Our Nelson Issue 169 – 10 May 2023

Nelson weather – how to stay informed
Nelson City Council contractors have been busy making sure our city and its roads are safe for residents following a week of consistent rain across the region.
Work to cover and waterproof exposed slips to limit erosion has been undertaken as well as regular monitoring and inspection of bridges and intakes. Council contractors have been out clearing culverts, sweeping roads and fixing minor damages as a result of the heavy rainfall.
In the event of further rain, Nelson City Council will continue to keep residents up to date across 
all of its channels, including on our website 
nelson.govt.nz and our @Nelsoncitycouncil Facebook page. To receive important updates straight to your phone, download the Antenno app.
If you require urgent assistance, please call our Customer Service Centre at 03 546 0200 (phone service available 24/7). Please make sure to call 111 in an emergency. 
You can keep up to date with the latest information by visiting the following:
@NelsonTasmanCivilDefence for important information and how to stay safe. 
@nztasouthisland for State Highway updates.
journeys.nzta.govt.nz for Highway Closures.
bit.ly/3M24aEP for Local Road Disruptions
and Closures.
metservice.com for Weather Updates 
and Warnings.
We know that weather events like these can be unsettling, please make sure to look after yourself and check in on your neighbours, friends and family.

Council land purchase to support bus hub
Nelson City Council has purchased 41 Halifax Street, adjacent to Millers Acre, for $970,000 to support the development of the new central city bus hub. 
Council voted to purchase the property at a confidential meeting on 3 April and bid at auction on the property, which has a Capital Value of $1.04 million. The sale has now settled. The commercial building on the site will be removed and the area turned into a carpark.  
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says the development of a new bus hub at Millers Acre is an important part of upgrading Nelson’s public transport and visitor services. 
“This land purchase better enables us to make it a hub for not just the Council bus service but also InterCity, tourism coaches and other operators. The extra space enables us to improve the layout of the bus hub, improve access for the adjacent businesses and provide about 26 carparks.” 
The new hub not only provides more parking than the original plan that combined the bus hub and carparking in Millers Acre, it also improves safety by separating the bus manoeuvring areas. Council will be seeking part funding from Waka Kotahi in support of the new hub.  
Mayor Nick says the upgrade of Nelson’s bus network on 1 August 2023, with more frequent services, new destinations such as Motueka and Wakefield, and an all-electric fleet, is a challenge. The new bus hub will further improve the service. 
Council staff will be working with adjacent businesses and bus operators to refine the design. It is hoped that  construction can begin in 2024 for completion in 2025. 
“This is an exciting project to provide a vibrant transport and tourism hub at Millers Acre with the bus interchange, the updated DOC information centre and bike rental business. I am also wanting Council to consider a combined bus ticketing office and replacement i-SITE for the site,” Mayor Nick says. 
“The purchase of this property for parking reflects my approach to transport of working to improve all modes of transport. It is not about buses or bikes or cars but improving the infrastructure to create a more vibrant city and support more transport choices.”

