Council's play advocate role questioned: 'It feels a bit like a nanny state'
"There are so many spaces we’ve got in Invercargill for people to play, why is it the council’s role to get involved in a role that should be taken up by the caregivers and parents?”
An Invercargill City Councillor has questioned whether the introduction of a new ‘local play advocate’ position is actually the role of the council.
And he went as far as saying it felt a bit like a ‘nanny state’.
Dr Damien Puddle has been employed at the council as a ‘local play advocate’.
The position is funded through central Government and is initially in place for two years.
Puddle spoke to councillors this week where he outlined the fact that the council’s ‘local play strategy’ was underway.
He told councillors Sport New Zealand has identified that children’s right and opportunity to play was under threat in New Zealand and innovative approaches were necessary.
That is why they had invested in local government, via the local play workforce programme.
Although councillor Grant Dermody said it “feels a bit like a nanny state”.
“Is [this] the council’s role, or isn’t that the parent’s and caregiver’s role? We’ve got an abundance of parks…. There are so many spaces we’ve got in Invercargill for people to play, why is it the council’s role to get involved in a role that should be taken up by the caregivers and parents?”
Puddle said parents certainly had a role, but added that councils did as well, in terms of the four well-beings within the Local Government Act.
“The play community, I guess, whether that is scholars, advocates, researchers etc identify for a child to have a quality play experience they need the time, the space, and the permission to do those activities.”
Dermody felt that actually clarified what the role of council was, which simply was to provide the space.
While Dermody acknowledged the position was funded through taxpayer money, he also questioned whether there would be any added cost that the council would need to front with.
Puddle said his duration in the role was two years, through that funding from Sport New Zealand, and it would be up to the council whether the work continued beyond that period.
But he said the point of his work was not about creating a whole lot of new projects but instead looking at how play forms a component of existing work.
Mana whenua representative Pania Coote agreed with Dermody, pointing out there was no shortage of green space in this region.
Coote also felt it was up to whanau in how they engage with play and it was not the council’s responsibility.
Although the comments did not sit well with Cr Alex Crackett - who has also been a Active Southland board member.
“Honestly, I’ve got to say I’m a little bit disappointed with some of the comments that have been bouncing around the table.
“Some of the comments are that our traditional role is just pipes and playgrounds,” Crackett said.
“You need to consider that this is far wider wellbeing and health outcomes for families, if we can strategically look at that it’s not just parks, playgrounds and reserves and have an overarching strategy that covers participation and access.”
Later on, at the same meeting, councillors discussed both the places and spaces strategy and Donovan Park Masterplan.
Crackett again revisited the play topic when she said there were low-cost ways the council could encourage more play.
She used the example of disc golf at Queens Park as an example of that.
“What it did is give permission for people to play in a different way.”
Crackett said another suggestion had been a wharf at the pond at Donovan Park so people could use their model boats there.
“It’s really low-cost ideas out of the box that could actually give people permission to play in a different way that adds to community heart and community wellbeing. It’s those initiatives that I would love to see come out of that play strategy.”
I think Councillor Dermody should put aside his personal or national political philosophies: Council has responsibilities for social and economic health and wellbeing of city residents incorporated in strategy documents around this. And provides amenities on behalf of ratepayers - whose interest and needs he should represent first and foremost. We need him to participate and explore and promote increased non- traditional recreational uses within the public spaces of this city . Times are tough. Travel is costly. Community CONNECTION and recreation within the urban boundary is more needed than ever,
Council amenities requires strategy and creative input and review over time to reflect what his ratepayers want and need. Social recreational needs in 2024 are not those of 1984 . Council needs to listen and hear the needs of todays parents, not just say it’s up to you… The concept promoted ( it seems) by Mr Dermody that Council might build a park with green space ( or whatever) and walk away, leaving city-residents to it , (their responsibility), is not best: We gain more with council oversight as co- ordinator, innovator and provider. Especially needed in 2024 are increased non-sporting, non- traditional social -recreational facilities: There are a lot of solitary, car- less, lower- socio- economic residents. A wharf at Donovan pond , French-style low wooden tables and stools for board games in queens park, increased open-space dog-walking open within the city boundary disc golf; all are modern ideas appealing to varied age groups. Adult non- working or retired men in this city are a group not well catered for : It’s not just playgrounds for under 12s and sports fields. I will give an example of Council building a park ,then not reviewing outcomes: This being the construction of Donovan park in the 1970s , designed around vehicular access, in a narrow restricted vehicular corridor within a huge Public reserve space , with the amenities best needed there not having reviewed in fifty years. A passive pond experience, and restricted walking along or on a roadway is not best use? I hope Mr Dermody isnt one who wants to sell it off; please I hope he will participate creatively in how Donovan Park, and the cities reserve lands can be increasingly and creatively used and fostered for the health and well being of those you represent 👍. I Might be being unnecessarily hard or misinterpreted Mr Dermody , but I’m trying to advocate he please put aside reluctance and embrace enthusiasm to re-jig our city’s recreational amenities inventively, JUST AS WE’VE DONE well. in the cbd Let’s get modern and creative and collaborate all together, instead of query the very concept !!