Latest news with #NelsonCityCouncil
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Nelson Pre-Election Report Released As Nominations Open
Open for business, fiscally responsible and a good custodian of our environment, Nelson City Council has outlined its position to potential candidates and voters in the 2025 Local Elections in its Pre-Election Report released on Monday, 7 July. Nominations for the 2025 election opened on Friday 4 July and close at noon on 1 August 2025. People who want to stand as Mayor or as a Councillor need to fill out the forms linked below. Chief Executive Nigel Philpott says Council must evolve to ensure it meets the expectations of its community now and in the future. 'As a city, and as a Council, we are open for business—not just in what we say, but in how we operate,' he says. 'We're actively working to reduce barriers in support of growth and innovation and create an environment where enterprise and community can thrive in a sustainable way. At the same time, we need to take a leadership role in our community's drive to reduce climate change emissions and make sound choices about some important investment decisions.' The report sets out Council's financial and strategic position, along with the opportunities and challenges that are anticipated in the next triennium. 'I encourage you to read this report—whether you're considering standing for Council, preparing to vote, or simply interested in Nelson's future – as its purpose is to set out an accurate picture of Council that can inform political debate in the election run-up.' The election will take place while Council staff continue work to deliver our Shaping Our Future programme. Shaping Our Future is about Council doing things differently—ensuring that our services and processes work effectively for Nelson — not just for today, but for the years ahead. As part of this, we are looking at how we can create a future-proofed Council that is more efficient, adaptable, and focused on delivering the best possible services to our community. 'As Council has grown into a large and complex organisation managing more than $2.5 billion of assets, so too has the expectation placed upon it,' says Nigel. 'Council's role is to act as a good custodian of our existing assets, providing value for money and excellent services. We will invest in our city where there is a strong strategic need to do so, but we will also seek to improve and maintain what we already have while maintaining a particular focus on keeping our costs under control.' One of the most significant investment decisions on the horizon is how Council addresses the condition of Elma Turner Library and Civic House. Both buildings are vital public assets that are at the end of their lives, making them increasingly more expensive to maintain. 'These buildings have inherent limitations compared to modern facilities and are no longer fit-for-purpose in their current form,' says Nigel. 'Elma Turner Library—originally a repurposed car showroom made up of an assortment of extensions, some dating back to the 1950s—has required costly interim strengthening works,' says Nigel. 'If ageing systems in Civic House or the Library were to fail this would result in large unbudgeted capital expenditure at short notice and the buildings would not be able to be occupied until systems were restored. 'The solutions aren't straightforward, but they are achievable. Public consultation will be a key part of determining how we respond to these legacy infrastructure challenges in a way that balances cost, risk, and long-term value for our community.' To do this most effectively, Council is considering a new approach for the next Long Term Plan that would cap our planned budgets and place greater emphasis on maintaining and renewing the assets we already have to ensure we develop an achievable and affordable ten year work programme. Forms required to stand for Mayor or as a councillor in the 2025 election. To find out everything you need to know about standing as an elected member or voting in the 2025 Local Elections please visit our website:
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Last 50 Years Of Nelson Council Go Down In History
