Protest against probation centre

NOT WANTED: Over 100 people gathered at lunchtime to protest plans for a new probation centre.

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More than 100 people of all ages gathered for a lunchtime demonstration, demanding a resource consent given for a planned probation centre in their neighbourhood be cancelled.

Organsied by the Move Over Probation group, the protest was held outside the Ensors Road site.

Speeches during the one-hour event were constantly interrupted by supportive tooting of horns from passing vehicles.

Group chairwoman Vivienne Yeki said the community had been lied to by the Department of Corrections who had failed to consult over its plans for what would be the South island's largest probation centre.

"This is just so unfair, so unjust. They (the department) have been indescribably rude,'' she said.

Others who spoke included former long-time council staff member Dave Adamson, councillor Yani Johanson and Hagley-Ferrymead Community Board chairman Bob Todd.

Just after the protest, the Christchurch City Council confirmed a hearings panel this Friday would be asked to appoint a commissioner to review the resource consent process.

This review would start on April 26.

- © Fairfax NZ News