Rating Information Database available for public use
Council's Rating Information Database is available for inspection (without fee) at the Customer Service Centre in Civic House at 110 Trafalgar Street during office hours (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm and Wednesday 9:00am to 5:00pm).
The database can also be accessed via the Council's website. Simply look up our property rates search and then enter the property street address to view the current year's rating information.
The public can also view the properties rating charges and information for the 2023/24 rating year.
The Rating Information Database contains a record of all information required for the setting and assessing of rates and informing ratepayers.
Sunshine for a rainy day: Solar power facility investigated for Bell Island Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit (NRSBU) is investigating the feasibility of a large-scale solar facility on Bell Island, beside the wastewater treatment plant, that will reduce the plant's energy costs and potentially provide energy to the wider Nelson Tasman region.
In 2021, the NRSBU sought expressions of interest for installation of a solar power system on Bell Island to supply power directly to the wastewater treatment plant as part of a plan to reduce carbon emissions and improve the plant’s resilience.
The successful bid came from New Zealand-based renewable energy firm Infratec New Zealand.
“With many regional communities in the North Island losing power during Cyclone Gabrielle, it’s clear we need to look at ways to make sure our core infrastructure has a secure power supply,” says Chairperson of the NRSBU Councillor Kit Maling.
“With a solar facility on Bell Island, we can help reduce greenhouse gases associated with the electricity that the plant uses. Also, if we can go ahead, the cost savings will be significant over the expected life of the treatment plant.”
The agreement with Infratec provides for construction of a plant capable of producing approximately 15 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
The NRSBU will also benefit from Green Credits for the electricity used from the plant. The agreement does not require any capital expenditure on behalf of the region’s ratepayers.
“One of the factors we liked about Infratec’s proposal is that the facility’s capacity is likely to be more than 10 times the consumption of the treatment plant – meaning the asset will actually provide a significant power supply for the wider Nelson Tasman region,” says Deputy Chair of the NRSBU Councillor Tim Skinner.
“It’s early days, but this could be a clean and sustainable option for power for households in our region.”
Infratec is very excited to be working with the NRSBU on this project and applauded its innovative approach to developing the site.   
“There will be many benefits from the project for the larger Nelson / Tasman region, including increased energy resilience and security, as well as financial benefit to the local ratepayers,” says Infratec CEO Grant Smith.
“It’s great to see NRSBU leading the initiative to develop infrastructure that is well suited to solar power, ensuring our communities can benefit from New Zealand’s decarbonisation opportunities while improving local energy supply and resilience.” 
Depending on the outcomes of the feasibility investigation, construction of the plant is expected to start in 2025.
The NRSBU is a joint committee of Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council. It operates the Nelson Regional Sewerage Scheme on behalf of NCC and TDC.
Infratec New Zealand is a low carbon energy solutions provider with activities in New Zealand and the Pacific/ASEAN regions.

Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce offers support to entrepreneurs in their prime
The Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce (NTCC) is excited to announce the launch of a Senior Entrepreneurship Programme called Primetime, which is aimed at empowering and supporting entrepreneurs aged 50 and above who are looking to start or scale their business ventures.
The Chamber has been selected by the Office for Seniors together with four organisations to run a 12-month pilot set to start in June 2023.  
This unique programme will provide older entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to turn their business ideas into reality, including:
One-on-one mentorship from experienced 
business leaders
Access to a network of successful entrepreneurs and industry experts
Educational resources and training sessions on topics such as marketing, finance, and business planning
Connection to local business organisations through the NTCC
Project Manager Stephen Broad-Paul says the Chamber is looking forward to helping entrepreneurs “bring their ideas to life.”
“We recognise the incredible value and experience that senior entrepreneurs bring to the table, and we believe that age should not be a barrier to entrepreneurship. That's why we've opted to become involved in this programme to provide the support and resources that entrepreneurs in their prime need to succeed.”
Expressions of interest for the Primetime programme are now open, and interested entrepreneurs can apply online at primetime.org.nz.

Traffic and Parking Bylaw 
Submissions are now open
You can now make a submission on the draft Traffic and Parking Bylaw.
Visit shape.nelson.govt.nz to read more about the proposed changes or to make a submission. Consultation closes 2 June 2023.

Meetings
The following meetings of the 
Nelson City Council have been scheduled. 
Council - to hear submissions to draft Annual Plan 2023/24 (if required)
9am each day	11 and 12 May
Hearing Panel
1pm	18 May
Chief Executive Employment Committee - Mayor's Office, Floor 2B, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
2pm	19 May
Joint Shareholders Committee - Tasman District Council Chamber, 189 Queen Street, Richmond
9am	22 May
Council - to deliberate on submissions to draft Annual Plan 2023/24
9am each day	25 and 26 May

Changes to meeting
Nelson Tasman Regional Landfill Business Unit - previously advertised to commence at 10.30am
2.30pm	19 May

For a full list of Council meetings go to:
nelson.govt.nz/meetings