Our Nelson Issue 150 – 27 July 2022

No longer just a pipe dream
Big enough for a fully-grown adult to run through and 372m long, work to install a new stormwater pipe on Waimea Road/Rutherford Street is underway. 
Preparing our City for a future where we expect to see more people living in or close to our City Centre and increases in heavy rain events due to climate change is one of Council’s key priorities. That’s why we are also taking the opportunity to upgrade wastewater and water supply pipes at the same time. 
“In 2011, we saw first-hand the disruption caused by extreme flooding in this area, and that’s not something we want to see repeated,” says Infrastructure Committee Chair Brian McGurk. 
Part of an infrastructure budget of almost $496m in the 2021-31 Long Term Plan, this is the second stage of a project that kicked off in 2018. This part of the project extends the stormwater pipe further along Rutherford Street. 
“This is a substantially complex project that will take months to complete. We are working to minimise traffic, but I’d recommend taking an alternative route into town if you can, taking the bike, or walking.
“Police and Fulton Hogan staff have been out an about during the first week, ensuring through traffic and parents dropping kids of at Hampden Street School are all safe. Please drive slowly through the detour, look out for pedestrians and cyclists, and follow all the signage.” 
Council’s Climate Change Manager Rachel Pemberton says this work is a vital part of Nelson’s preparation for climate change.
“We are already seeing an increased amount of heavy rain events, and we expect them to become even more common. Forward-thinking cities are investing in infrastructure improvements that will help them meet this extra demand on their water network.
“Doing this work now will put us in a good place when it comes to managing extreme weather events.”
Alongside the stormwater pipe, new wastewater and water supply pipes will cater to an expected increase in housing development in this catchment area.
“Housing is a big priority for this Council, and one of the ways in which we can create an environment where housing supply can increase, and affordability can improve, is to provide better infrastructure,” says Councillor McGurk.
“Feedback to our Long Term Plan and the latest Future Development Strategy showed how important intensification is to our community as we work to meet demand for housing in the coming years.
“More people living near our City Centre also has the benefit of increasing the amount of travel we’d expect to see people do on bike or walking, with a knock-on effect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to transport.”
What’s happening in Phase 1? 
Traffic Management has been implemented to allow closure of Waimea Road from Van Diemen Street through to Rutherford Street, and a section of Rutherford Street has been reduced to a single lane travelling south.
For traffic travelling north along Waimea Road, a detour will need to be followed around Van Diemen Street, Rutherford Street and Wellington Street. For traffic travelling south, you will continue along Rutherford Street and back onto Van Diemen Street before joining back to Waimea Road.
The two main construction crews have begun the project. Each of these crews has brought large excavators, trucks and pipe material to carry out the following work:
Rutherford Street: 
Installation of a large stormwater chamber at the Examiner/Rutherford intersection, into which the stormwater pipe we are installing will connect.
Begin installation of wastewater and water pipe lines on the western side of Rutherford Street.
Waimea Road:
Installation of the stormwater pipe starting at the Rutherford Street intersection.
Water supply pipe installation on the western side of Waimea Road will also begin to take place.

We’re open for business! 
All businesses in the area remain open for the duration of the project, so please don’t be scared of the cones or our workers – they’re there to make sure you get to your destination safely. Signage will be placed around the site to direct foot traffic and motorists. Parking is available along the detour route and near the road closure. 
Here’s a full list of the businesses near the work site: 
DentalCare Nelson 
Century Park Motor Lodge Nelson 
The Car Company Nelson 
Chelsea Park Motor Lodge 
Rustic Cuisine 
Earthbloom Flowerstore 
Clipper & Scissors 
Villarosa Maison* 
Rutherford Street Kindergarten 
Admirals Motor Inn 
The Hotel Nelson 
Flames on Forty 
The Nelson Clinic 
Tima Health 
Titoki Medical 
Nelson Orthodontics 
Grant Hunt Building Consultants 
Challenge Gourdie Automotive 
*Villarosa Maison customers should note that this business has a new address: 63 Montgomery Square (next to Benge & Co.). 

