Our Nelson Issue 193 – 10 April 2024

How to muzzle a dog for the eBus 
Do dogs mind wearing a muzzle? 
Most dogs, once they’re muzzle trained, don't mind having muzzles on at all. It's just really about getting them comfortable wearing it before just sticking one on their face. 
How do you get your dog used to wearing 
a muzzle? 
To get a dog used to wearing a muzzle, you can hold the muzzle in one hand and drop some treats through the end of the muzzle. This gets the dog used to putting their own head into the muzzle, and that helps them form a positive association with the muzzle as they're getting treats. 
If your dog is reluctant to put her nose into the muzzle, you can start by showing her the muzzle and giving her a wee treat just for being close to it. And then, over time, you build up your duration, or how long you ask your dog to keep her nose in the muzzle, and continue to reward with treats, praise and encouragement.
What are the best types of muzzles? 
There are many different types of muzzles out there. The best 
ones are basket muzzles that allow your dog to open their mouth and pant as that regulates their body temperature. You want to avoid the cloth muzzles that hold the dog's mouth shut as that doesn't allow them to breathe and pant. 
What should I do if I’m nervous to take my dog on the bus for the first time? 
Spend some time in as many similar situations as you can before riding on the bus. Take your dog to the bus stop with their muzzle and get them used to being around people and the bus, or if you've got access to a vehicle, get them used to being muzzled in a moving vehicle, and so on. 
When you do go for a ride on the bus, make sure you have plenty of treats with you and give your dog lots of praise and encouragement. 
What are some misconceptions about dogs 
and muzzles? 
Some misconceptions about muzzles are that they're only for aggressive dogs or bad dogs, when in fact, many different dogs wear them for many, many different reasons. 
Why else might you muzzle train your dog? 
Aside from muzzle training for the bus trial, some of the reasons you may muzzle train are if your dog is prone to eating things that they shouldn't, they're scared, it's unpredictable how they'll react if they get sick or injured. 
shape.nelson.govt.nz/ebus/pets-passengers

ANZAC Day 
Thursday 25 April 2024
We will remember them. 
Lest we forget.
ANZAC Dawn Service 
ANZAC Park, Nelson, 5.30am– 7.00am
March will assemble at the new starting position on Para Para Road (Trafalgar Centre car park) then progresses to Anzac Park for the traditional dawn service. This is a free event, but donations to RSA via the national poppy appeal will be taken.
ANZAC Wreath Laying Ceremonies
Led by Nelson RSA, these short commemoration ceremonies are an opportunity for people to gather and reflect in a personal and more private way. This is a free event, but donations to RSA via the national poppy appeal will be taken. No bookings required. Times and locations: 
8.00am – 8.15am at Wakapuaka Servicemen’s Cemetery
8.30am – 8.45am at Queen’s Gardens, Boer War Statue
9.00am – 9.15am at Pikimai War Memorial, Cathedral Hill
10.00 – 10.30am at Marsden Valley Servicemen’s Cemetery
Nelson/Stoke Civic Anzac Service 
Nayland College, 11.00am – 12.00pm
This is a free event, but donations to RSA via the national poppy appeal will be taken. 

My Time, My Life is back!
After a great kick-off in 2023, we present two more hobby-fairs this year. 
Saturday 27 April, 11am – 3pm, Founders Heritage Park
Saturday 17 August, 11am – 3pm, Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre
Arts and crafts, sports, gardening, singing or yoga – this is your opportunity to try something new and make new connections! My Time, My Life is a celebration of all the things that bring joy to your spare time. Don’t miss out on the chance to connect with others, discover new hobbies, and explore the vibrant community around you.
Stall application
We're still seeking applications for groups/exhibitors who want to be part of this exciting event! If you're eager to showcase your hobby and host a free stall, we want to hear from you. We have extended our application period to 19 April 2024. To find out more, visit shape.nelson.govt.nz/my-time-my-life 

Brook Street buyout complete
Council has purchased 10 properties in the Brook Street area that were at risk from slips originating from public land following the severe rainfall in August 2022, and further significant rainfall in May 2023.
Council originally planned to remediate three slips from public land affecting private properties as part of the $17.3 million slip repair package approved in May 2023.
This plan changed following further rainfall and geotechnical investigations that meant proposed fixes were no longer fit for purpose and the likelihood of these slips reactivating had increased.
The cost to purchase all properties was approximately $6.7 million.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says negotiations required a lot of sensitivity and empathy from Council staff.
“This was a very difficult situation where Council received professional geotechnical advice that these homes may be impacted by future major weather events and that the cost of stabilising the landslides from Council land exceeded the properties’ values. 
This was even more of a shock in that many of these properties were not directly damaged during the August 2022 storm.
“I am hugely relieved that we have been able to amicably resolve this awful predicament within six months on all 10 properties without any protracted legal disputes. I am very proud of the Council team’s professionalism and the goodwill of the homeowners in getting this matter resolved so quickly.”
All dwellings are being offered for sale for relocation, by tender. This will close by the end of April.
Once that process is complete, land will be cleared of remaining buildings. A bund with stormwater controls will be built at the bottom of the properties to protect Council services, Brook Street and properties across the street. 
Finally, the land will be planted out so it can revert to a natural state, possibly being vested as a part of the Tantragee Reserve.

