Mental health housing battle rages on
Weedons's residents angered about Richmond New Zealand Trust's plans to house six clients in the community.
The Weedons community is asking for a cast iron guarantee for transparency over a controversial house being set up in the town for mental health patients.
More than 70 residents attended a vocal meeting last week to discuss mental health provider Richmond New Zealand's plans to house six clients on Madison Rd.
Richmond New Zealand refused to say whether or not sex offenders or people with convictions would be housed at the property.
Residents said they were having to play the waiting game while the council decided whether to approve the building consent.
The residents had raised concerns with the Selwyn Community Board and would be making a presentation to The Selwyn District Council tomorrow.
The application was on hold while the council sought clarification on the use of the land.
Resident John McKim wanted assurances from the council that they "ticked all the boxes" and passed on relevant information to the community.
"We want everything done so it's absolutely transparent."
Residents said their fears were valid because of a history of sex offenders being placed in their community without warning.
Convicted sex offender Christopher Truscott was housed at the same Madison Rd property for a number of years. The intellectually impaired and HIV positive Truscott often hit headlines for escaping from his supervised accommodation and heading to public toilets in Hagley Park seeking more sexual encounters.
More than 70 residents attended a vocal meeting last week to discuss mental health provider Richmond New Zealand's plans to house six clients on Madison Rd.
Richmond New Zealand refused to say whether or not sex offenders or people with convictions would be housed at the property.
Residents said they were having to play the waiting game while the council decided whether to approve the building consent.
The residents had raised concerns with the Selwyn Community Board and would be making a presentation to The Selwyn District Council tomorrow.
The application was on hold while the council sought clarification on the use of the land.
Resident John McKim wanted assurances from the council that they "ticked all the boxes" and passed on relevant information to the community.
"We want everything done so it's absolutely transparent."
Residents said their fears were valid because of a history of sex offenders being placed in their community without warning.
Convicted sex offender Christopher Truscott was housed at the same Madison Rd property for a number of years. The intellectually impaired and HIV positive Truscott often hit headlines for escaping from his supervised accommodation and heading to public toilets in Hagley Park seeking more sexual encounters.
Weedons resident Karen Earl had seen various inhabitants come into the area.
She had often watched clients leave the property and then supervisors go looking for them 10 minutes later. "It's just a joke."
A Richmond client had to be moved out of the area in the past after he kept appearing naked in a neighbour's spa pool.
She wanted Richmond to guarantee that the property would be adequately supervised.
She said not only should the community feel safe but the clients needed to be housed in a safe environment.
She had often watched clients leave the property and then supervisors go looking for them 10 minutes later. "It's just a joke."
A Richmond client had to be moved out of the area in the past after he kept appearing naked in a neighbour's spa pool.
She wanted Richmond to guarantee that the property would be adequately supervised.
She said not only should the community feel safe but the clients needed to be housed in a safe environment.
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