Nelson City Council's history has been turned into a trilogy with the launch of a new volume documenting its last 50 years. For its 50th and 100th anniversaries, the council had commissioned histories of the preceding 50 years. In 2023, the council agreed to write a third to mark its sesquicentenary – or 150th anniversary. That latest instalment, Welcome to Whakatū Nelson City Council 1974–2024, was launched on Thursday afternoon at the Elma Turner Library. Written by local historian Dr Paul Christoffel, the book covers everything from the council's acceptance of Melrose House as a gift in 1975 to the public consultation on its controversial housing intensification in 2024. It was Christoffel's first foray into documenting the history of local government and he said it was 'bloody hard work'. 'When I came into this, I thought, 'oh, it's only 50 years, that won't be such a big deal'. But what I gradually discovered was the enormous amount of stuff that councils do, it's just quite phenomenal.' It took him about 18 months to write – 'quite a short space of time' in terms of history books – and he said 'an awful lot' had to be left out. One such piece of information that wasn't featured in the book, but had captured Christoffel's attention, was one radio segment featuring then-council officer Pat Dougherty, who would, years later, become the council's chief executive. Dougherty had gone on the radio to defend the council's plans to build Tantragee Water Treatment Plant from callers opposed to the plan when he heard a familiar voice. 'He said: 'is that you, Peter?'' Christoffel said. 'He recognized his voice, even though he didn't say who he was, and it was the former mayor, Peter Malone!' Though once controversial at the time, the construction of the water treatment plant is one such achievement lauded within the history book and was a key highlight for Mayor Nick Smith. 'The most striking feature for me on this issue is just how much our city has progressed over the last 50 years,' Smith said. He reflected on how, in 1974, the city's water was rationed and regarded as some of the worst in the country. However, with the construction of the Maitai Dam and the water treatment plant, Nelson's water was now 'some of the best and most secure in the country', Smith said. '[The book] is actually an important reflection on the people, the projects, and the progress that our city has made.' However, he added that the book had nearly not happened, with it being deemed 'hardly a priority' following the August 2022 storm event. Had it not been for the advocacy of the Nelson Historical Society and the City of Nelson Civic Trust, Smith wouldn't have renewed the idea which was eventually unanimously supported by the council. Councillor Mel Courtney, who also sat on the council during its centenary celebrations 50 years ago, thought it was important to chronicle the past. 'Documenting council's rich history gives us a sense of who we are, where we came from, and where we're going,' he said. About $175,000, including $20,000 from the City of Nelson Civic Trust, went towards the council's anniversary commemorations, with most of the funds contributing to the book. Welcome to Whakatū Nelson City Council 1974–2024 is available for issue at Nelson's public libraries or to purchase from local independent bookstore Page & Blackmore, and will be made available as an ebook. 'It inspires the next generation to make good decisions, to further build the city's unique character, and make sure that Nelson is the best little city, in the best little country, in the world,' Smith said.
RNZ News
26-06-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Nelson's Glider Road closed indefinitely over safety concerns
Glider Road remains closed to all vehicle and recreation access for safety reasons. Photo: Supplied / Nelson City Council A road in Nelson used to access the Barnicoat Range has been closed indefinitely over safety concerns. Nelson City Council said Glider Road has been closed to all vehicle and recreation access, after significant and unstable slips were identified above and below the road. It was originally a farm track, that had been upgraded for forestry access and was now used by people wanting to access the hang gliding take off zone and several mountain biking and walking trails. Infrastructure group manager Alec Louverdis said there had been a number of minor slips on the road in the last decade, but heavy rain in May caused several issues and it had commissioned a geotechnical report to gain a better understanding of them. He said the road was incredibly steep and was exposed to rain, sun, and wind. Recent heavy rain meant it had been closed more often that it was open. "[The] council wants to make it clear to the public, nearby residents and recreational users of Glider Road that we understand the significance of this situation." Louverdis said it was working with the Hang Glider Club and other recreational groups about alternative access. "All possible solutions will be evaluated from a cost and time perspective before remedial works are considered and we ask for patience as we work through this process." The Involution track remains open along with surrounding tracks including Scout Track, Widdershins, Piwakawaka and the Loop/Weir tracks. Louverdis said work was planned over coming months to fix some of the smaller water related issues on the lower tracks.
