The NZ AIDS Foundation Trust Board has decided to allocate additional funds to retain community outreach and testing services in Auckland's Karangahape Road area, following the move of the Burnett Centre in early 2008. LGBT nightclub Family, gay men's bar Urge and several LGBT-themed dance parties and gay-friendly venues are located on or near K' Road, and the construction of affordable apartment blocks in the area have seen a large number of young LGBT people move into or close to "gay K' Road". The street is also home to the Rainbow Youth drop-in centre. "Karangahape Rd is an important area for us to retain core services," confirms NZAF Board Chair Jeremy Lambert. "The move of the Burnett Centre [currently located only a block away from K' Road] to Hargreaves Street [in nearby College Hill] will benefit some service users. However, our communities are diverse and for some, especially young people, being able to access outreach and testing services in the K' Rodd area has some distinct advantages." The Board decision follows a lengthy community consultation process about the possible location of the Burnett Centre. In the Board's view, Lambert says, the key message from the consultation was the need to provide a diverse range of services that reflect the complex challenge of preventing HIV infection and supporting HIV positive people. "Unfortunately, I believe the debate became a little too narrow in focus. It is this Board's view that we should be providing services to as many people who are in need as possible. "These decisions come with a cost and this Board has decided that any additional costs associated with this decision will be funded from the organisation's reserve funds." The Board has also encouraged staff to develop creative initiatives to maintain a long-term HIV prevention and education presence in the K' Road area. Amongst other decisions made at the Board's 3 November meeting were the formal adoption of the new NZAF Trust Deed and further progress on the purchase of the Hargreaves Street building where the new Burnett Centre will be housed.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Friday, 16th November 2007 - 3:09pm