Mortgages Made Easy

LANGDON Mortgage Services

to corroborate or validate the information that we’ve collected over the years and how we’ve expressed these visions for the FMUs,” Dennis explains. “If the public are happy with that, then that then lets us go on to the next step.”

Those next steps are while off yet, but they will include the steps council can take to help achieve the visions for each area.

This could be anything from additional rules and regulations around freshwater use or extensive riparian (riverbank) planting, or even simply an educational approach.

But the work to begin restoring Nelson’s waterways can’t begin until council has a clear picture on what residents wants.

“Bring that to our attention because that’s what is going to drive the way the waterways are managed,” Adrienne says.

You can visit shape.nelson. govt.nz/nelson-freshwater-hub to have your say on what you value about the region’s waterways. Submissions close on Friday 25 August.

With billboards up this week, the 2023 election campaign in Nelson is now underway. I have spent the past months meeting thousands of people across our community: at rugby matches, at the Nelson Market, at the many “Coffee Catch-Up” events I have hosted at cafes, speaking at rotary clubs, lifestyle villages, community groups, and schools, visiting businesses, and hitting the footpaths and meeting people door-by-door. The consistent feedback I get is that Nelsonians are tired of the government’s wasteful spending and want to see their tax dollars going to things that will deliver results for our community.

Last week, I was pleased to announce that I have secured $250 million through the Roads of National Significance program to build the Hope Bypass, which will be a four-lane highway bypassing Richmond and Hope. This road will mean buses, cyclists, cars, and pedestrians will no longer have to negotiate the dangerous Gladstone Road/Queen Street intersection in Richmond, and a flyover at Lower Queen Street will mean people in new areas like Berryfields will be able to get to Richmond without traveling through the State Highway 6 traffic.

You may have seen that Labour have finally revealed to the public that the Nelson Hospital rebuild has fallen three years behind schedule, with construction now not slated to begin until 2026. I have been asking the government to come clean on the delay for months, so while it is unfortunate that Labour has failed to deliver on their promise to start construction this year, it is great to finally have some transparency. Given Labour’s chaotic management of the Dunedin Hospital rebuild, however, I still have some major concerns about Labour’s ability to deliver. Our region desperately needs a new hospital, and we need a strong and competent government to manage this massive infrastructure project.

The Hope Bypass and Nelson Hospital rebuild are two major infrastructure projects that I am fully committed to delivering. I’m asking for your vote in October so that I can get the Hope Bypass underway and get the Nelson Hospital rebuild back on track. We need an MP that will get things done and I’m ready to deliver.

Celebrating 85 years at MS Ford

Opened the year I was born in Nelson. Used to go there when I was 10-yearsold and get used wheel bearings to use for wheels on billycarts.

David Symes

My pa worked there many years. He would’ve loved this but he passed away a month ago.

Shelley Bishop

Easier intensification under proposed planning changes

The poor neighbours who then lose daylight and sunlight and are left, lit erally, in the cold. Imagine a 6-storey apartment building built north of a resi dential property, or people looking over your backyard 24/7 in the fourth-storey next door.

Diane Chandler

Hmm - you will have to make sure there is good insulation, especially for sound. This sounds like a logical plan but there are downsides to consider with intensive housing. Noise being a big one. NZ houses don’t always have good soundproofing like European, brick-built ones.

Janet Ellison

Horror SH6 intersection strikes pressed by the amount of people who took immediate action and were trying to help the people involved, especially the car on its side until help arrived. Good on you guys for coming together and taking action without hesitation. You certainly made a difference for those people today and should be proud of yourselves

I hope everyone involved is doing ok!

Courtney Ann O’Neill

The majority of motorists using this intersection will be regulars i.e they know the light sequences, they change regularly, there is absolutely no need to run the red light as you will be through the intersection within a couple of minutes or livelihood is not okay just to save yourself a few minutes in your day.

Susan Tonks

When will something be done about this?! I watched a truck and trailer blatantly go through an already red light there yesterday. People run the red arrow turning right onto Lower Queen St at practicaly every light change.

Katie Prosser

What’s On!

Second Hand Sunday

Sunday, 20 August, 9am – 2pm

Nelson Tasman Region

Declutter and re-home unwanted household goods for free. Simply register online before 10am Friday. Check out the map to plan your fossicking route and pick up some free second-hand items! Go to www.tasman.govt.nz/ shs.

YES Market Day

Saturday, 19 August, 8am

The Nelson Market Support the region’s Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) student businesses at the Nelson Saturday Market!

Daffodil Rally for Cancer

Sunday, 20 August, 11-6pm

Nelson Speedway

Car Rally & Display. Everyone Welcome! Entry $20 per car includes entry for spot prizes - all fees donated to the Cancer Society. Rally will leave at 1pm for approx 2 hour run heading into Nelson and surrounds, gathering back at the speedway for prizes and raffle draw. Enquiries: Rob Thompson 0275475120.

Hon Dr Nick Smith

The Long Costly Rebuild Of Our City

We mark a year this week since the horrendous storm of last August. It was the worst civil emergency in Nelson in 50 years in which we had a year’s rain in four days. The anniversary is a time to reflect on the recovery progress and to focus on the work still ahead of us.

Fixing infrastructure has been a top priority. We started with vital lifelines such as the Maitai water main and SH6. We have removed thousands of tonnes of material from rivers, streams and tracks to restore flood capacity and walkways. Current work includes restoring two-way traffic on roads with Moana Ave fixed in July and Cable Bay Road going out for tender.

We had over 250 households with significant damage. I am proud of our Council’s initiative in appointing navigators to support these families through the labyrinth of insurance and EQC claims. The flood damage claims are largely sorted. We are down to 13 red and 68 yellow-stickered properties, which are mostly affected by landslides.

Government gave good support during the emergency phase but I am grumpy at its refusal to provide support in three areas. It is wrong that Nelson families who have run out of insurance rental relief for alternative accommodation don’t get Government accommodation support but others in the same situation in the North Island do. It is also unjust that Councils in the North Island are getting Government support for buying out unfixable properties when we are not. Government should also be supporting us with the cost of building back better.

I’m determined that Nelson learn from this event. We are making planning changes so we have better rules for managing the risks of floods and landslides. We need to invest in improved stormwater and flood mitigation. We also urgently need a rain radar in the region.

I am proud of the progress our community has made one year on. Big thanks to the awesome work of people such as our navigators and contractors. We must not lose sight of those still out of their homes or the tens of millions of repair work still to be done.

Nelson Matters Nick Smith MAYOR OF NELSON