Our Nelson 163, 15 February 2023

Council's Right Tree Right Place Taskforce coming at the right time
At its meeting on Thursday 9 February, Council approved the creation of the Right Tree Right Place Taskforce to evaluate future options for Nelson City Council’s 600 hectares of plantation forest in the Maitai, Brook, Roding and Marsden valleys. 
It will evaluate potential forestry options and their socio-economic and ecological impacts on the region for the next 25–30 years and make recommendations to the full Council. 
Terms of reference for the Taskforce are being developed, with the intention they will provide scope to examine a range of forest options and their socio-economic and ecological values for Nelson city and the wider region. Establishing processes to draw on a wide range of skills, experiences and views will be an important part of the Taskforce’s work, as will using the findings of several recent Council forestry reports. 
“Forestry management is a complex issue, requiring ongoing assessment of its impacts on the environment, the local economy, and recreation and tourism for our region,” says Nelson Mayor Nick Smith.
“People are rightly passionate about the issue, and it is essential Council considers a variety of viewpoints before making a decision that impacts the region for the next quarter-century planting cycle."
Mayor Nick says the Right Tree Right Place Taskforce is named deliberately to indicate the way forward needs to be tailored to each of the specific forestry stands. “My goal in establishing this Taskforce is to create an objective group that will consider all of these priorities in line with sound scientific and technical advice and ultimately recommend to Council the best way forward in managing its land.”
Taskforce lead and former Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Morgan Williams says there is no easy or one-size-fits-all solution for forestry management. 
“Forests are a very important part of the region’s resilience, as a timber resource, carbon sink, for recreation and conservation, and landscape protection. 
“How people relate to and feel about the environment around them has a huge impact on how different groups determine priorities for the management of natural capital and long-term sustainability.
“It’s an honour to lead the Taskforce, and I look forward to working with Nelson City Council to recommend ways forward for the region.”
Councillor and Taskforce member Rachel Sanson says she has heard from many in our community concerned about the impact of Council’s production forestry. 
“The August 2022 weather event really highlighted the risks we are facing as a community from increased rainfall due to climate change – especially from erosion, flooding and sedimentation.
“I am really appreciative of Mayor Nick's openness to considering this issue and hope the Taskforce will put forward recommendations Council and the community can embrace.”
Dr Williams and Councillor Sanson will be joined by Councillor Matthew Benge on the Taskforce and will also jointly recommend two additional non-Council members with relevant industry and environmental expertise to round out the group. The Taskforce’s recommendations to Council will be considered later this year so any change in policy can be included in the Council’s consultation on the Long Term Plan 2024-34. 
Council’s previous work on forestry and resulting reports, which the Taskforce will assess as part of its recommendation process, are now available for the public to view at: meetings.nelson.govt.nz

Get Census 2023 help at the library
Census Day 2023 is Tuesday 7 March and staff at Nelson Public Libraries are here to help.
Census forms started being sent from Monday 13 February, and must be completed on or before 7 March.
The library is holding three drop-in sessions for those who require assistance to fill out their census form.
Elma Turner Pop-up Library:
Wednesday 22 February 11:30am – 12:30pm and Monday 27 February, 10am – 12pm.
Nightingale Library Memorial:
Thursday 2 March, 2:30 – 4pm.
If you can’t make these times, the Book a Librarian service is also available. These free, 45-minute one-on-one sessions are available at any time within opening hours, and can be booked online at: nelsonpubliclibraries.co.nz/services/book-a-librarian

Dog owners: be on the lookout for karaka berries
Karaka trees are native to New Zealand and are abundant in public places throughout Nelson, including the back beach at Tāhunanui, Monaco Reserve, Melrose Gardens, other parks and reserves and private properties.
Dog owners should be aware that the kernels inside karaka berries are highly toxic, and consumption can be fatal. The trees pose the greatest threat to dogs between summer and autumn when the berries ripen and fall to the ground.
The karaka tree, which can grow up to 15 metres and has thick dark leaves, has bright orange berries up to 4-centimetres long, making it very distinctive.
Residents should keep an eye out for karaka trees in their area at this time of year and take care when walking their dogs.
Signs of karaka berry poisoning include confusion, weakness, vomiting, hind leg paralysis and convulsions. There can be a delay of 24–48 hours between berry consumption and symptoms. If you suspect your dog has ingested karaka berries, contact a vet immediately.
Information and advice about poisonous plants is available on the New Zealand National Poisons Centre website: poisons.co.nz

Council wants YOU...to fill out the 2022/23 residents’ survey
Needless to say, a lot has changed in Whakatū Nelson since the last time we surveyed you in June 2022, so once again Nelson City Council wants to hear what the community thinks about the organisation’s current priorities and direction. 
The results of these surveys give us a valuable overview of public opinion and help Council improve how it delivers the services that impact you – everything from Nelson’s transportation network to sporting and cultural events and even how we look after the natural environment. 
An independent research company will survey at least 400 Nelson residents beginning later this month. Some people will be surveyed between February and March and others between May and June to maximise opportunities for people to participate. We’ll make the survey results public once the survey is completed, but individual responses will be completely anonymous. 
If you've been chosen, you’ll get a letter in the mail with a QR code you can scan to complete the survey online. You’ll also be able to request a paper copy if that is easier for you. Either way, the survey should only take about 10–15 minutes to complete. As thanks for taking the time to respond, you’ll go in a draw to win one of three Prezzy cards valued at $100 each, so make sure you check your mailbox!
Even if you aren’t selected to complete the survey, there are always plenty of ways to share your feedback with Council. Projects open for consultation are regularly updated online at Shape Nelson and you can report any problems or issues through the Antenno App or by contacting our Customer Service Centre.

Council to consult on Annual Plan 2023/24
Nelson City Council has assessed the financial impact of recovery from the August 2022 severe weather event and agreed an amendment to its Long Term Plan 2021-2031 is not necessary. 
However, as there are significant changes to next year’s capital programme, Council will undertake public consultation on its Annual Plan 2023/24. 
Not amending the Long Term Plan reduces the time required to audit an amendment as required by legislation and saves the estimated $80,000–$100,000 it would cost to engage Audit NZ, on top of staff and elected member time. 
The public consultation period on the Annual Plan 2023/24 will begin on Wednesday 29 March and last for a month. 
The Annual Plan consultation period and submissions process will be advertised at the Customer Service Centre and library branches, through Council’s Our Nelson publication and online at Council’s website, social media channels and Shape Nelson.

Meetings

The following meetings of the Nelson City Council have been scheduled. 
Audit, Risk and Finance Committee
9am	24 Feb
Chief Executive Employment Committee - Rūma Whakatū
2pm	24 Feb
Council meeting
9am	9 Mar
Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit
9:30am	10 Mar
Nelson Tasman Regional Landfill Business Unit
9:30am	17 Mar
Council meeting
1pm	23 Mar
Hearing Panel
9am	24 Mar
Joint Committee of Tasman District and Nelson City Councils
9:30am	28 Mar

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