Getting a 1.8m pipe into the ground is a pretty big job! 
How big you ask?
Big enough for a person – unless you happen to play for the Nelson Giants! – to stand upright. To get a sense of just how big this pipe is, check out the graphic below:

Average Heights: 
Adult man: 1.77m, Cow: 1.4m, Labrador: 62cm, Weka: 50cm long

Pop-in to the Pop-Up 
A part of Nelson’s central library has reopened as a smaller Pop-Up Library. 
Strengthening work has been completed for two sections of the Elma Turner Library, allowing library staff to open part of the building as a Pop-Up Library. 
Entrance to the Pop-Up is through the rear door, which opens onto the artificial grass in the youth pop-up park. Some of the fencing around the children's play area in the park has been removed to improve access.
The Pop-Up Library is small but mighty. Visitors will be able to: 
Pick up holds
Browse and borrow from more of the library collection
Read the newspaper
Use a computer, printer, scanner or photocopier, and 
Speak to a librarian 
Libraries’ Team Leader Nicola Harwood says the great thing about a Pop-Up within the existing library is the familiar space for customers, minimal movement of books required, and the great IT system set-up.
“Library staff have really missed daily interactions with the public, and we are really happy we’ve been able to open part of Elma Turner Library again within just two months of its closure.”
Strengthening the rest of Elma Turner Library
The remainder of Elma Turner Library remains closed. A limited-scope Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) report has shown there are heavy ceiling tiles widespread throughout the building, and the ceiling grid itself in parts of the building is under 34% NBS (New Building Standard). 
Urgent remedial work was undertaken in the Pop-Up area to bring this area up to 67% NBS. Similar options will be considered for the rest of the building. Timeframes for completing future work are not yet known.
You can read the full DSA report, and find more information about the library on the Nelson Public Libraries website: nelsonpubliclibraries.co.nz

Get to know the new Pop-Up Library 
When and where can I visit the Pop-Up? 
The Pop-Up Library is in the Elma Turner Library, 27 Halifax Street. Enter through the rear door facing the riverside Youth Pop-Up Park.  
It will be open the normal Elma Turner Library hours: 
9:30am-6:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 
10:00am-6:00pm Wednesday 
10:00am-4:00pm Saturday  
1:00pm-4:00pm Sunday  
The Pop-Up Library entrance has artificial grass and a narrower entrance. Large mobility scooters and wide buggies will not fit inside. There is a wheelchair available for customers who need to leave mobility scooters outside. Please call the library if you have questions or want to discuss accessibility: 03 546 8100. 
What about library programmes? 
Several of our regular programmes (e.g. bookchat, knitting groups, Tea & Talk) have relocated and will continue to be run in their new locations. Our Device Advice and Book a Librarian sessions will be at the Pop-Up Library. You can keep up to date on the Nelson Public Libraries website. 
Will the other library branches still have extended hours?
The Nightingale Library Memorial hours will remain extended after the Pop-Up opens. The Stoke Library hours will return to normal. The Nelson Public Libraries website has the most up-to-date hours for all three libraries.
Are holds still free?
Yes. You can request specific items and place a hold through the online catalogue. Holds are free while much of Elma Turner Library remains closed.
Can we still use the blue blocks in the playground?
No, sorry. The area of the playground with the blue blocks has become the entrance of the Pop-Up Library and needs to remain clear. We have also removed some of the fencing around the children’s area to improve library accessibility. Unfortunately, this means there is no suitable space for the blue blocks at the Pop-Up Library.
How can I ask a question, or speak to a librarian? 
To contact the library, email 
library@ncc.govt.nz or call 03 546 8100.

Nelson Climate Adaptation: Have your say on how we can build a climate resilient future 
It has been fantastic to see community members who have braved the wet weather and participated in our series of climate change adaptation workshops over the past month. We’ve heard from many of you about how important it is to be able to access beaches and the sea for recreation, and that you care about protecting native species and wāhi tapu (sacred places). We’ve also heard that it is important you live in a safe and secure property, with access to critical infrastructure.
If you haven’t yet tuned in to a Nelson Climate Adaptation webinar or partipated in a workshop – it’s not too late to have your say. 
We want to hear what you value most about living near the coast and Maitai River, and what you see as being important to achieve through our response to climate change. 
To inform planning, we also want to hear your thoughts on the range of possible adaptation options available to us. For example, protecting our coast and rivers through dune restoration and planting, or enabling the gradual retreat of people and property to safer ground.
To help inform the conversation, Council has put together up-to-date information and visual tools that show the projected impacts of climate change for Whakatū Nelson, including the latest 3D maps.
The final webinar of the series will be held on Thursday 28 July (6-7pm), and the online feedback form is open until 14 August. 
To access the interactive tools, sign up to the last webinar, and fill in the feedback form, go to: shape.nelson.govt.nz/climate-adaptation. 
Thank you for getting involved!
Maggie Fellowes, 
Climate Change Advisor, Nelson City Council

