I'd like to acknowledge Alexandra Davids and all members of the Keep Christchurch Beautiful Trust.
As Mayor I am the patron of a number of Trusts. There are very few duties associated with being a Patron, but when I am asked to say a few words, I really like to do so. I may have the honour of this role as patron, but it is you who I want to honour and pay tribute to for all that you do.
Keeping Christchurch Beautiful has been a particular challenge over the last few years - nature did some real damage to properties and unrestrained, nature in the form of weeds does not make for a beautiful environment befitting our country's Garden City.
Your aim is one that we should all sign up to - To encourage civic pride and the promotion of beautiful Christchurch.
I love your beauty spot challenge. I was so inspired, when I went for a walk on Sunday, I took a rubbish bag and I cleaned up as I went. It was a great feeling.
I remember seeing a FB post a couple of years ago that showed an overflowing bin - this was the Council's fault according to the post - no-one mentioned the mindless vandals who kept piling on the rubbish even though it was ending up on the ground. And yes I use the word vandals deliberately - they are no better than those who scratch windows and slash tyres - someone has to clean up after them and yes it costs money.
Communities that refuse to turn a blind eye to people dumping their rubbish - who report and clean up - they will end up with a community they can be proud of. And it's not the council shirking its duty - it's the community taking back the power to define who they are.
Thank you for what you do. It matters now more than ever that we Keep Christchurch Beautiful!
As Mayor I am the patron of a number of Trusts. There are very few duties associated with being a Patron, but when I am asked to say a few words, I really like to do so. I may have the honour of this role as patron, but it is you who I want to honour and pay tribute to for all that you do.
Keeping Christchurch Beautiful has been a particular challenge over the last few years - nature did some real damage to properties and unrestrained, nature in the form of weeds does not make for a beautiful environment befitting our country's Garden City.
Your aim is one that we should all sign up to - To encourage civic pride and the promotion of beautiful Christchurch.
I love your beauty spot challenge. I was so inspired, when I went for a walk on Sunday, I took a rubbish bag and I cleaned up as I went. It was a great feeling.
I remember seeing a FB post a couple of years ago that showed an overflowing bin - this was the Council's fault according to the post - no-one mentioned the mindless vandals who kept piling on the rubbish even though it was ending up on the ground. And yes I use the word vandals deliberately - they are no better than those who scratch windows and slash tyres - someone has to clean up after them and yes it costs money.
Communities that refuse to turn a blind eye to people dumping their rubbish - who report and clean up - they will end up with a community they can be proud of. And it's not the council shirking its duty - it's the community taking back the power to define who they are.
Thank you for what you do. It matters now more than ever that we Keep Christchurch Beautiful!