Community Plan
The Community Plan sets out the projects that Dream South D will undertake with the support of the community.
Guided by the community’s feedback, we have created a list of projects to complete under three themes.
1. Getting Together
We have a strong and diverse community. Let’s support each other and strengthen our connections by:
supporting activities such as play streets, workshops, community gardens, and recreational opportunities for young people
bringing the community together at events that appeal to all ages
using a range of channels to get more information out to the community about what’s happening
promoting the use of community facilities and making booking them easier.
2. Looking Good
Everything we need is here in South D. Let’s enhance the amenities we have and build on our sense of place by:
sprucing up King Edward Street to enhance its appeal
creating more street art, including artworks celebrating the community
bringing nature into the area, such as plantings in play areas and around sports fields
adding barbecues, seating and other family-friendly facilities to playgrounds.
3. Getting Around
We love that our area is flat and easily accessed by the community. Let’s make it even more accessible by:
installing street furniture, such as benches along main thoroughfares and bike racks for cyclists
investigating transport options for helping people access services
creating walking trails that take in South D’s history, art and green spaces.
For a copy of the Community Plan, download a PDF or email hello@dreamsouthd.org.nz for a printed copy.
Why have we chosen these projects?
The projects in the Dream South D community plan are the ones that the community has told us they would like to see happen in South Dunedin. The plan builds on the strengths of this community and can be achieved with the resources and timeframe that we have.
There are some requests that unfortunately we can’t meet. Some projects are simply too big for us or are part of the work programme of other organisations. We will share your feedback with those organisations.
Some of you are thinking about water and its impact on South Dunedin. There may be things we can do to support the community, working alongside the people and groups who are already active in this area.
Things will change in this plan. New projects will be added, some may change in scope and others may be championed by different community groups. When that happens, we will update the plan.
Who will make the projects happen?
The success of this plan requires people and groups in our community to come forward and work together. We are here to help South Dunedin people get the most out of contributing to their community, as well as to support the kaupapa of the many organisations already doing great work in South D.
Dream South D is here to:
help plan the projects
bring the community together to get the work done
apply for funding and contribute other resources
troubleshoot the challenges
be cheerleaders for the community’s mahi!
What’s next?
We’ve completed a bunch of community projects, and you’ll see much more happening over the next few years - projects will be popping up around South D, and we’ll have more information to share as we get them underway. And if you see something in the plan that you’d like to help make happen, please get in touch!
The community’s feedback
To create the community plan, we needed to understand what matters most to the community. We asked the people of South D three questions: What do you love about South D? How could it be better for you, your whānau, your friends? And if you could change one thing, what would that be?
We sought input through conversations at community events, through a survey, and at workshops and interviews. We talked with as many people as we could until we felt confident that we understood the community’s aspirations.
Oct to Dec 2022: Conversations at community events
Oct 2022: Online survey launched
Nov 2022: South Dunedin Community Network hui – workshop with over 60 participants
Feb 2023: Survey distributed via letterboxes and businesses around South D
March 2023: Survey inserted into The Lowdown
April 2023: Conversations at the South Dunedin Street Festival
May to July 2023: Workshops and interviews with over 120 representatives and members from over 70 organisations
July 2023: Survey closes with over 360 responses received
August 2023: Community feedback analysed
September 2023: Community plan drafted and first projects underway
November 2023: Community plan and community feedback report published
What did the community tell us?
When we talked with the people of South D, you told us that you are proud and passionate about your community. You love the diversity of the people who live here. You value opportunities to connect with people and to feel that sense of belonging.
You also enjoy having everything you need to hand, as well as the accessibility of things on ‘the flat’.
You told us that the community is long standing and cohesive, which provides a sense of familiarity and comfort. There’s a lot of creativity and lively energy in South D too. We are a resourceful community – willing to take time to help each other out and to make what we have go further.
“Love the community here. People talk to each other.”
“People can be themselves and it’s ok.”
“Real mix of people. Makes me feel at home.”
When we asked how we could make South D even better, you had lots of ideas.
“A place where we can learn from each other ... essential skills, crafts, woodwork etc.”
“More places to walk.” “Freshen up the main street.”
“Wooden seats, art, things that encourage people to meet, chat, come together.”
“More plants and shrubs, trees in the streets and in the parks.”
“More events in the community to connect.”
For the full results of the community’s feedback, download a PDF or email hello@dreamsouthd.org.nz for a printed copy.
And finally…
During our community engagement phase, many local people, groups and businesses generously shared their thoughts, feedback and experiences of life in South Dunedin with us. After creating our Community Feedback Report and Community Plan, click here to see what else we’ve done with that information.