Councillors Comment – Pete Rainey 
Change is coming
Serving as a councillor is one of the most rewarding things anyone can do. 
That so many of my fellow councillors have announced they are stepping down speaks volumes regarding the challenges we are currently facing. 
This doesn’t come as a surprise, as we have all faced huge changes.
The pandemic, climate change and its effects, war in Europe, and soaring inflation and the impact it has on the cost of living, all have a material effect on the wellbeing of the population at large.
Local government is no exception. Coupled with all these factors, elected members and staff are facing dramatic change in the way our water infrastructure is managed and how resource management is undertaken, topped off by a review of local government itself.
It’s fundamental to good governance of this city that we strive to reach decisions in a safe and collegial environment. When that doesn’t happen, the mental health and wellbeing of the people we elect to govern our city takes a hit.
Changes are coming to our council table. All those standing for Council and the Mayoralty should reflect on this and keep this issue paramount in their minds. 
It’s not what you say but what you do that can make a fundamental difference in this regard.

Resource consent processing delays 
Nelson City Council’s resource consents team is receiving a steady demand for resource consent applications, and currently demand is outpacing delivery as we, like other areas of the country, are facing staffing issues. 
These issues include a nationwide shortage of experienced and qualified planning staff as well as unprecedented illness due to COVID-19. 
This means we now have a waiting list for allocating resource consents to a planner. We also wanted to let you know that we may not be able to process consents within the timeframes identified in the Resource Management Act (RMA). Please note the current situation will also impact the timeframe for replies to general queries and non-urgent matters.
We have engaged consultant planners to assist with processing and are putting in place a training programme to allow us to hire less-experienced planners and grow them into the role. All of this will help with our capacity, but there are no easy or quick solutions. For example, consultants are also at capacity at the moment, so our ability to contract in help is diminished. 
What you can do to help the processing of your application
Customers with strict deadlines they need to meet for their resource consents are asked to let Council know when submitting their applications so Council staff can do their utmost to meet them. 
There are also things you can do to help streamline your resource consent application:
Ensure you have all the required information before you submit your application.
Apply early – at least three months prior to starting the work. Normally applicants have five years between receiving a resource consent decision and having to carry out the activity before the consent lapses, so apply well in advance to avoid tight timeframes. 
We appreciate delays with consents can impact timelines for your project, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these issues. 

Get into the Music Mix!
Explore the universe of music with free interactive events. This is not a concert series, the audience is encouraged to sing, play music, and interact with the musicians.
All ages welcome. Join us at the Victory Community Centre, 2 Totara Street, from 11am-12pm on the following dates:
Saturday 30 July, with Colette and bucket drumming 
Saturday 13 August, a variety performance from Boys College 
Saturday 27 August, with Liam Poole 
Saturday 10 September, with Manjit Singh
Brought to you by Nelson City Council, the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, Multicultural Nelson Tasman, the Rātā Foundation, and Pomeroy’s Café.

Local Arts Funding available for Nelson arts projects
Applications are now open for Nelson City Creative Communities Scheme grants. 
Funding is available for arts projects starting after 1 October 2022 that provide benefits within Nelson City wards. The funding is provided by Creative New Zealand and administered by Arts Council Nelson to support projects in the Nelson City Council area. 
The closing date for applications is 1 September 2022. Application forms along with guidelines in 11 languages are available on the Arts Council Nelson website: acn.org.nz/funding.
If you have any questions, please contact Lloyd Harwood on 548 4640 or email artscouncilnsn@gmail.com.

