Our Nelson Issue 199 – 3 July 2024

Ngā mihi nui to the more than 10,000 people who came to celebrate the Māori New Year and Matariki festivities this past Friday at Trafalgar Park. Mānawatia a Matariki!

Next month contractors will begin work on slip sites around the Grampians. There are four slips that need to be remediated. 
Part One will begin from 8 July. This will be Slip 14 | Tukuka Street. This work is on part of the Grampians Lower Traverse and will require the entrance closure from Tukuka Street and Oaks Reserve.
Part Two will start from 15 July. The work will be between the Grampians and private properties on Allan Street. There will be increased activity in this area with trucks using Hampden Street to access the site. There will be no track closures for this part of the project. 

Carved tupu for Kī-o-rahi unveiled
Representatives from Nelson City Council, Whakatū Marae and others recently met at Queen Elizabeth II Reserve near the Miyazu Japanese Garden to unveil a tupu carved by Kaumātua Mark Davis that will be used for kī-o-rahi, a traditional Māori game.
Kī-o-rahi is played between two teams of seven on a circular field divided into zones. Players score points by first hitting any of seven pou (posts) on the outer zones with a kī (small ball) then hitting the tupu (central target).
The game stems from the legend of Rahitutakahina and Tiarakurapakewai, and learning this pūrākau (story) is a fundamental part of the game.
With a large focus on Te Ao Māori, kī-o-rahi enables players to develop a connection with Māori culture, language, and identity. The game also includes strong references to Matariki, with the seven outer pou each representing a star in the Matariki cluster.
The kī-o-rahi playing field and tupu are the first elements of the game to be set down. Further elements are still to come, including an interpretation board explaining the story and rules of kī-o-rahi and a system enabling people to borrow the play equipment from Whakatū Marae.
Nelson Long Term Plan 2024 – 2034 adopted 
Council has adopted the Long Term Plan 2024-2034 (LTP) with elected members voting unanimously to support it. Council also approved the 2024/25 schedule of fees and charges. 
The LTP includes an 8.2% average rates increase in the first year, alongside a $300 Storm Recovery Charge.  
“While the 2024/25 rate rise is lower than most other councils around the country, I’m very conscious that this average 8.2% increase comes at a time when households and businesses are already under huge financial pressure,” says Nelson Mayor Nick Smith.  
“The single biggest driver of the increase is the cost of infrastructure. Over the next decade, Council plans to spend $523 million on wastewater, drinking water, stormwater and flood protection infrastructure, and a further $303 million on roads and other transport infrastructure. We would be doing Nelson residents a disservice if we pulled back on these investments. 
“The storm recovery charge is to cover the $87.2 million estimated cost to Council of the August 2022 storm, net of the $26.3 million we have secured in support from Government. It is the cost of fixing the damage and building back better.” 
Titled Beyond the Storm - Kei tua i te āwhā, the LTP contains key issues that elected members decided on. 
Buyout of Private Properties affected by slips 
Elected members agreed to accept the Central Government buy-out support offer, which will now be used to purchase up to 17 slip affected properties, and to apply amended eligibility buy-out principles. 
The principles now include residential properties that are not the primary residence of an owner as well as the primary residence of an owner. 
Percentage value payouts for primary residences will be to a maximum of 95% of valuation if insured and 80% if uninsured. All valuations will be taken from before the August 2022 weather event. 
Percentage value payouts for non-primary residences will be to a maximum of 95% of their valuation if insured and 80% if uninsured. This payout will be taken from remaining funds once all eligible primary residence properties are confirmed, and Council valuations obtained. 
If the potential payout to insured non-primary residence properties falls below 80% of valuation, Council can re-assess the application of the eligibility buy-out principles to ensure an equitable outcome. 
Council's approach to forestry 
Elected members agreed to the option to exit commercial forestry over time. Council received over 1000 submissions commenting on the issue with a strong majority in favour of exiting commercial forestry. 
Marina CCO proposal 
Council has agreed to establish an Asset-Owning Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) for the Nelson Marina by 1 July 2025. This approach will set it up in a way to best deliver the Nelson Marina Masterplan, while maintaining 100% Council ownership of the CCO. 
Housing Reserve 
Elected members agreed to broaden the purpose of the Housing Reserve Fund to enable it to be used to provide enduring support to reduce housing vulnerability in line with submissions from the public. 
All-weather sports turf 
Council decided not to proceed with the proposal to build a new all-weather sports turf and agreed instead to retain proposals in the Long Term Plan 2021-2031 to improve lighting and drainage at sports fields across Nelson. Submissions to this key issue were divided in terms of support for the all-weather sports turf. 
Facilities at Tāhunanui Beach for Nelson Surf Life Saving Club 
Council agreed to support construction of a new facility for the Nelson Surf Life Saving Club and upgrade the changing facilities at the sports ground in line with the majority of public submissions. Council decided to cap its capital funding contribution to the new lifesaving facility at either $1.65 million or 50% of the total capital costs (whichever is the lesser amount) with the rest of costs to be covered by the club.   
Arts Hub 
Council has agreed to purchase an existing building and establish an arts hub. The majority of approximately 900 submissions commenting on the issue supported the initiative and an amendment means that the purchase can take place sooner than planned.
Fees and charges 
There will be an increase of 17.7% for solid waste charges at the Nelson Waste Recovery Centre. This has been brought in to match the increase set by the Nelson Tasman Regional Landfill Business Unit (NTRLBU).
There will also be some changes to Library fees. Visit the library website for full details.  
The full Long Term Plan document will be available by the end of July, visit nelson.govt.nz for more information and to see all the changes to fees and charges.
shape.nelson.govt.nz/long-term-plan-2024-2034

