Our Nelson Issue 178 – 13 Septmeber 2023

Plan Change 29 submission time extended 
Nelson City Council has extended the deadline for submissions to Plan Change 29 (PC29) in response to community feedback that people need more time to read the information. 
PC29 opened for public submissions on 11 August 2023 and was expected to close to submissions on 19 September 2023. The closing date has been extended until 31 October 2023, allowing an extra six weeks for people to make submissions.  
Council is proposing changing parts of the Nelson Resource Management Plan (NRMP) through PC29 to introduce more flexibility around housing rules. The changes are being made in response to population growth, demand for housing in the region, and to fulfill Council’s obligations under central government’s National Policy Statement for Urban Development (NPS-UD) 2020. 
Under this national direction, Council must ensure Nelson grows into a well-functioning environment that can provide for sufficient housing capacity to meet growth pressures. Nelson’s population is estimated to increase by an additional 11,860 people and 6,470 households by 2051, representing an approximate 27 per cent population growth over the 2020–2051 period. 
The main objective of proposed Plan Change 29 is to amend the NRMP to implement the NPS-UD by supporting housing delivery and the provision of well-functioning urban environments within Nelson, while ensuring that natural hazard risks are appropriately managed and historic heritage is protected. 
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says feedback from a public meeting held Thursday 7 September and a session at the Nelson Market Saturday 2 September was that Nelsonians are feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of the plan change, need more time, and do not support the scale of intensification proposed in residential areas. 
“These are big changes that will shape the future of Nelson for decades, and the best way to get it right is to ensure there is strong community input. The extra six weeks will enable people to become more familiar with the detail of the proposals and make better-informed submissions. 
“These issues are difficult because there is opposition to further housing developments on the Waimea Plains, opposition to developments such as the Maitai Valley as well as multistorey developments in existing residential areas, yet we must accommodate more housing to address the chronic shortage and population growth. 
“The message I took from the public meeting is that Plan Change 29 will need to be significantly revised. Our goal, through the public submissions on the extended timetable, the further submissions early next year, and the hearings mid next year, is to take on board these concerns and revise this into a plan that has broad public support.” 
To assist during the extended submission period, Council officers will be organising a series of neighbourhood workshops, or drop-in sessions. These will be advertised shortly.  Council Planners can also be contacted for one-on-one appointments by emailing environmental.planning@ncc.govt.nz or phoning 03 546 0200.
Go to shape.nelson.govt.nz/plan-change-29 for more information on Plan Change 29, including a detailed FAQ and the ability to ask questions live.  
Plan Change 30 Airport Runway Extension further submissions open 
Three independent commissioners have been appointed by Nelson City Council to conduct the hearing of submissions received on proposals to extend the Nelson Airport runway and make associated changes to the Nelson Resource Management Plan. 
Lawyer Helen Atkins will be the panel Chair and she will be accompanied by Lindsay Daysh and David McMahon. The panel has the relevant and required experience to consider Plan Change 30 and the Notice of Requirement which were publicly notified on 10 June 2023.
Mandy Bishop, Group Manager Environmental Management, says some 470 submissions have been received from the Nelson community and beyond.
“All submissions have been reviewed and summarised and further submissions on Plan Change 30 are now invited. Following receipt of further submissions, the Council is required to prepare all the necessary assessment reports. A hearing is expected to occur in early 2024.”
Further submissions will be accepted until 25 September 2023 at 4PM. Go to shape.nelson.govt.nz/plan-change-30-nelson-airport-runway-extension/further-submissions for more information. Please note that this summary does not include submissions received on the Nelson Airport Ltd Notice of Requirement (NOR) application. The RMA does not allow for further submissions on an NOR application.

Recovery funding of $12.3m announced for Nelson
Central government has offered a package of recovery measures for Nelson following the severe weather event in August 2022, including a buyout deal for damaged homes and 50% of the funding required to remediate slips so the land they are on is more resilient to future events.