Councillors Comment – Rachel Sanson
Change makers welcome
Elections this year signal an opportunity to elect a diverse team of future-thinking, collaboratively minded change makers – people who hold space for a range of perspectives, value inclusion, uplift and support each other, and lead great outcomes for our community.
Council’s mandate is so much more than pipes, pavement and parks.
The wonderful Vote Local 2022 campaign highlights the need for people representing diversity of all forms and lived experiences. People who will guide and advocate for fair and inclusive access to secure affordable housing, healthy food, meaningful living-wage-or-better work, arts and recreational opportunities, safe and accessible active and public transport; who’ll prioritise climate change leadership and embrace Māori representation and partnership; who’ll have a view to fiscal and fiduciary responsibility, regenerate our environment and, above all, focus on ensuring a thriving future for our children and grandchildren – on being a good ancestor.
If this sounds like you or someone you know, please consider stepping up – it’s a challenging role, with significant impact on community outcomes, and the opportunity (and privilege) to connect deeply with, and serve, the community we love.
With only about 42% voter turnout for local elections nationally, more voices and votes are needed to strengthen democratic representation. Please urge everyone you know to enrol and vote: shape.nelson.govt.nz/local-elections-2022

Nelsonians getting behind e-cycling 
Whakatū Nelson residents are going from strength to strength with responsible diversion of e-waste from landfill on the increase. In the past year, our approved e-cycler, Nelson Environment Centre, is proud to report that 37,416 kgs of electronic waste have been redirected.
Both Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council are making it easier for people to recycle e-waste by moving from a yearly household or business subsidy to a direct grant to approved e-waste recyclers, to bring the cost of recycling down at source. This means residents will no longer have to claim a subsidy and the cost of e-cycling is reduced – for example, the cost of recycling a small appliance will drop from $10 to $5, and a desktop/laptop will drop from $15 to $5. Household battery disposal remains free of charge, with drop-offs across the region including the Nelson Environment Centre and Waste Recovery Centre. 
To find out more go to: nelson.govt.nz/e-waste-recycling

Local Elections 2022–find your voting ward 
Not sure what ward you’re in for the upcoming local election? Use our interactive map tool to find out. 
Head to nelson.govt.nz and search 'ward boundaries map'. Simply type your address into the search bar to see your voting ward and to view ward boundaries.  
If you are enrolled on the Māori Electoral Roll, your ward will be the Whakatū Māori Ward, no matter where you live in Nelson. You will be able to vote for the Mayor, one Māori ward councillor and three “at large” councillors.  
For those on the General Roll, your ward will either be the Central Ward or the Stoke-Tāhunanui Ward. You will be able to vote for the Mayor, four general ward councillors in your area, and three “at large” councillors.
For more information on the upcoming local election, visit: shape.nelson.govt.nz/local-elections-2022

Conewatch
Completed
Project name		
Haven Road Stormwater Realignment 	Completed May 2022	
Residential Meters Renewal 	Completed	

Ongoing
Project name	End date 
(if known)	Location	Benefit	
Saxton Creek Upgrade Stage 4	End of July 2023	Main Road, Stoke	Flood mitigation	
Washington Valley Infrastructure Upgrade – Stage 1 (Hastings Street) 	March 2023	Hasting Street	Improve stormwater network capacity and protect environment from overflows	
Awatea Place Wastewater Pump Station	December 2022	Awatea Place & Parkers Road	Improve wastewater network capacity and protect environment from overflows	
Isel Park bridge replacement	July 2022	Isel Park	Upgrading the old bridge and adjacent paths 	
Te Pā Harakeke	From September 2022 / exact date TBC	Tahunanui Reserve	New community playground and reserve area	
Cawthron Crescent Stormwater 	From June 2022 / TBC 	Properties # 1 to 10, Cawthron Crescent, Stoke 	Investigation work for stormwater pipe upgrade 	
Centennial Park Pump Station Upgrade	September 2022	Centennial Road	Installing downstream defender to clean water pumped to Modellers Pond Redevelopment 	
Wastney Terrace Stormwater Upgrade	December 2022 	Atawhai Crescent (Corder Pond) via private property to Wastney Terrace	Improve stormwater network capacity and reduce flooding risk	