Waterfront redevelopment sets sail
A collaborative approach will be the key to revitalising Nelson’s waterfront.
Nelson City Council’s Waterfront Redevelopment Taskforce has met for the first time, and its Chair, Councillor Mel Courtney, says they want a whole-of-community approach.
“There has already been a great deal of interest from the public about how the waterfront along Wakefield Quay and Haven Road should be revitalised.
“This should come as no surprise—Nelson is a seaside city with a beautiful waterfront, and we all want to make the most of this stunning feature.
“We want everyone involved in this journey with us—from individuals and community groups to businesses, investors and our iwi sisters and brothers,” he says.
The Taskforce is responsible for strengthening the link between the city and the Haven Precinct and will complement the work of the City Revitalisation Taskforce.
Both were established after the City Revitalisation Summit held in March 2024 where attendees expressed a strong desire for the city and waterfront to be revitalised.
Mayor Nick Smith says it’s about building on that momentum and turning the ideas into action.
“I was involved 20 years ago in the development of the Early Settlers’ Memorial, the Seafarers’ Memorial and The Styx building, but the surrounding area is crying out for redevelopment. We need to determine the fate of the Council-owned Power House, Anchor, former Four Seasons and Reliance Engineering buildings that have been vacant for years,” he says.
Joining Councillor Courtney on the Taskforce are councillors Campbell Rollo, Tim Skinner, Pete Rainey, Matthew Benge and Mayor Nick (ex officio).
A representative from Port Nelson, which is a vital partner in the redevelopment work, will also join the Taskforce.

Meeting
Council meeting
9am	4 Jul
Joint Committee of Tasman District and Nelson City Councils
9.30am	9 Jul
Joint Nelson Tasman Regional Transport Committee - Tasman District Council Chamber, 189 Queen Street, Richmond - to deliberate on submissions to Joint Speed Management Plan
12.30pm	9 Jul
Regional Pest Management Joint Committee - Tasman District Council Chamber, 189 Queen Street, Richmond – Deliberation of submissions to Partial Review of Regional Pest Management Plan 2019-2029 will be an item on the agenda
9.30am	11 Jul
Joint Committee of Tasman District and Nelson City Councils
10.30am	23 Jul
Activities in Public Places Consultation Panel - to hear submissions (if required)
1pm and 9am	24 and 25 Jul
Hearing Panel
9am	26 Jul
Change to meeting
Civil Defence Emergency Management Group - Emergency Operations Centre, 28 Oxford Street, Richmond – previously advertised to commence at 9.30am
9am	23 Jul