Homeowners who are experiencing acute financial hardship as they are not able to return to their homes will also be eligible for an accommodation allowance in line with that received by people in similar circumstances in the North Island following Cyclone Gabrielle. 
Further funding of $300,000 has been provided to cover a 10-year monitoring programme for the Tahunanui slump. 
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says he is relieved that the Government has offered equivalent storm damage support for Nelson as for North Island affected communities. 
“It means Nelson families still displaced where their insurance has run out for paying for alternative housing will get an accommodation allowance. These families are doing it very tough with mortgage costs soaring on their unliveable damaged home and paying rent on another house in Nelson’s tight housing market. 
“It also means the government will assist 50/50 on buyouts of up to 14 properties where the cost to make them safe exceeds their value. I will now need to progress approvals for Council’s 50% share at our Council meeting in September. These families were in limbo, but we now have a pathway forward. 
“The Government has also agreed to my request for 50% of the betterment costs of improving the resilience of 18 landslides on Council land. This offsets a $6m cost for all Nelson ratepayers. This funding was previously declined but the reversal is welcome.” 
Mayor Smith extended his thanks to Finance Minister Grant Robertson for this support and Nelson MP Rachel Boyack for her advocacy for Nelson.  
“I also want to publicly acknowledge Group Manager Infrastructure Alec Louverdis and the NCC storm recovery team, the DPMC Cyclone Recovery team, and fellow NCC Storm Recovery Taskforce Members Councillors Trudie Brand and Matty Anderson for helping achieve this further step on the road to recovery.” 
Nelson City Council will decide whether to accept the Government’s offer at its next Council meeting in September.
Maitai shared pathway fully reopen for public use 
Nelson City Council has completed a project to widen the Maitai shared pathway, which is now fully open to the public.
The work was completed using Transport Choices funding from central government. Overall cost for the final stage of the project was under budget at $204,000. The funding that was saved will be reallocated into other Transport Choices projects. 
The 2km long path, which connects the Trafalgar Centre, via Nile Street, to the Maitai River, is popular with cyclists and pedestrians. The first section of the shared pathway, from Trafalgar Centre to Collingwood Street, was constructed in 2014.
However, Council received feedback from the community that the path was too narrow, with reports of injuries occurring when people moved to make way for others. The narrow width of the path discouraged use by pedestrians, cyclists, and people with mobility scooters.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says he is delighted the project has been completed so quickly and under budget.
"This improved pathway is about Nelson making more of our connections with the beautiful Maitai River. It is also about improving the opportunities for walking and cycling around our city and retaining our status as New Zealand’s most active city. 
“The Maitai River pathway is one of my favourite cycling, running and walking routes. I’m looking forward to using it during my regular training runs from Civic House over the Centre of New Zealand and up the Maitai Valley.”
Provincial Growth funding in 2020 enabled a section of the path from Collingwood Street to the Bridge Street bridge to be widened from 1.5m to 2.5m.
Widening this final section of the pathway, from the Bridge Street bridge to Nile Street, via Domett Street, was funded by Transport Choices, an investment package designed to help local Councils begin immediate work to reduce emissions.
The funding enabled Council to fast-track projects that support a rapid shift to more sustainable and active modes across several investment areas.
Group Infrastructure Manager Alec Louverdis says the Maitiai shared path upgrades align with Council’s priorities.
“These upgrades meet with our priority to ensure sure we can all travel safely and efficiently around our city. The Maitai shared pathway upgrade is one of many projects we’re doing around Nelson to make improvements for pedestrians and cyclists as part of E Tū Whakatū, our Active Travel Strategy. The goal of that strategy is to give people the genuine choice to walk, cycle or use public transport.”
Nelson has also received Transport Choices funding for other projects, including the eBus waiting room upgrade at Bridge Street, newly installed eReaders at selected bus stops, and bus shelters that will be installed over the coming year.
“The Government’s Transport Choices package is designed to help cities become more people-friendly places to work, live and visit,” says Nelson MP, Rachel Boyack.  
