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 last night (7 September) and a session at the Nelson Market last Saturday 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.