RNZ News
26-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Nelson Hospital ditches coal now heating fully powered by landfill gas
Nelson Hospital. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Nelson Hospital is not burning coal this winter for the first time since the late 1800s, with its hot water and heating now fully powered by landfill gas. The chimney tower of the hospital's coal boiler, which was deemed earthquake-prone almost 10 years ago, is being dismantled after further investment in the York Valley Landfill meant enough methane was being captured to meet the hospital's needs. The hospital has been using a mix of coal and landfill gas for heating since 2002. It comes after community groups and individuals petitioned the Nelson City Council and former Nelson Marlborough District Health Board for years to end industrial coal use in the region. In 2019, Nelson GP Dr Ngaire Warner called on the health board to stop burning coal, given the environmental and health concerns it posed. She said it was "long overdue" but she was delighted that Nelson Hospital was no longer burning fossil fuels. "It's ironic and really quite disheartening that a health facility continued to burn a fuel well known to have a negative impact on the health of individuals and our wider community for such a long time," Dr Warner said. "There is extensive research showing that coal burning contributes to lung disease and respiratory illnesses, so every small change that corporations can implement to the reduce the burden of disease in our community is a win for everyone." In 2003, open fires were banned in Nelson and tough regulations on woodburner use were introduced from 2010 to improve the city's air quality as it struggled to comply with national air quality standards. Nelson's mayor Nick Smith said end of coal use at the hospital would make a big difference to the city's greenhouse gas emissions and reduce particulate pollution to a negligible level. "Nelson South was one of the most polluted areas anywhere in New Zealand 20 years ago and council's made a big effort in reducing the number of log burners. So, it's improved hugely, but the coal burnt at the hospital remained the largest source of particulate pollution." Nelson mayor Nick Smith. Photo: Max Frethey / LDR He said the chimney also posed a seismic risk and in a large earthquake, was at risk of collapsing onto Waimea Road, disrupting access on one of the main arterial routes to the city and access to the hospital. It had been issued with an earthquake-prone building notice in 2019 which required it to have seismic work completed by 2028. In 2023, Te Whatu Ora Health NZ applied for consent from the Nelson City Council to burn up to 4000 tonnes of coal a year, for another seven years, to heat and power its buildings. This was despite the government aiming to phase out the boilers in hospitals by the end of 2025. Health NZ later withdrew the application, and Smith said it had agreed to work with the council to increase the use of landfill gas to meet its heating and electricity needs. The Nelson Hospital chimney tower is being deconstructed, after the hospital switched to using landfill gas to meet its hot water and heating demands. Photo: Supplied / Te Whatu Ora Health NZ Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council, through the Nelson Tasman Regional Landfill Business Unit (NTRLBU), jointly invested $2.4 million in the landfill in recent years. An additional 69 gas wells had been installed that had tripled the amount of methane collected at the landfill, along with a new compressor and chiller system and upgrades to the pipes to the furnace at the hospital. Of that investment, Smith said $800,000 had been spent on buying the rights to capture the landfill gas from Pioneer Energy along with the pipeline, the boilers and pumps. NTRLBU now sells landfill gas to Health NZ and Smith said it expected that 2 million cubic metres of landfill gas would be used by the hospital each year, amounting to about 40 percent of the gas recovered from the landfill. Smith said Nelson's total greenhouse gas emissions were 260,000 tonne CO2 equivalent per year and the end of coal use at the hospital meant that had been reduced by around a third (80,000 tonne CO2e a year). The contract between the council and Health NZ to use landfill gas expires next April, and Smith said the two organisations were in the process of negotiating a new contract. "The preferred outcome would be to continue to use the landfill gas, but that will need to be worked through with Health New Zealand," Smith said. Health Minister Simeon Brown said in May a new energy centre would be built to house critical hospital infrastructure as part of the hospital's $500 million redevelopment, but Health NZ said it was "too soon" to comment on whether it would use landfill gas or what it would look like. Te Whatu Ora Te Waipounamu regional head of infrastructure Dr Rob Ojala said coal had been burnt at Nelson Hospital since the late 1800s, and the current boiler house and chimney were built in 1959 to replace a previous boiler house. As part of its transition to cleaner energy, the deconstruction of the Nelson Hospital chimney began five weeks ago and was estimated to take around two months, with about five meters of concrete crushed each day. The work was expected to cost around $300,000 and was funded through EECA's State Sector Decarbonisation Fund. Ojala said the boilers would now burn landfill gas, with diesel as a backup fuel if needed. Consent to use landfill gas sat with NTRLBU, who own the main boiler, and Ojala said the plan was for ownership to change to Health NZ at a later date. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Nelson Hospital's heating fully powered by landfill gas