Sunday Hole boardwalk 
We're upgrading the Sunday Hole boardwalk!
The Maitai Shared Path around Sunday Hole is a popular track for recreation, but the track is too narrow, and a culvert was washed away in the August 2022 floods.
Work to widen the track and repair the culvert began on 8 April. This will require the closure of this section of the pathway. Please follow onsite signage directions. The work is expected to be completed by early June, weather dependent.

Two buildings with one stone: indicative business case unveiled for combined library, community hub and civic centre 
A transformative vision for the future of Whakatū Nelson was unveiled at a City Centre revitalisation summit held at the Trafalgar Centre on Tuesday 26 March, outlining a strategic case for investing in a new library and community hub, combined with a new civic centre to replace Civic House. 
Faced with the costly and pressing reality of the increasing costs in maintaining Elma Turner Library and Civic House, both of which are nearing the end of their useable life, Council’s proposed solution tackles multiple issues in one concerted effort. 
By combining a new library and community hub with civic offices, elected member facilities, and a customer service centre, this plan offers a strategic blend of innovation and practicality that endeavours to enhance service delivery, modernise essential infrastructure, and revitalise the city centre.
The indicative business case, produced by TwentyTwo Independent Property Advisers Limited, and options presented, underscore the urgency and potential inherent in pushing forward with a new civic investment, says Nigel Philpott, Nelson City Council Chief Executive. 
“We have a major challenge in respect of the facilities of both Nelson’s Civic House and Elma Turner Library. We have recently strengthened the library, extending its life by five to 10 years but a new facility will be required,” says Philpott. “Civic House requires major refurbishment or replacement and has not had any significant investment for 30 years. 
“We are releasing this report to provide transparency on one of the options – a combined library and civic centre. There is a long runway for projects of this scale with much more work to be done on this and other potential options before any decisions are made. Any proposal needs to have broad community support and we would engage further before any decisions are taken."
Drawing inspiration from successful initiatives in other communities like Taupo, Napier, and Ashburton, as well as developments closer to home in Motueka, Blenheim and Picton, the proposed project aims to create more than just a community library. By providing multifunctional spaces and modern amenities such as a sound studio and gaming centre, which were extremely popular with young people in Ashburton, the envisioned hub seeks to become a cornerstone of civic life.
The 2024–2034 Draft Long Term Plan retains the $65 million (uninflated) currently provisioned for a new library, community hub and refurbished civic centre. 
This project, if supported by the community after a full consultation process, would require an additional $20 million in the Council’s Long Term Plan over and above the $65 million for the previous Library proposal and existing budget provision for refurbishing Civic House. 
The extra impact of the further $20 million would have no impact on rates until Year 5 (2029/30) and Year 6 and would be modest if funded over a long period that is appropriate for an intergenerational asset.
Funding allocated to Tāhunanui sawdust remediation
At the 4 April Council meeting, elected members voted to approve additional funding of up to $85,000 to continue short-term measures to contain the contaminated sawdust material at the Tāhunanui Back Beach.
They also approved funding of up to $275,000 for planning, design, and pre-construction work for the long-term remediation solution. Of this, up to $133,666 is expected to be claimed from the Ministry for the Environment approved funding for planning and design.

Meetings
Council meeting
1pm	11 Apr
Saxton Field Committee - Heaphy and Wangapeka Rooms, Tasman District Council, 189 Queen Street, Richmond
9.30am	16 Apr
Joint Shareholders Committee - Tasman District Council Chamber, 189 Queen Street, Richmond
9.30am	16 Apr
Joint Nelson Tasman Regional Transport Committee - to deliberate on submissions to Regional Land Transport and Regional Public Transport Plans - Tasman District Council Chamber, 189 Queen Street, Richmond
9.30am	17 Apr
Joint Nelson Tasman Regional Transport Committee - to hear submissions to Joint Speed Management Plan (if required) - Tasman District Council Chamber, 189 Queen Street, Richmond
9.30am	29 Apr

A full list of meetings for 2024 are available on the Council’s website: nelson.govt.nz/council/council-structure/council-meetings