Our Nelson Issue 179 
27 September 2023 

Nelson City Council to host Plan Change 29 community meetings
Council will host a series of informative neighbourhood meetings and an online webinar aimed at engaging the community in discussions about Plan Change 29. 
These meetings, chaired by elected members, will provide residents with the opportunity to learn more about the proposed changes for their individual neighbourhoods, ask questions, and find out more about the submissions process. In addition to these meetings, Council planners will be available at specific times and days at the region’s libraries to meet one-on-one with people who have questions.
Plan Change 29 overview
The proposed changes are being made in response to population growth, demand for housing in the region, and to fulfil 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 over the next 30-50 years. Proposed Plan Change 29 focuses on intensification, aiming to accommodate much of Whakatū Nelson’s future growth through redevelopment within existing urban areas rather than expanding into a diminishing supply of greenfield sites.
As well as changes to help address Nelson’s existing housing challenges, the plan change proposes updates related to heritage and natural hazards. The proposed changes aim to provide more housing opportunities and flexibility within Nelson’s existing urban areas, giving homeowners and developers more choice in how they build. The proposed plan change also provides opportunity for papakāinga development by Māori and for Māori.
Community involvement
Residents are encouraged to attend the meetings or drop-in sessions during September and October to hear what the proposed changes will mean for different locations in Nelson. The neighbourhood meetings are divided into suburb areas so people can choose the location(s) relevant to them.
Large, printed maps will be used to highlight the specific geographic areas that will be spoken about in the meetings.
These workshops will build on the engagement work that Council has done in recent years on the Nelson Plan, natural hazards, and the Nelson Tasman Future Development Strategy, adding to the feedback already received from community, iwi and stakeholder engagement and consultation between 2014 and 2020 as part of a multi-year process to develop strategies for adapting to Nelson’s changing needs.
Community involvement is essential to the success of Plan Change 29. People are encouraged to come along and engage directly with Council representatives, planners, and experts to gain a better understanding of the proposed changes.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says these are big changes to Nelson’s planning rules, and these extra meetings and drop-in sessions are about enabling greater public involvement.
“These neighbourhood meetings are so people can better understand what Plan Change 29 means for their local community,” says Mayor Nick. “There will be both elected members and planning staff to explain what Plan Change 29 means and how they can shape it through submissions.”
Meetings and drop-in sessions
Wednesday 27 September, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Nelson South neighbourhood meeting 
Victory Community Centre
Thursday 28 September, 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Nelson drop-in session with Council planners 
Elma Turner Library
Wednesday 4 October, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Nelson Central neighbourhood meeting 
Location TBD
Thursday 5 October, 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Nelson drop-in session with Council planners
Elma Turner Library
Tuesday 10 October, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Tāhunanui neighbourhood meeting
Tāhunanui School Hall
Thursday 12 October, 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Tāhunanui drop-in session with Council planners
Tāhunanui School Hall
Thursday 12 October, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Atawhai/Nelson North neighbourhood meeting
Clifton Terrace School Hall
Wednesday 18 October, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Zoom webinar, recorded
Live online and then hosted as link after
“We encourage all residents, property owners, and community groups to ensure you are sufficiently informed about the proposed changes then make a submission by 31 October,” says Mandy Bishop, Group Manager Environmental Management.
“Your feedback is crucial in shaping the future of Nelson. Whether you have specific questions or simply want to learn more about Plan Change 29, the meetings provide an excellent opportunity to get information and be clear on how you can help us get the right rules in the right place.
“We look forward to continuing to engage with the Whakatū Nelson community and working together to shape a brighter future for our city.”
Can’t attend a meeting in person?
For those unable to attend the neighbourhood meetings in person, there are additional ways to participate and share your feedback online. An online webinar will be held on 18 October that will be available afterwards to watch online for those that can’t make the session.
To stay up to date on Plan Change 29 and the neighbourhood meetings, please visit shape.nelson.govt.nz/plan-change-29 and follow Nelson City Council on social media.
Tirohanga Whānui Park opening
Nelson City Council Kaumāta Luke Katu and Melanie McGregor led karakia for the opening of Tirohanga Whānui Park atop Bayview Drive Friday 15 September 2023.
The name was offered by Ngāti Koata Kaumātua Committee and translates to "majestic views". It also serves as a metaphor for the visionary aspirations of youth and a call to look beyond one's immediate horizons.
Mayor Nick Smith, Councillor James Hodgson, and staff from Nelson City Council and Nelmac attended the ceremony.
The park features an accessible swing, rope course, monkey bars, picnic tables, benches, a slide, height-adjustable basketball hoop, drinking fountain, fruit trees, and easily one of the best views in Whakatū Nelson overlooking the Boulder Bank and Tasman Bay.
If visiting, please park along Bay View Road away from the roundabout, as there are residents and builders who require access to driveways and worksites.