“This new pathway gives residents the opportunity to choose different ways to get to where they need to go. Upgrading and expanding shared pathways for more users will help reduce emissions and support us to meet the Government’s emissions reduction targets.”
One month of eBus 
There were 68,000 journeys on Nelson Tasman’s new eBus service during it’s first month of operation, an impressive 68% increase compared with the average monthly usage from the last seven months (January to July) of NBus.
Xander (5), Jayden (7) and Hadley (5) and their mum Lisa are among the recent converts to travelling by bus.  
"We had never used the bus before. I have a wee Mazda Demio and my partner has a big gas guzzling SUV, we used the eBus for the first time on launch day and haven’t looked back,” says Lisa.  
“With the cost of putting petrol in two cars, we’ve just found it so much cheaper to use the bus, and we’ve been able to use the cost of petrol to do fun things with the boys instead.
“We use it in the mornings to take Xander and Jayden to school. We board route 3 from Victory, then change to route 2 at the Interchange and bus to school, it only costs me $1 each way because the boys are free and they love it, Hadley jumps up and down waving at the bus every time we see it.” 
“We took it to see the Mako!” added 7-year-old Jayden.
Patronage on the service continued to climb across the month with a 16% increase from week one to week four.  Between the launch of the service on Tuesday 1 August, and the end of the first month, Thursday 31 August, there was an increase of 675 journeys a day. The newly introduced Motueka and Wakefield routes are also proving to be popular with close to 3,000 journeys on the Motueka route alone across the month. 
“These strong and growing numbers through the first month show the new eBus service is succeeding,” says Nelson Mayor Nick Smith. 
“We want to encourage even more people to give it a try so the growth continues. Nelsonians’ budgets are under extraordinary pressure with petrol now nudging $3 a litre and using the eBus can help some family budgets. 
“The eBuses have made a great start but there have been a few bumps. We are going to be continuing to improve the service with more covered shelters and refinements in timetables and routes.” 
Nelson City Council has been asking for feedback on the timetable and bus stops and has received 231 contributions through Shape Nelson and 293 contributions through customer services.  
“The transport and customer service teams are working through the submissions,” says Group Infrastructure Manager Alec Louverdis. “We now have four weeks of real-time data that we can use to refine our timetables and make improvements where possible. There are processes that both Councils now need to go through before we can implement any major changes, but we will be looking at one of the issues most commonly raised – an earlier Route 1 and 2 service from Nelson to Richmond."

Top three eBus questions
What are the express routes?  
We have two express routes! The express buses are the Motueka/Wakefield routes. Between Richmond and Nelson, the express buses will ONLY stop at Nelson Hospital.
If the number on the display is 5 or 6, then it's an express route. The best way to tell if it’s your bus is by using the live tracker.
Where can I get a Bee Card?
There are several places you can get a Bee Card around Nelson Tasman, but you can’t top them up everywhere.
You can purchase and top-up a Bee Card as well as add concessions (eg. Community Services Card) at the following places: Motueka Library, Richmond Library, Tasman District Council, Stoke Library, Nelson Elma Turner Library, Nelson City Council and online at beecard.co.nz. The bus driver can also top your card up but with cash only.
If you live in Mapua or Wakefield, you can purchase a Bee Card from your local Four Square, but you would need to top-up your card online or on the bus.
If you have any enquiries you can go to the Tasman District Council Service Centre in Richmond or Nelson City Council. 
How do I know if it’s my bus?
The live tracking function on the ebus.nz website might be the handiest function on the whole site! Select the route you’re traveling on, and it will show you on the map where each bus is, and where it will be stopping next. You’ll be able to track the bus in real time. The running display on the front of each bus will also show you which route it is, and which direction, whether it’s northbound, southbound, east or west. The display will also show you the express routes.

Sounds delicious, but it’s weedy
Chocolate vine, or akebia (Akebia quinata) was once popular with Kiwi gardeners who grew it up and along walls and trellises. Unfortunately, its bad habit of ‘jumping the fence’ and smothering forest means it is banned from sale or distribution around the country. Under favourable conditions Akebia can grow more than 10m in a season, strangling its host plants and starving them of light. 