Pre-election report to encourage informed debate
Primarily for anyone considering standing for local council, the Nelson City Council pre-election report provides important information on the issues Nelson and Council are likely to face over the coming years. 
With the nomination period now open and voting beginning in September, the report is intended to encourage discussion and informed debate over the next few months. 
Nelson City Council Chief Executive Pat Dougherty says it’s important all candidates and the wider community have access to this key information as the city and Council continue to respond to many changes and challenges.  
“Over the last term of the Council, we have all faced extraordinary challenges from COVID-19. The new data on climate change and central government's major programme of legislative reform will mean the next term of Council is no less challenging. 
“Council will play a vital role in responding to these challenges by working closely alongside the community to respond to change and make Nelson an even better place.”
The report outlines Council’s delivery of the vision of Nelson, A Smart Little City – He Tāone Tōrire a Whakatū. It also provides an overview of the current position and future direction of Council, including its financial position and planned spending.
The report highlights the major projects and initiatives planned over the next term and the significant challenges and opportunities Nelson and Council are likely to encounter, such as:
Responding to climate change.
Supporting Nelson’s recovery from economic and social impacts of COVID and the associated disruptions.
Planning for growth and our changing demographic make-up.
Managing funding pressures by balancing rates affordability with delivering services that meet community expectations and projected growth, while continuing to invest in necessary infrastructure.
Preparing for significant reform, changes to legislation, and new requirements so that a regional perspective is considered in central government decision making and benefits for Nelson are achieved.
“On behalf of Nelson City Council, I encourage those considering standing for election to read the report. The information provided can help prioritise issues and facilitate productive debate about how we best move forward as a community. 
“I also encourage our community to look at the report as these issues affect all of us, and it is important to know what the next leaders of our city will have to focus on. 
“Finally, I hope everyone will get out and vote this September. This is an important opportunity to help decide who will guide our city through these challenges over the next three years.”
The election runs between 16 September and 8 October 2022. Council urges those interested in standing in this year’s election to submit their nomination forms prior to nominations closing at midday 12 August 2022.
To read the report, go to: nelson.govt.nz/pre-election-report

Pest Patrol
Pest Patrol is dedicated to lesser-known biosecurity threats and how you at home as citizen scientists can help us to spot them.
Nelson City Council is regularly profiling weeds and other nasties that we would like you to keep on the lookout for – pests that have yet to become fully established in our region that we want to nip in the bud before they spread and become large-scale problems.
Queensland poplar (Homalanthus populifolius)
Queensland poplar is a small and attractive tree from Queensland, Australia, that grows well here despite the colder climate. This pest is likely to be found in urban gardens. It’s a “sustained control” pest in the Regional Pest Management Plan which means it requires removal. Council’s biosecurity team is working to reduce the impacts of this pest and slow its spread to other properties in the region.
Queensland poplar grow rapidly up to about 5m tall and are prolific producers of seed which is readily dispersed by birds. They can form dense stands in the open and are also shade tolerant which means it can invade and dominate the subcanopy of forested areas.
The purple-green coloured heart-shaped leaf is distinctive. Pale flower spikes rise above the leaves in spring and small clusters of hard round fruit hang below the leaves. To be sure of identification, the fruit have two lobes and a little set of ‘antennae’ on the bottom.
This tree has self-dispersed through parts of Nelson central and The Wood, regularly turning up in residential gardens. There are a few trees known out towards Atawhai and Dodson Valley, but it may be established elsewhere. It is fairly easy to spot while it is in urban areas, and the biosecurity team is working hard to get on top of it before it spreads into natural areas where it would be much more difficult to locate and control.
Please remove any Queensland poplar you have on your property and report the locations to help us track down others nearby. Applying a herbicide gel to the freshly cut stump will prevent regrowth.
If you think you have seen this plant in your neighbourhood, please call the Council office on 03 546 0200, or drop an email to biosecurity@ncc.govt.nz and an officer will call you back. Snapping some pictures of the plant in question is often a great help.

