FEATURE
Nelson and Tasman CLIMBING THE LADDER OF THE SOUTH James Murray, Senior Communications Advisor, Nelson City Council
CBD Trafalgar-Bridge Intersection. Concept only — not actual design.
In 30 years, where will Nelson work, live and play? This South Island hot spot is set to see substantial growth in preparation for expected residential and business expansion.
With shops, cafes and restaurants lining Bridge and Hardy Streets, space for people to relax at pedestrianised Upper Trafalgar Street, a thriving museum, popular cinema and a humming weekend market — Nelson is the destination city at the top of the south. Over the next 30 years, Nelson’s city centre is expected to increasingly become a place to live and visit as people look past the quarter-acre dream in favour of a city-centre lifestyle.
Nelson and Tasman’s Future Development Strategy In preparation, the Future Development Strategy (FDS) was implemented — a joint project carried out by Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council, which looks at where and how development will occur in the region over the next three decades. The strategy identifies locations suitable
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The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand
for growth, for residential or commercial development, and areas suitable for intensification and new greenfield opportunities to meet increased housing demand. Following engagement with the development community, youth councillors, iwi and hapū, 200 sites across Nelson and Tasman were recently assessed as potentially suitable for future growth. The strategy is now being written and will be out for full public consultation this March. Judene Edgar, Urban Development Subcommittee Chair, says certain themes emerged early in the engagement, particularly, intensification and the protection of highly productive land. “Proximity to public transport, work and other amenities also featured in the engagement, as well as affordability and what Councils can do to help,” Edgar adds.
