installing hanging baskets, organising painting of the car park lines and disabled spaces, fixing and cleaning mall lights inside and floodlights outside, replanting the gardens at each mall carpark entrance, fixing the broken carpark sign at the north entrance, replacement of the back automatic door and painting of ironwork on Elles Road
• We have run a $100,000 national competition for a sculpture to be constructed on the corner of Elles Road and Dalrymple Street – with funding from a private donor - Cliff Broad. The winner David Truebridge was announced in March 2015 with the sculpture to be installed by July 2015.
• A Community Artspace and Hub has been established in South City Mall. It will show art exhibitions, provide arts and other courses for the public. The Hub can be used by community groups for meetings, workshops etc. Contact South Alive office for further details or check out the venues page.

Forward plans