The leaves have five rounded leaflets with a little notch in each tip. Scented purple flowers with three petals appear in spring.
It's still a fairly uncommon weed in Nelson, but in the areas it has got to it is spreading with vigour. There are a few properties that have maintained Akebia for many years, however, based on the impacts in other areas, we are trying to locate and remove all vines to reduce the risk of spread (including the well-manicured ones). 
If you have seen this vine growing wild, please let Council’s biosecurity officer know. If you have it in your garden, please consider having it removed and replacing it with something less weedy. 
If you think you have seen the plant in your neighbourhood, please call the Council office, or drop an email to biosecurity@ncc.govt.nz and a biosecurity officer will call you back. Snapping some clear pictures of the plant in question is often a great help. 
More information on the effects and control of Akebia can be found here: weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/chocolate-vine-or-akebia
Mayor’s Message
The large attendance at the Trafalgar Centre last week and opposition to proposed Plan Change 29 requires we pause and better engage with our community on the rules that will shape the future development in our city. It also reinforced to me how hard it is to resolve Nelson’s housing problem.
There is strong opposition to using more of the highly fertile Waimea Plains when horticulture is so important to the region’s economy. The Maitahi Bayview development, Plan Change 28, triggered the “Save the Maitai” campaign from people who wanted to protect its rural character.
Plan Change 29 proposes intensification, enabling more homes on existing sections and multi-storey townhouse and apartment developments. The concerns with intensification are that it comes with more shade, loss of views, less green space and the loss of older buildings.
Some people want to avoid these difficult choices by disputing the population projections for Nelson or wanting to stop growth. The population of Nelson-Tasman has been growing by about 1000 people a year for the 33 years I have been a local MP or Mayor. People are going to continue to move here because of our sunny climate, diverse industries, creative culture, natural environment, and safe and caring community.
Plan Change 29 is largely based on the Nelson Tasman Future Development Strategy that was adopted by the previous Council in August 2022. It detailed six-storey housing in residential areas such as behind the Cathedral, Nelson South and Central Stoke that is now causing so much angst. Public submissions were focused on the high-level strategy and were distracted by the controversy over the Maitai Valley. The effect on specific neighbourhoods was not adequately discussed. The community is not opposed to all high-rise apartments but want more thought into where they’re built.
I also worry that we are relying too much on digital communication and information. We need more face-to-face engagement. That is why I initiated Council having a monthly presence at the Nelson Market and the public meeting last week. We have extended the time for public submissions by six weeks until 31 October and will provide additional community info drop-in sessions.
Nelson is going to need to grow up and out to meet future housing needs. The way forward is getting intensification in the right place and formulating the right rules to ensure we get quality developments. We know we have lots of work to do to get this plan right.

Pōwhiri held for former refugee community
Members of Nelson’s former refugee community were welcomed onto Whakatū Marae last week, Wednesday 6 September, by Kaumātua Luke Katu, Jane du Feu, and Melanie McGregor. 
Around 90 former refugees from Colombia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar attended the ceremony. The group was joined by members of English Language Partners, New Zealand Red Cross, Multicultural Nelson Tasman, New Zealand Police and Nelson City Council.
The day began with a Pōwhiri at Whakatū Marae, followed by kai whakanoa (shared morning tea) and stories about the history of Kākati wharenui (main house).
Nelson has been a refugee resettlement location for 16 years, and around 1,800 former refugees and their families now call the area ‘home’.
The journey to get here, though, is a difficult one. For many, it begins with extraordinary hardship—war, persecution, discrimination, racism, oppression—that causes individuals and families to flee their homelands. 
Support for former refugees resettling in Nelson starts as soon as they arrive, with New Zealand Red Cross staff and volunteers greeting them at the airport.
Ongoing support to individuals and families includes help with securing housing and accessing healthcare, banking, English language classes, and employment.
