Painters busy out west

Homes in Bishopdale and Bryndwr have had a refresh.

The Flawless Finishes team have painted the exterior of homes at Veronica Place.

It’s all part of the first stage of a progressive plan to repaint the exterior of hundreds of ŌCHT managed properties.

People living at Jennifer Street, Manor Place and Torquay Place say they’re pleased with the crisp, clean new look and thank the contractors for their hard work.

They’ve been working hard all over Christchurch. More than 150 homes at seven communities will be refreshed before winter and there’ll be more when the new painting season starts in spring.

At Manor Place this week, resident Arohoa was only too pleased to take project coordinator Steve through to her back garden, to take a quick look at her freshly painted home.

Aroha, here with grandson Te Karauna, say the painters did an amazing job at Manor Place.

“They’ve done an amazing job, thank you,” Aroha says as wide-eyed 18-month-old grandson Te Karauna looks curiously at whatever his nan’s pointing at.

“It looks great and it gives a real lift to the place and to us, too.”

Aroha says the residents were grateful to have had a hand in selecting the colours from options ŌCHT was provided by the property owner, the Christchurch City Council.

Colour can affect peoples’ sense of wellbeing, and residents were pleased to get a paint job that might positively impact people with anxiety or depression, she says.

Post paint job, Jennifer Street homes are crisp and protected from the elements.

Nearby, resident and former nurse Glenys is busy carefully wiping-down a shared washing line, just-to-be sure high touch points couldn’t become vectors for Covid-19.

She takes a break to thank Steve and the painting team for how the project was delivered.

There’s no question the colour scheme lifted spirits and the community’s sense of connection with the decisions that affect where they live, she says.

“Oh, the painting is really good, really nice, and we’re just so happy that we had the chance to help pick the colours.

Veronica Place looks great with refreshed roofs and exteriors.

“It’s our home, we need to live with it, so that was great.

“Thank you for all the work you do for us. It really is appreciated.”

A short stroll away at Jennifer Street, resident Michael says the painters were friendly and courteous as they tackled a “pretty big job”.

“They’ve done a great job. It’s made a big difference.”

Flawless Finishes painter Terrence gest ready to paint another home at Veronica Place.

Inviting Steve into his home, he notes a few jobs he’d like done as contractors continued installing a new tub in his bathroom/laundry.

Michael moved there soon after the 2010 earthquakes. He enjoys living alongside friendly and supportive neighbours – and he loves the heat pump installed as part of the Warm and Dry programme.

“You wouldn’t believe the difference. You’re warm straight away, not waiting an hour for the old heater to heat up.

“And I halved my electricity bill last winter. Halved. It’s the greatest thing to happen, it’s good improvements are being made.”

Contractors Flawless Finishes, A1 Decorators, GMC Painters, Enviropaint and Finesse Painters have been painting communities this painting season.

The full list for the season is Jennifer/Manor/Torquay, Forfar Courts, Concord Place, Tyrone Street, Cedar Courts, Thurso Place, Knightsbridge Lane, Pickering Courts, Halswell Courts and Veronica Place.

ŌCHT manages major maintenance works at the Christchurch City Council-owned properties it leases from the council. The council funds this work.