OPEN
MINUTE ITEM ATTACHMENTS
Ordinary meeting of the
Nelson City
Council
Thursday 3 March 2016
Commencing at 9.00am
Council Chamber
Civic House
110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
11 Approval of Draft
Annual Plan 2016/17
A. A1510532 - Draft Annual Plan 2016/17
Mayor's Message 3
B. A1512576 - Consultation Document on the
Draft Annual Plan 2016/17 5
C. A1512007 Amendments to Rates Remission
Policy and Rates Postponement Policy 13
D. A1514959 - Funding Impact Statement
Changes 22
E. A1512560 - Rates Remission and
Rates Postponement Policies Recommendations 40
Welcome to the 2016/17 Draft Annual Plan. I am pleased to present an
Annual Plan with so few variations from our Long Term Plan – a result of
careful thinking during plan development and much effort to keep the work
programme on track.
The Annual Plan continues to deliver necessary investment in core
infrastructure as part of the ongoing commitment made in the Long Term Plan.
These projects are expensive but they are essential for city development and
protection of private and public assets.
Through refining budgets and prioritisation of projects we have achieved
a slight reduction in the rates rise proposed for year 2 of the Long Term Plan.
Instead of the forecast 3.4% the average rates rise for 2016/17 will be 3.1%. I
am not seeing this reduction as an opportunity for a
‘spend-up’. Between now and the adoption of the Annual Plan
in June, I have asked the Chief Executive to continue to refine costs for this
year’s programme of works with the aim of reducing the rates rise to
under 3%. It is important that it is signalled to you now so you are
prepared for how I will encourage Council to respond to submissions seeking
additional expenditure.
Over the last year I have been particularly focussed on reviewing
Council’s property assets to ensure they are delivering benefits to our
city. We cannot afford underperforming assets. Rutherford Park is currently
coming to life with Trafalgar Centre development and reconfiguration of
carparking and green spaces along the Maitai Walkway.
We have identified an opportunity to further expand the functions of the
Trafalgar Centre, creating a 1000 – 1200 seat flexible theatre space, in
a relatively low cost way. Most of the elements needed to create a draped
theatre are already funded in the Long Term Plan. We are proposing to
bring these budgets forward and allocate an additional $400,000 to allow the
theatre space to be completed. This is not, however, a substitute
for a Performing Arts Centre. In the Long Term Plan Council allocated
funding to review that project in 2017/18 and the funding remains.
In 2016/17 the Haven Precinct will move to development plan stage.
Council believes it is time to unlock the potential of the Haven Precinct and
make the most of Nelson’s natural and recreational assets by creating
walking and cycling connections, quality public spaces and opportunities for
private investment.
Connecting the city to the sea is vital for Nelson. The thing I enjoy about
this city is that the sea, the bush, the cafes and the airport are all so close
together. Our vision for the waterfront can only make it easier for
people to access the lifestyle they love.
Throughout the year we will continue to progress the review of the Marina
Precinct, the Stoke Urban Design project, and activation of strategic sites
around the Central Business District.
Council is looking for opportunities to use its properties in the CBD to
drive better outcomes for our community. Our city has stood up well to the
economic volatility of recent times but the message from the commercial,
hospitality and retail sector is clear – Council must be active and
invite investment. Some steps are already underway with CBD enhancement
working in partnership with business, pop-up parks, Council continuing to
support events, and Council-owned land being considered for residential
development.
In the next three years funding for expansion and upgrade of Elma Turner
library is proposed. Libraries are special places at the heart of
community life - they are people attractors. That attribute allows us the
opportunity to breathe new life into our precious central library and our CBD.
Design proposals are not ready for consultation in this Annual Plan but Council
has been considering two quite different options. One is to retain the
library in its current location and the other is a bold rethink that would see
the library move into the heart of the CBD.
This second option would see us using the State Advances Building and the
lower floors of Civic House for an exciting adaptive reuse that would activate
the street frontages of both buildings.
Moving the library to Trafalgar Street would bring its cultural values
and pedestrian activity in to the heart of the city, providing a
“bookend” to Trafalgar Street.
Releasing the valuable riverside library site for development (with
appropriate protections to ensure river access) invites private sector
investment. The sale of that site would provide funding to introduce contemporary
library technology and services to Elma Turner Library. We’re only
at the ideas stage at present but in the spirit of no surprises and
collaborating with the community I’m keen to hear what you think.
And if you’ve got a better idea then why don’t you share it with
us.
A significant collaborative enterprise is included in the Plan - an
initiative to develop a shared regional landfill with Tasman District Council.
Economic analysis shows this has clear benefits for ratepayers in both
districts – you can read about this proposal in the Key Issues section.
Please take the time to look at the updates in this 2016/17 draft Annual
Plan and share your thinking with us. Our plans for making Nelson an even
better place to live will only come to life if we have a common vision and work
together as a community.
