Mayor's Message: A year in reflection

This week, a year since our local elections, is a good time to reflect on progress. I am an old-fashioned democrat who, as much as possible, wants to be true to the commitments I made in seeking election.

My top priority was to lead an effective recovery from the August 2022 storm. We have fixed key infrastructure and successfully battled Government to secure, at $12.3 million, an equivalent offer of support as North Island storm-affected communities. We are building back better and tightening the planning rules to reduce future risks. The toughest part of the recovery work is the dozens of landslides and the last remaining 10 red-stickered properties. We have a plan for getting these sorted.

I committed to opposing the proposed $46 million library along the Maitai River. Council has shelved it. We have got on with fixing the ceiling tiles and structural problems in the Elma Turner Library, which will be fully reopened in early 2024.

I also committed to making progress on big issues such as housing and climate change. We have partnered with the community housing sector to get more affordable housing built. The eBus service, introduced on 1 August, is the most important step to date in reducing Nelson’s emissions.

A further ambition has been to lead a more collegial Council. Councillors are making a real effort to work together. The Deputy Mayor is proving to have wisdom beyond his years in helping to build a positive culture.

The most controversial issue of the 2022 local elections was the Government’s radical Three Waters Reform programme that had Nelson losing control of its $750 million of water infrastructure assets.
The previous Council supported the changes. I did not want Nelson having to help pick up the cost of billions to fix Wellington’s neglected infrastructure. It rubbed salt in the wound that the Government also wanted to dismember Council’s Nelmac business.

Our Council has been successful in advocating for changes to the Three Waters reform. We are now separated from Wellington and Nelmac is to be left alone. The decisions about the rest of the reform, including proposals for co-governance, will be decided by the outcome of the General Election.

My first year has not been all plain sailing. Plan Change 29 should have been consulted on better. We need to listen carefully to public submissions to get these important planning rules right.

The biggest surprise in my first year as Mayor is how many things Council does. I’m still learning and appreciative of the support of Council staff and the community. I’m determined to do all I can to help our city prosper in difficult times.