‘Out and About—On Tracks’ Strategy gets approval 
The reviewed On Tracks Strategy was endorsed at a meeting of Nelson City Council on Tuesday 12 July.
First developed in 2016, this second iteration of the Strategy will guide Council, its partners, stakeholders and the community on the planning and provision of front country off-road recreation in Nelson City over the next six years. 
The focus of the 2022 Strategy is on the primary users of front country tracks–walkers and hikers, off-road runners, cycle trail riders and mountain bikers. Users include people with disabilities, those walking dogs, and walking with baby buggies. 
One outcome of the 2022 Strategy will see the Grampians Reserve become pedestrian-only (bikes will still be permitted on the summit road and access to the Tasman Bay lookout). This change will occur once signage in the area has been updated.
A Track Advisory Group consisting of representatives from Council, Ngāti Koata, and other key stakeholders will be established to oversee the implementation of the Strategy.  
Council would like to thank everyone who submitted on the Strategy during the engagement phase–your feedback has helped shape it into its final form.  
You can read the final Strategy by visiting our website and searching “On Tracks Strategy”.
Meetings
All meetings through at least 4 Aug will be held via Zoom.
Strategic Development and Property Subcommittee
9am	28 Jul
Council meeting
1pm	28 Jul
Saxton Field Committee - Boardroom, Sports House, 142 Saxton Road East, Saxton Field Complex
9.30am	3 Aug
Infrastructure Committee
9am	4 Aug
Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee
9am	9 Aug
Council meeting
9am	11 Aug
Environment and Climate Committee
11.30am	11 Aug
Urban Development Subcommittee
9am	16 Aug
Tenders Subcommittee
1.30pm	16 Aug
Community and Recreation Committee
9am	18 Aug
Joint Shareholders Committee, Tasman District Council Chamber, 189 Queen Street, Richmond
9.30am	23 Aug
Audit, Risk and Finance Subcommittee
1pm	23 Aug
Council meeting
9am	25 Aug
Joint Committee of Tasman District and Nelson City Councils
9.30am	29 Aug
Strategic Development and Property Subcommittee
9am	30 Aug
Hearings Panel - Other
9am	31 Aug

Three Waters: Council sends submission informed by community feedback
Key themes such as local governance, local ownership, and protection against privatisation are included in Nelson City Council’s draft submission on the Water Services Entities Bill, conditionally approved at a full meeting of Council on Tuesday, 12 July.
The submission, informed by feedback from the Nelson community, outlines changes to the Bill that Council would like to see occur before it is passed into law. Elected members gave their approval subject to dialogue with iwi and Marlborough District Council on either remaining in Entity C, or potentially moving to Entity D, and for the details of that discussion to be included in the submission.
“Since the decision to mandate Three Waters reform was made by central government, we have said we will work constructively in a democratic way to ensure that reform works for our community,” says Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese.
“We’ve listened carefully to the feedback we received and endeavoured to ensure our submission reflects that. For instance, we noted strong support for ensuring work programmes were fairly balanced across each region
in an entity, and we have noted in our submission the importance of that as a clear priority for Nelson.
“Many submitters were concerned about ensuring local representation, so we have also proposed that people appointed to boards responsible for water delivery must have an understanding of the needs of rural, provincial and metro water services users throughout our region.
“I think it is important to note the depth of Council’s submission. There were more than 200 parts to the Bill, and Council has provided feedback on most of these. Timelines from central government for submissions were extremely tight but we managed to hear from the community and prepare a thorough submission.”
Nelsonians had the opportunity to respond to a survey through Shape Nelson, asking people to rank the suitability of key parts of the Bill, but were also able to leave general feedback. There has also been a series of public forums.
People were also encouraged to submit directly to the Select Committee on the Bill.
Council received over 100 items of feedback, and just under 20 people spoke at the public forum sessions. The sentiment of responders towards Three Waters reforms was largely negative, with 87% of people stating clear opposition, and 13% expressing support.
As well as using this feedback to inform its own submission, which will be made publicly available as part of the Select Committee process, Council will send all public feedback received to Parliament.
Summary of feedback:
Local ownership – (30% of respondents commented on this topic)
Local ownership was the main area of concern raised in the feedback. Submitters were concerned about losing ownership of the Three Waters assets that had been paid for by local ratepayers. A major part of this concern was that a larger entity would not focus on meeting the needs of a growing and changing Nelson City. 
Local accountability – (21% of respondents commented on this topic)
Submitters stated their concerns around not having local elected member/s accountable for the Three Waters networks. By moving to the proposed structure, Nelson residents would have a reduced ability to influence or be able to hold the governance accountable for their decisions.
Proportional representation – (17% of respondents commented on this topic)
A number of submitters highlighted their belief that the governance should be proportionally representative, with mana whenua not having an equal number of representatives on the Regional Representative Group. Part of these concerns were linked to the ability of the governance group to “control” water, and the potential repercussions from that control, especially in terms of costs to consumers.
Layers of bureaucracy – (15% of respondents commented on this topic)
There was a concern around the multiple layers of governance proposed. It was thought this would significantly increase costs and slow the ability of the entity to carry out its core functions.
Cross subsidisation – (10% of respondents commented on this topic)
Some submitters highlighted their concerns that Nelson would end up subsidising other areas to upgrade their infrastructure. Nelson has previously invested well in its Three Waters assets, and so would end up missing out on new investment as other areas would take priority.
Support for the reform
Of those that supported the reforms, comments included supporting the steps to prevent privatisation, desiring effective community input and urging change to happen faster.
To read Council’s submission in full, as well as all the public feedback, visit nelson.govt.nz and click on the Three Waters reform tile.

