A once-neglected part of Invercargill has come to life in recent years thanks to a volunteer-led rejuvenation project.
The super-keen team from South Alive (South Invercargill Urban Rejuvenation Charitable Trust) won second place at the 2018 Trustpower National Community of the Year awards.
A 40ft mural at South Alive’s bulk food store The Pantry - designed by local artist Esther Libeaus and Anna Obers, and painted by local students. Photo: via whatsonininvers.nz
South Invercargill has a population of about 18,000 residents, who for years felt less supported than the people of Invercargill proper, says South Alive manager Cress Evans.
"It's traditionally been the poor cousin of Invercargill. People new to town were told not to go south of the railway tracks."
While there have been attempts to regenerate the area before, South Alive took the grassroots approach of shoulder-tapping people who'd identified problems in the past to join a steering community and contribute to the solution.
The South Alive Community Gardens Photo: South Alive
At that time there was a lot of rubbish on the streets, and lack of community pride was identified as a serious issue, Evans says.
After the first volunteer clean-up netted 690 kilos of rubbish, Operation Zero Rubbish – in which individuals and groups adopt a street or area to keep rubbish-free – was born.
Residents are now really proud of their tidy streets, she says.
"It's made a massive difference to how people feel about South Invercargill – just that one small thing."
South Invercargill now has a fortnightly night food market from October to March, a public stage, a basketball court and community gardens.
The Fruit and Nut Tree Group - South Alive Photo: South Alive
The South Alive tree-planting team have become like family, she says.
"They've planted more than 70 fruit and nut trees throughout South Invercargill in public spaces."
In survey when South Alive launched in 2012, only 35 percent of South Invercargill people answered yes when asked if they were proud of their community.
Three years later, 82. 5 percent said they were proud.
The fortnightly Night Food Markets held at the South Alive Community Park. Photo: Corrina Jane Photography
The South Alive motto 'No complaints, only solutions' has inspired locals to be more proactive.
Locals now approach Evans' team not only with ideas for how the community can develop but also the confidence to make them happen.
"Some really great ideas are coming in. It's just super exciting."
