TLC needed for area, group says

PARTS of southern Invercargill are desperate for more investment and public toilets, according to a group pushing for equity.

For more than 10 years, community rejuvenation project South Alive has worked to boost its corner of the city by creating pride through initiatives.

On Friday, community development and operations manager Courtney Ellison outlined to the Invercargill City Council the areas that needed addressing.

‘‘We still receive a lot of comments from the community about the equity of investment and that feeling of the south (of) Invercargill perhaps not having the same standard or levels of service that other parts of Invercargill get.

‘‘We know that some of this may be historic, but we just want to ensure that that remains front of mind when the asset planning is done.’’

Ms Ellison spoke about street beautification, saying the ‘‘green belt’’ which ran from Queens Park in the north of the city to Russell Square in the south highlighted the issue.

While garden beds and plantings could be found in the northern section, it turned into grass once it reached the south, she said.

Public toilets were also a problem, with the group’s submission explaining it had been asking for one to be installed at the popular Russell Square for more than five years.

That was also the issue at Elizabeth Park — a prominent city reserve which recently hosted more than 1000 people at a popular children’s day event.

Despite the area being a large open space, it also had a lack of public toilets, drinking fountains, seating and rubbish bins.

The existing toilet building was normally locked and, having received a key for the recent event, Ellison said she could see why.

On the day Local Democracy Reporting visited the park, a wheelie bin was located next to the playground.

Resident Destiny ReedyCooper said she attended the area regularly with her children and supported potential upgrades.

‘‘The littering around there is really bad usually and the drinking fountain would be awesome too,’’ she said.

Other issues highlighted in the submission included upgrades to the South City shopping area, council intervention with neglected properties and dog park improvements.

The public transport system also needed an overhaul, with some people unable to access the supermarket on existing routes, it said.