Nau mai, haere mai – we welcome you to your new home here in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Voters may demand poll on electoral systems (STV and FPP)
Under Section 28(1) of the Local Electoral Act 2001, those who are enrolled to vote in Nelson have the right to demand a poll on the electoral system to be used for elections of Nelson City Council. 
The choice is between the Single Transferable Vote (STV) and the 
First Past the Post (FPP) electoral systems. 
Unless a poll determines otherwise, STV will be used for the 2025 election of Nelson City Council, as resolved by the Council on 13 August 2020.
To be valid under the Act, any demand for a poll must:
Be in writing
Specify which of the two systems is proposed to be used for elections of Nelson City Council (STV or FPP)
Be signed by at least five percent of eligible voters of Nelson City Council (this will require a minimum of 1,964 voter signatures), and
Be delivered to the office of Nelson City Council, 110 Trafalgar St, Nelson no later than 22 February 2024.
NOTE: Next to their signature, everyone who signs a demand must also provide their full name and the address at which they are qualified to vote for Nelson City Council.
If a valid demand is received by 22 February 2024, the poll will be held by 21 May 2024, and will apply for the 2025 and 2028 triennial local elections. 
If a valid demand is received after 22 February 2024 the poll will be held after 21 May 2024, and will apply for the 2028 and 2031 elections.
For further information, please contact Devorah Nícuarta-Smith, Deputy Electoral Officer/ Manager Governance and Support Services.
Email: devorah.nicuartasmith@ncc.govt.nz 
Phone: 03 546 0391

$1.6 million in grant funding awarded to three Nelson projects 
Three Nelson City Council projects have received a combined $1.6 million in the most recent round of grants from the Government’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund.
The fund recognised the  impact extreme weather events, such as in August 2022, had on local infrastructure and visitor numbers, and prioritised funding to help support communities to restore and upgrade tourism infrastructure to assist in their recovery. 
The three Council projects that received funding are the Marina Promenade, receiving $1,130,066, the Montgomery Square Toilet Renewal, receiving $295,412 and Marsden Valley Trailhead Facilities, receiving $235,370.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith welcomed the funding boost, saying the combination of COVID-19 and the August 2022 weather event had severely affected tourism and Council’s budgets for upgrading tourism and community infrastructure. 
“The visitor industry is vital to Nelson’s economy and has taken a huge hit through Covid. These investments in tourism infrastructure help in the recovery.
“One of my key ambitions as Mayor is to better connect our city with the sea. The Marina Promenade fits well with planned developments for additional boat berths and a new sea sports facility in Akersten Street, and Nelson gaining port of entry status for international recreational vessels.
“Montgomery Square is an important tourism destination, being home to Nelson’s iconic Saturday Market. The toilet block is tired, and this funding towards an upgrade is welcome.
“Marsden Valley is very popular for walking and biking, but the trailhead facilities are inadequate to meet demand. These new parking and toilet facilities, along with an entrance pathway, will enhance the experience and make it safer for visitors and locals.
“This $1.6 million investment in improving Nelson’s facilities will benefit the visitor industry as well as enhancing our city for our own residents.”
Fiona Wilson, Chief Executive of the Nelson Regional Development Agency, says; “We were very pleased to support Council’s application for this funding and encouraged the Tourism Infrastructure Fund administrators to recognise the benefits that this suite of projects would provide to the hard-hit visitor sector in our region.
“It is really positive news to have this funding approved for these worthwhile projects. Between them, the Nelson Marina Promenade development, upgrades to the Marsden Valley Trailhead carpark and the Montgomery Square public facilities are all important components of the region’s offering of quality recreational facilities. The benefits will enhance recreational experiences for visitors and locals alike.” 
Nelson Marina Promenade – $1,130,066
The Marina Promenade is part of the Marina Masterplan and will see a new, five-metre-wide, family-friendly walk and cycleway that extends the current Maitai River walkway through to the start of the Marina facilities - café, public toilets, offices and visitor berths. The pathway will be landscaped, with provision made for lighting, drinking fountains and park benches, and art installations by local artists will be sought.
