Tçnâ koe Kendra,

 

On 10 February 2026 you requested the following information under the
LGOIMA:

 

I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act
regarding the accessibility of public recreation settings (pools, gyms,
playgrounds, and parks):

1. The number of council-managed facilities that currently offer 'sensory
hours' or scheduled low-sensory environments for individuals with
neurodiverse needs.

2. Any internal policies or strategic plans that mandate 'inclusive by
design' practices (beyond basic building code compliance) for new
community projects.

3. Records of any consultations held with individuals with lived
experience of physical or intellectual disabilities regarding the design
of public digital or physical environments in the last 24 months.

 

Release of information

The number of council-managed facilities that currently offer 'sensory
hours' or scheduled low-sensory environments for individuals with
neurodiverse needs.

The Council has suggestions for quiet times to visit for all our
facilities.  These times are published on our Centres Accessibility
[1]pages. 

 

Any internal policies or strategic plans that mandate 'inclusive by
design' practices (beyond basic building code compliance) for new
community projects.

Council has its [2]Equity and Inclusion Policy, which provides a
high-level intent. The Recreation Sport and Event Unit use the NZCIC (NZ
Construction Industry Council) Guidelines for briefing consultants on the
bigger projects.  These cover things like sustainability, Mâori related
design, and accessibility, but generally only to a compliance level. We
augment this with accessibility and universal design audits given we are
working with existing rather than new facilities.  These audits take a
pragmatic approach as to what can be achieved in existing facilities.
Council also has the [3]Parks and Waterways Access Policy 2002.

 

Records of any consultations held with individuals with lived experience
of physical or intellectual disabilities regarding the design of public
digital or physical environments in the last 24 months.

We completed some early engagement in 2024 for the Draft Play Spaces
Network Plan. We had a working party for this project that included CCC’s
Inclusive Communities Advisor, Community Development Advisor (Equity,
Inclusion and Wellbeing) and the Team Leader for the Southern Centre. They
supported the development of the “How do you play” survey we used for this
project (this survey was live on our Korero Mai page for one month), as
well as shared it with their wider community. We had 6.68% of survey
respondents noting they had a disability, however 34% of people that
completed the survey identified physical and/or sensory challenges when
using CCC Play Spaces. We are withholding the records of engagement under
the following section of the LGOIMA: 7(2)(a) to protect the privacy of
natural persons.

 

For the Cross Reserve Play Space Renewal we engaged with Tçtçkura:
Ôtautahi Transition Education Centre (Tçtçkura: Ôtautahi Transition
Education Centre). We met with them on 25 March 2025 and they shared their
ideas in a workshop session.

 

There are examples of more informal engagement for projects such as a
meeting with a resident in December 2024 from Corsair Bay to discuss the
proposed layout of the carpark once it is resealed in 2026, and line
marking the carpark in the interim to provide two accessible carparks.
Another example is a meeting with a Mum in Scarborough in November 2025 to
discuss the play needs of her son who is non-verbal and autistic, while we
are yet to action anything from this meeting, staff have gained some
insights

 

The Recreation Sport and Event Unit regularly consult with the Council
Accessibility Advisory Group to support their decision-making around
accessibility issues. For example, the handrail in the Matatiki
Hydrotherapy pool. 

 

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Christchurch
City Council website a week after they have been responded to, with
requesters’ personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about
this, please contact the Official Information team on
[4][Christchurch City Council request email].

 

You have the right to request the Ombudsman to review this decision.
Complaints can be sent by email to [5][email address], by fax
to (04) 471 2254, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington
6143.

 

Nâku noa, nâ

 

Keely Shaw
Information Advisor
Te Ratonga Ture me te Manapori - Legal & Democratic Services

 

 

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References

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