Nelson Hospital. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Nelson Hospital is not burning coal this winter for the first time since the late 1800s, with its hot water and heating now fully powered by landfill gas. The chimney tower of the hospital's coal boiler, which was deemed earthquake-prone almost 10 years ago, is being dismantled after further investment in the York Valley Landfill meant enough methane was being captured to meet the hospital's needs. The hospital has been using a mix of coal and landfill gas for heating since 2002. It comes after community groups and individuals petitioned the Nelson City Council and former Nelson Marlborough District Health Board for years to end industrial coal use in the region. In 2019, Nelson GP Dr Ngaire Warner called on the health board to stop burning coal, given the environmental and health concerns it posed. She said it was "long overdue" but she was delighted that Nelson Hospital was no longer burning fossil fuels. "It's ironic and really quite disheartening that a health facility continued to burn a fuel well known to have a negative impact on the health of individuals and our wider community for such a long time," Dr Warner said. "There is extensive research showing that coal burning contributes to lung disease and respiratory illnesses, so every small change that corporations can implement to the reduce the burden of disease in our community is a win for everyone." In 2003, open fires were banned in Nelson and tough regulations on woodburner use were introduced from 2010 to improve the city's air quality as it struggled to comply with national air quality standards. Nelson's mayor Nick Smith said end of coal use at the hospital would make a big difference to the city's greenhouse gas emissions and reduce particulate pollution to a negligible level. "Nelson South was one of the most polluted areas anywhere in New Zealand 20 years ago and council's made a big effort in reducing the number of log burners. So, it's improved hugely, but the coal burnt at the hospital remained the largest source of particulate pollution." Nelson mayor Nick Smith. Photo: Max Frethey / LDR He said the chimney also posed a seismic risk and in a large earthquake, was at risk of collapsing onto Waimea Road, disrupting access on one of the main arterial routes to the city and access to the hospital. It had been issued with an earthquake-prone building notice in 2019 which required it to have seismic work completed by 2028. In 2023, Te Whatu Ora Health NZ applied for consent from the Nelson City Council to burn up to 4000 tonnes of coal a year, for another seven years, to heat and power its buildings. This was despite the government aiming to phase out the boilers in hospitals by the end of 2025. Health NZ later withdrew the application, and Smith said it had agreed to work with the council to increase the use of landfill gas to meet its heating and electricity needs. Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council, through the Nelson Tasman Regional Landfill Business Unit (NTRLBU), jointly invested $2.4 million in the landfill in recent years. An additional 69 gas wells had been installed that had tripled the amount of methane collected at the landfill, along with a new compressor and chiller system and upgrades to the pipes to the furnace at the hospital. Of that investment, Smith said $800,000 had been spent on buying the rights to capture the landfill gas from Pioneer Energy along with the pipeline, the boilers and pumps. NTRLBU now sells landfill gas to Health NZ and Smith said it expected that 2 million cubic metres of landfill gas would be used by the hospital each year, amounting to about 40 percent of the gas recovered from the landfill. Smith said Nelson's total greenhouse gas emissions were 260,000 tonne CO2 equivalent per year and the end of coal use at the hospital meant that had been reduced by around a third (80,000 tonne CO2e a year). The contract between the council and Health NZ to use landfill gas expires next April, and Smith said the two organisations were in the process of negotiating a new contract. "The preferred outcome would be to continue to use the landfill gas, but that will need to be worked through with Health New Zealand," Smith said. Health Minister Simeon Brown said in May a new energy centre would be built to house critical hospital infrastructure as part of the hospital's $500 million redevelopment, but Health NZ said it was "too soon" to comment on whether it would use landfill gas or what it would look like. Te Whatu Ora Te Waipounamu regional head of infrastructure Dr Rob Ojala said coal had been burnt at Nelson Hospital since the late 1800s, and the current boiler house and chimney were built in 1959 to replace a previous boiler house. As part of its transition to cleaner energy, the deconstruction of the Nelson Hospital chimney began five weeks ago and was estimated to take around two months, with about five meters of concrete crushed each day. The work was expected to cost around $300,000 and was funded through EECA's State Sector Decarbonisation Fund. Ojala said the boilers would now burn landfill gas, with diesel as a backup fuel if needed. Consent to use landfill gas sat with NTRLBU, who own the main boiler, and Ojala said the plan was for ownership to change to Health NZ at a later date. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
