Mayor's Message: Extra engagement on Plan Change 29

The large attendance at the Trafalgar Centre last week and opposition to proposed Plan Change 29 requires we pause and better engage with our community on the rules that will shape the future development in our city. It also reinforced to me how hard it is to resolve Nelson’s housing problem.

There is strong opposition to using more of the highly fertile Waimea Plains when horticulture is so important to the region’s economy. The Maitahi Bayview development, Plan Change 28, triggered the “Save the Maitai” campaign from people who wanted to protect its rural character.

Plan Change 29 proposes intensification, enabling more homes on existing sections and multi-storey townhouse and apartment developments. The concerns with intensification are that it comes with more shade, loss of views, less green space and the loss of older buildings.

Some people want to avoid these difficult choices by disputing the population projections for Nelson or wanting to stop growth. The population of Nelson-Tasman has been growing by about 1000 people a year for the 33 years I have been a local MP or Mayor. People are going to continue to move here because of our sunny climate, diverse industries, creative culture, natural environment, and safe and caring community.

Plan Change 29 is largely based on the Nelson Tasman Future Development Strategy that was adopted by the previous Council in August 2022. It detailed six-storey housing in residential areas such as behind the Cathedral, Nelson South and Central Stoke that is now causing so much angst. Public submissions were focused on the high-level strategy and were distracted by the controversy over the Maitai Valley. The effect on specific neighbourhoods was not adequately discussed. The community is not opposed to all high-rise apartments but want more thought into where they’re built.

I also worry that we are relying too much on digital communication and information. We need more face-to-face engagement. That is why I initiated Council having a monthly presence at the Nelson Market and the public meeting last week. We have extended the time for public submissions by six weeks until 31 October and will provide additional community info drop-in sessions.

Nelson is going to need to grow up and out to meet future housing needs. The way forward is getting intensification in the right place and formulating the right rules to ensure we get quality developments. We know we have lots of work to do to get this plan right.