The pathway is envisioned to be not only a safe access between the city and the marina, but also an opportunity to share some of the fascinating history of our waterfront with the community and visitors. To do this, Council will be working with local iwi to tell the story of the indigenous and modern history of the marina area, Port Nelson and the Nelson Haven along the new pathway.
The estimated total cost of the first stage of the project is $3,570,066,  and work is expected to begin in April 2024.
Montgomery Square Toilet Renewal - $295,412
The 50-year-old Montgomery Square Superloo services a high number of visitors to Nelson’s city centre and hosts the Nelson Saturday Market and Monty’s Sunday Market as well as providing an area for freedom camping. Its facilities are used thousands of times every month. 
Proposed changes to the Superloo include increasing the number of bathroom facilities; washer and dryers, and lockers; adding an outdoor wash basin; improved heating and layout; floor resurfacing; a photovoltaic solar system and electrical and plumbing upgrades. 
An updated architectural plan is the next step for the project, with total costs and timelines to be confirmed after this.  
Marsden Valley Trailhead Facilities – $235,370
The planned upgrade to the southern end of Marsden Valley Road (Marsden Valley trailhead) will see the addition of safe car parking, an accessible toilet, and a new pathway from the car park to the trail entrance.
The improvement of the trailhead facilities will serve all those wishing to access the Barnicoat Walkway, Glider Rd access to the ridgeline, and other popular local trails including Involution and the old weir track. The Marsden Valley trailhead also links access to Aniseed Valley and the Silvan Forest.
The estimated total cost of the project is $480,740. Work is expected to begin in February 2024.
Councillor’s Comment
Fakalofa lahi atu kia motulu oti. Ko e higoa haaku ko Matty Anderson. 
“The Generation B": Brown, Brainy, Beautiful, Bicultural, Bilingual and Bold. NZ Stats 2018 says I am one of the 2.3% Pasifika we have in Nelson – it’s gotta be more than that. I’m sure you know at least a couple of us; we’re the good-looking ones. 
Whakatū has for many years reaped benefits from this demographic. Our primary industries would struggle without our help, as would the Makos – fins up. They underpin the workforce for our horticulture and fisheries industries. We need them so badly that we fly them in. 
I wonder and worry about this disposable workforce. My grandfather passed away too young. He worked building wood burners. A lot of asbestos. Our health outcomes are dire. We work, but we work multiple minimum-wage jobs. Our RSE and work visa whānau are often exploited. A lot has changed since the Dawn Raids of the 1970s. And a lot hasn’t. Despite this, you will get smiles, respect and a plate of food if you time it right.
There is some good stuff happening. Currently, our Pasifika have some agency and are doing amazing things. The Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community Trust has been delivering health, education, social services and community development for more than 20 years. We have more recent organisations: Nelson Tasman Tongan Community, Fa’alapotopotoga Tagata Samoa Nelson Tasman. Our Fijians will be the next cab off the rank and we have 12 Pasifika churches in our rohe. These guys are all doing great things, delivering positive community outcomes with safe spaces and faces. 
I do feel positive about our future. We have a Mayor and Councillors who want to engage, acknowledge and celebrate this community that deserves more. Personally, I am duty bound to serve and have the privilege of being able to follow a path set by my tūpuna. Also, I am raising two Pasifika boys and my grandfather would haunt me if I stuffed up this one.
 My community is generous, grateful, family and faith-focused, hardworking, funny and good looking. If you are fortunate enough to enter our homes, here are some tips: Take off your shoes even if they say it’s OK, don’t swear, acknowledge the elder and don’t eat before the food is blessed. The little ones might be scared of the weird palagi in the house but will get over it.
Fakaaue lahi he fanogonogo mai.

Heritage Project Fund grants disestablished
As part of its decision-making on the Annual Plan for the 2023-24 financial year, Nelson City Council has decided to end the Heritage Project Fund grants scheme.