What’s On
Founders Heritage Park
Illuminate Light & Sound Experience Nelson – Thursday 28 July - Sunday 7 August, 
5:45pm – 9:30pm
Saxton Field
Free Fitness Fridays - PT in the Park – Friday 29 July, 11:00am
Trafalgar Centre
South Island Show Offs 2022 – Saturday 30 July, 9:00am – 6:00pm
NZIPP Iris Awards – Thursday 11 - Saturday 13 August, 9:00am
NZ Photography Show – Public Open Day – Saturday 13 August, 9:00am – 4:00pm
New Zealand Photography Show – Sunday 14 - Monday 15 August, 9:00am
Trafalgar Park
Farah Palmer Cup Tasman v Taranaki – Saturday 30 July, 2:00pm
Farah Palmer Cup Tasman v Hawkes Bay – Saturday 20 August, 2:00pm
Broadgreen Historic House
Secret Lives of Dresses – 1- 31 July, 11:00am – 3:00pm daily
Mini Hoop Embroidery Workshop – Saturday 30 July, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Table Loom Set Up and Weaving Weekend – Saturday 30 - Sunday 31 July, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Weave your own Hand Woven Wash Cloth workshop – Sunday 21 August, 10:00am – 4:00pm 
Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Community Centre
Sri Lankan Kids Art Festival – Saturday 13 August, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Art Group Nelson Winter Exhibition – Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 August, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Nelson Public Libraries:
Pop-Up at Elma Turner Library 
Hours: 
9:30am-6:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 
10:00am-6:00pm Wednesday 
10:00am-4:00pm Saturday  
1:00pm-4:00pm Sunday  
Due to the temporary closure of the Elma Turner Library, some of the regular events have been moved to different locations. See below.
Device Advice – Civic House every Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2:00pm – 3:00pm 
Knitting Group – Library Knitters - Nelson Women’s Centre every Thursday from 10am – 12 pm 
Tea & Tales -  Trafalgar Street Hall – Wednesday 27 July, 11am – 12pm
Tea & Talk – 18 Bridge Street, Friday’s, 10:00 – 12:00
Bookchat - Age Concern Office second Tuesday of the month from 10:30 – 11:30am
Shared Reading for Wellbeing – Nikau House, every Tuesday, 11:30am – 12:45pm
Nightingale Library Memorial 
Hours: 
10:00am – 4:00pm, Monday to Friday
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Knitting Sale – Every Wednesday, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Device Advice – Every Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 2:00pm
Tea & Tales – Dementia Friendly Book Group, every Wednesday, 11:00am – 12:00am
STEM writers – Tuesday 9 August, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Wellby Talking Café – Thursday 11 August, 10:00am – 11:30am
Stoke Library
Hours: 
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 10:00am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Stoke Device Advice – every Tuesday & Wednesday, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Reading to Billy the Dog – every Wednesday, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Small Time at Stoke Library – every Friday, 10:30am – 11:00am
Ancestors’ Attic Drop-in – Saturday 6 August, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Stoke Bookchat – Wednesday 17 August 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Museums and Galleries:
The Suter Art Gallery & Theatre
Hours: 9:30am – 4:30pm daily
Refinery ArtSpace 
Hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday & 10:00am – 2:00pm, Saturday
Nelson Provincial Museum 
Hours: 10:00 – 5:00pm Weekdays, 10:00am – 4:30pm Weekends & Public Holidays
MELTDOWN: Visualising Climate Change – Friday 3 June - Sunday 2 October, 10:00am – 4:30pm
Please ensure you check itson.co.nz regularly for event updates.