Bay Harbour: September 16, 2020

Wednesday September 16 2020
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
BAY HARBOUR
PAGE 7
News
Digital needs increasing in communities
• By Bea Gooding
A SCHEME to provide
computers to community
organisations in need across the
city has proven popular, with
digital needs increasing due to
Covid-19.
The city council’s Computers
to the Community Scheme
offers computers for free to notfor-profit
groups to help them
deliver services more efficiently.
Excluding the lockdown,
between July 2019 and June this
year, 220 laptops and desktops
were distributed to organisations,
including the Diamond
Harbour Community Association
and the City to Sumner
Community Patrol.
The Lyttelton Harbour Information
Centre is staffed by volunteers
who promote Lyttelton’s
local services and activities and
received two laptops from the
scheme to help speed up productivity
and to make brochures.
Said manager Ruth Targus:
“It’s saved us an absolute fortune,
we couldn’t have afforded them.
We would’ve had to fundraise
otherwise.
“With cruise ships coming in,
we’re having to offer customers
with more tours, therefore we’re
selling more and needed a laptop
with a better system.
HELP: Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre manager Ruth Targus, with one of the new
laptops they received from the city council to help operations run smoothly.
PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN
“It’s meant a lot less time
writing notes from meetings, it’s
portable and it’s made things a
lot more professional.”
In the past few months, the
city council noted an increase in
requests from groups working
with multi-cultural communities
and have allocated about
50 computers to organisations
with a variety of cultural backgrounds.
City council head of community
support, governance and
partnerships John Filsell said the
cost associated with purchasing
the technology was often a barrier.
Said Filsell: “Covid-19
highlighted the need and use of
technology to feel connected, to
keep in touch with friends and
family both overseas and within
New Zealand to get information,
continuing education and
support the ability to continue
to work.
“Some groups have made the
computers available to those
who do not have them, or used
them to provide information and
support to their communities
by building up an electronic
network.
Meeting demand was not a
major issue but at times the city
council experienced a higher demand
which meant some groups
had to wait longer to receive
their computers.
Positive feedback from groups
so far highlighted the impact of
having the donated technology
for productivity, as funding often
lies with wages or rent.
“At times we have a higher
demand than others. In these
cases, we do have a waiting list
until such a time as we can get
their needs met,” said Filsell.
“If groups are looking to
expand their supports or are
just starting out and need
technology, then the council’s
computers are a good start.”
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Banks Peninsula Water Zone Committee
Kaitiakitanga key for community project
More than 30 community members helped plant 400 trees along the Okuti
River, in Little River, to preserve aquatic life, encourage more habitat for
native birds, and protect the river margin.
The river is extremely rich in biodiversity, with fish species including tuna/
eel and kanakana/lamprey, and an impressive array of freshwater insects.
Many of these species are unique to Banks Peninsula and aren’t found
anywhere else in the world.
The planting day was organised by the Okuti River Project, a community-led
initiative which aims to raise awareness of the value of the river, and the
importance of kaitiakitanga/guardianship to sustaining life in it.
The project receives $10,000 each year from Environment Canterbury’s
Immediate Steps Biodiversity (IMS) fund until 2022, following a
recommendation from the Banks Peninsula Water Zone
Committee in 2018. The Christchurch City Council funded
fencing for the area and helped prepare it for planting.
For more information on the project, or its future community
events,go to www.littleriver.org.nz.
If you would like to know more about IMS funding, or other ways
to protect biodiversity on your land or in your community
visit www.ecan.govt.nz
Photo: Community planting day along Okuti River in August 2020
The Banks Peninsula Water Zone Committee is a
community led committee supported by councils.
ecan.govt.nz/water E20/8123