The Heritage Project Fund allowed owners of heritage properties listed in the Nelson Resource Management Plan to apply for grants to maintain, repair, restore or stabilise their heritage buildings, or to procure advice and work for seismic strengthening of heritage buildings, objects or sites of heritage value.
The grants scheme was no longer economically justifiable due to the estimated cost of administering the fund being higher than the amount of the grants paid. 

SH6 Waka Kotahi closure
Work to asphalt the Link Road roundabout and Link Road Extension on State Highway 6 Whakatu Drive, Nelson will get underway this month. 
From 8pm until 5am on the 17-29 September, excluding Saturday 23 September, SH6 Whakatu Drive will be closed in both directions, between Quarantine roundabout and McGlashen Avenue to allow for this work.
The team will also complete road surface repairs, attend to guardrails, signage, and vegetation, sweep under and around wire ropes, and other general maintenance as required.
The shared path adjacent to the highway will remain open at all times for cyclists and pedestrians, while access for people travelling to and from Nelson Airport will remain in place via Quarantine roundabout and Quarantine Road.
Chorus Art Cabinets ready for makeover
Nelson’s creative community is invited to show off its artistic flair in a new round of Chorus Art Cabinet makeovers.
The call for mural design submissions, from Arts Council Nelson in partnership with Nelson City Council and Chorus, seeks to transform five Chorus cabinets into works of art.
The cabinets chosen to receive a makeover are on Mill Road, Tipahi Street, Milton Street, Panorama Drive and Saxton Road. 
The selected artists will be paid for their work depending on the size of the cabinet they are allocated – , this ranges from $600 to $1700. Artists will also be reimbursed up to $150 for materials. 
The cabinets do not have a theme that must be followed, and artists can submit as many designs as they wish.
The designs will be reviewed by Arts Council Nelson's Arts Selection Panel.
Design submissions are open now, and close on Friday, 29 September.
For more details and an application form, see the Arts Council Nelson website: acn.org.nz/chorus-art-cabinets.html

Meetings
The following meetings of the 
Nelson City Council have been scheduled. 
Council meeting
9am	14 Sep
Audit, Risk and Finance Committee
9am	15 Sep
Joint Nelson Tasman Regional Transport Committee - Tasman District Council Chamber, 189 Queen Street, Richmond
9.30am	25 Sep
Cancelled Meeting:
Chief Executive Employment Committee, previously advertised to take place on 22 September 2023, commencing at 2pm, has been cancelled due to insufficient business.

Conewatch: Ongoing
Project name	Likely end date	Location	Benefit	
Awatea Place Wastewater Pump Station 	September 2023 	Awatea Place & Parkers Road 	Improve wastewater network capacity and protect environment from overflows 	
Atmore Terrace – Slip remediation and road reinstatement 	October 2023 	Hillside and road above 16 Atmore Terrace 	Reinstate road amenity and protection of lifeline services located within carriageway. Remove risk of further land subsidence  	
St Vincent Street Stormwater  	November 2023  	Intersection of St Vincent Street & Hastings St  	Improve stormwater network and reduce flooding risk  	
Saxton Creek Upgrade Stage 4 	Nov/Dec 2023 	Main Rd, Stoke 	Flood mitigation 	
NRSBU Rising Main Duplication – Martin Point Connection 	December 2023 	Connection of duplicate rising main to existing system at Martins Point 	Improve network capacity and resilience 	
Domett Street Upgrade	December 2023	Reconstruction of Domett Street	Improved footpath and cycling facilities	
NRSBU Rising Main Duplication Section 5-7 	February 2024 	Railway Reserve Cycle way, Elms Street-Kotua Pl 	Improve network capacity and resilience 	

It’s On… at a Council venue near you
Saxton Field
Year 5 & 6 Tasman Regional Hockey Tournament – Tuesday 19 September, 9am – 2pm
Saxton Stadium
After School Table Tennis Juniors – Mondays and Fridays during term time, 3:30pm – 5pm
Nelson Home and Garden Show – Friday 22 – Sunday 24 September, 10am – 4pm
Trafalgar Centre
NZ Highland Dancer of the Year – Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October, 8am – 5pm
Founders Heritage Park
Hours: 10am – 4:30pm Daily
Illuminate Light and Sound Experience – Friday 8 – Sunday 10 September and Friday 15 – Sunday 17 September, 5:45pm – 9pm
Stoke Memorial Hall – Temporarily Closed
Melrose House
Hours: Monday: 9am – 3pm, Tuesday to Sunday: 9am – 4pm
Isel House and Park
Hours: Now closed for the season. Opens again in October.