Bridge to Better – revitalising Nelson’s city centre
When it comes to Nelson’s city centre, what does ‘better’ look like for you?
An extended programme of community engagement commenced last week (22 September 2023) for a major infrastructure project in the Inner City that will provide capacity for hundreds of city centre homes, build the resilience of Nelson’s three waters infrastructure, and revitalise Bridge Street.
Supported by $36.4M of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, the Bridge to Better project has $32M funding from Nelson City Council already budgeted in the 2021-31 Long Term Plan. Council may need to consider bringing forward and refining existing budgets in the Long Term Plan 2024-34 to progress the work and to consider increased construction costs of up to $12 million.  
Bridge to Better will involve:
Construction of a water supply ring main along Bridge Street, Rutherford Street, Halifax Street and Collingwood Street.
A new stormwater main along Bridge Street and Haven Road, associated green infrastructure to increase stormwater capacity, and a new flood gate at Saltwater Creek, which will reduce the impact of king tides at Wakatu carpark.
A wastewater pump station upgrade on Paru Paru Road and renewal/upgrade of Rutherford Street, Achilles Avenue and Bridge Street wastewater infrastructure.
Transformation of Bridge Street and Haven Road into a people-focused corridor, with more green places, more places to socialise, a more sustainable commercial environment and more transport choices.
“This project involves huge investment in our central city infrastructure to reduce the flooding of Wakatu Square Carpark during high tides and upgrade our water and sewerage networks to enable new multi-storey residential and commercial developments,” says Nelson Mayor Nick Smith.
“This underground work also offers an opportunity to redesign the Bridge Street corridor. I want the Council and consultants working closely on the design with retailers and property owners so as to manage the disruption during construction and deliver a revitalised space for the city’s future.”
Urban design experts Boffa Miskell have been awarded the contract following a competitive tender process to lead the project design from the initial concept to the final stages alongside their consortium team comprising of engineering consultants Beca and transport design company Abley.
“Primarily, this is about more people spending more time in our city centre by increasing the number of people who live there and creating places that are a lot nicer to spend time in” says Group Manager Infrastructure Alec Louverdis.
“More city centre residents will mean livelier streets throughout the week, which will also bring about many new business opportunities. It will also positively affect emissions as people are provided more transport choices, including making walking easier.
“We want to take the right amount of time to have conversations with our community about what they want to see in their city centre. What are the values that we all share that can be reflected in this project?”
Looking after our retailers
Retail specialist Chris Wilkinson from First Retail Group will look after Bridge Street retailers throughout this phase of the project.
“Council have been clear that they want to work closely with retailers, businesses and property owners on Bridge Street so they can minimise disruption once construction starts,” says Chris.
“Perhaps more importantly though, there is a positive story to tell here about how this work will bring new life to one of Nelson’s most characterful streets.
“We’re in place to nurture a good relationship between Council and Bridge Street businesses ensuring they are prepared for change and that all can benefit once work is complete. First Retail Group Ltd has worked on many successful projects at the same scale including the city centre upgrade in Queenstown, the Lower Hutt Riverlink project, and many similar projects overseas.
“We’re seeing a significant shift towards these types of spaces in areas with similar climates and audiences that Nelson enjoys.”
What’s happening next?
The first phase of engagement lasts from 22 September to the end of February. During the first few months of this phase, the engagement team will be hosting meetings for a wide variety of stakeholder groups. From retailers, older adults, and youth representatives right through to civic institutions such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Suter Gallery, we will be out in the community talking about the Bridge Street project and collating people’s values and ideas.
All this early feedback will be considered by Boffa Miskell as they work on the concept design, which is due for completion early 2024. Once the design is in place, Council will hold a four-to-six-week period of engagement where anyone can provide feedback.
Everything people will need to know will be hosted at: shape.nelson.govt.nz/bridge-better

Help plant Nelson’s hanging baskets
Council is looking for volunteers who would like to help plant the hanging baskets that bring a splash of colour to our city centre each summer.
About 700 baskets will be planted in total and installed in late November/early December.
There are seven sessions that will take place at the Nelmac Nursery on Atawhai Drive next to Whakatū Marae and Miyazu Japanese Gardens.
The session times are:
Monday 9 October, 9.30am – 11.30am and 1pm – 3pm
Tuesday 10 October, 9.30am – 11.30am and
1pm – 3pm
Wednesday 11 October, 9.30am – 11.30am and 
1pm – 3pm
Thursday 12 October, 9.30am – 12pm
All you need to bring are your own gloves.
 The 90-minute sessions will see you planting petunias, impatiens and geraniums. Nursery staff will be on-hand to help and give advice if needed.
If you would like to volunteer as a hanging basket planter, call Council Customer Services on 
03 546 0200 to register.

Government recovery funding
Nelson City Council elected members agreed in principle to a cost-sharing package with central government to support recovery from the severe weather event in August 2022. 
The agreement in principle is subject to an officer’s report outlining the implications and future cost to Council, which will be considered before a final decision is made at the next Council meeting on 19 October 2023.
Central government has offered up to $12.3 million in a package of recovery measures including up to $6 million as a 50% contribution to support the buyout of up to 14 properties where the landslide risk is too high for those property owners to return to their homes and the cost to mitigate is prohibitive.
Other commitments include:
Up to $6 million for the betterment of slips on Council-owned land
A lump sum of $300,000 to monitor the Tāhunanui Slump
An accommodation allowance available to families experiencing financial hardship due to paying a mortgage on a home they cannot live in where insurance-funded support has run out
“The properties severely affected by landslides pose a difficult problem because the cost of making them safe exceeds their value,” says Nelson Mayor Nick Smith. “The affected families are in an impossible position and cannot move forward with their lives, and we risk the areas being left derelict for years. This 50/50 cost-sharing agreement between Council and government offers a pragmatic solution.
“This is a good, fair deal that enables us to take another step on the road to recovery. My objectives for Nelson’s storm recovery work are that we fix and resolve the damage as quickly as possible, that we ensure greater resilience to future events, and that we manage the costs to ratepayers by maximising the support from Government. This package helps achieve all three.”