Common Ground all powered up

12 February 2019 at 10:43 am

Community gatherings at Common Ground on the corner of Bridge Street and Estuary Road are about to get a lot quieter and sweeter smelling, thanks to a new power connection put in by Orion.

The site was home to a range of community shops that were demolished after the earthquakes. It now has a new lease on life as a community gathering spot established by the Common Ground Collaborative in 2018.

The mobile food and coffee vans serving local customers who drop in for a meal and a chat, had been powered by multiple generators.

Up to six individual generators created noise and fumes, which the Collective identified wasn’t ideal for the ambience at the site or neighbouring residents.

Orion’s donation of a power connection means the generators are no longer needed and the site is now a quieter, more pleasant place to linger. Orion partnered with Safepower Services and Nova Energy.

Orion General Manager Customer and Stakeholder, Paul Deavoll, said, ”It’s great to be able to support the South Brighton community to create a more sustainable hub for local people to get together.”

Jane Harrison - Common Ground co-ordinator, Paul Deavoll - Orion General Manager Customer & Stakeholder, and Glenn Livingstone - Burwood Ward Councillor.

Also supporting the creation of this pleasant community space, City Care donated its time and machinery to level and landscape the site.

Burwood Ward Councillor, Glenn Livingstone, said, “This site has proven a real success for the local community. It is great to see the noisy generators go, and landscaping making a real community gathering place.

“Orion and City Care’s contributions have made a big difference for a community that’s been through hard times.”