Brunch in the Park – every Saturday until 23 September, 9am – 1pm
Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Community Centre
Tackling the Barriers to Real Climate Action – Thursday 14 September, 7pm
Tāhunanui Beach 
Tāhunanui Beach Clean Up – Sunday 24 September, 10:30am – 1:30pm
Nelson Public Libraries:
Elma Turner Library 
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30am – 6pm
Wednesday: 10am – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Sunday: 1pm – 4pm
Library Knitters – every Thursday, 10am – 12pm
Pop-up Pukapuka – Wednesday 13 September and Wednesday 11 October, 5:45pm – 6:30pm
Meet Luna at the Library – Saturday 16 and Saturday 30 October, 3pm – 4pm
Mandarin Small Time – Wednesday 20 September, 3pm – 4pm
Chinese Language Week: Mandarin and Tea Taster – Friday 22 September, 3pm – 4pm
Kōrero te reo Māori – Saturday 23 September and Saturday 7 October, 10am – 11am
Live Music Series: Avid Opera – Sunday 24 September, 2pm
Spring Scavenger Hunt – Monday 25 September to Sunday 8 October
Bubs, Bubbles and Boogie – Wednesday 27 September, 10:30am – 11am
Fairy Tale Fiasco Puppet Show – Thursday 28 September, 2pm – 3pm
Community Corner with Employable – Thursday 28 September, 10am – 12pm
Community Corner: Telehealth – Friday 29 September, 10am – 12pm
Pills, Potions and Poisonous Plants – Sunday 1 October, 2pm – 3:30pm
Blossom Crafts – Wednesday 4 October, 1pm – 3pm
Young Adult Movie Afternoon – Thursday 5 October, 3pm – 5pm
Among Us – Friday 6 October, 10:30am – 12pm
Sunday Craft Club: Cosplay Makerspace with 501st Legion – Sunday 8 October, 1pm
Nightingale Library Memorial 
Hours: Monday – Friday: 12pm – 4pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 1pm – 4pm
Stoke Library
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday: 10am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 10am – 1pm
Sunday: Closed
Museums and Galleries:
Broadgreen House and Samuels 
Rose Gardens
Winter hours: 12pm – 3pm Daily
Langbein Time – Thursday 16 February – Saturday 30 September, 10:30am – 4:30pm
Flower Dome Workshop – Sunday 24 September, 10:30am
The Suter Art Gallery & Theatre
Hours: 9:30am – 4:30pm Daily
Exhibition: A Time to Live - Meredith Thorpe – Monday 11 – Saturday 30 September, during opening hours
Exhibition: Gathered Voices – Highlights from the Fletcher Trust Collection – Thursday 31 August – Sunday 12 November, during opening hours
Exhibition: Night Life – Saturday 22 April – Sunday 8 October, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Exhibition: Nelson Suter Art Society – Saturday 16 September – Sunday 19 November, during opening hours
Refinery ArtSpace 
Hours: Monday – Friday from 10am – 5pm, Saturday from 10am – 2pm
Exhibition: Black Enough by Hope River – Monday 11 September – Saturday 14 October, during opening hours
Exhibition: MotherMother – Monday 11 September – Saturday 14 October, during opening hours
Exhibition: Beauty Has No Borders – Monday 11 September – Saturday 14 October, during opening hours
Exhibition: Invincible – Monday 18 September – Saturday 7 October, during opening hours
Nelson Provincial Museum 
Hours: Weekdays from 10am – 5pm, Weekends & Public Holidays from 10am – 4:30pm