Agenda of Council - 26 August 2021

Item 5: Mayor's Report

Nelson City Council

26 August 2021

Page No.

Karakia and Mihi Timatanga

1. Apologies

Nil

2. Confirmation of Order of Business

3. Interests

3.1 Updates to the Interests Register

3.2 Identify any conflicts of interest in the agenda

4. Public Forum

4.1 Nelson Citizens Alliance - The 3 Waters Concept

Lindsay Hay and Dr Henry Hudson, on behalf of the Nelson Citizens Alliance, will speak about the 3 Waters concept and give opinions on the way forward.

5. Mayor's Report 7 - 62

Document number R26175

Recommendation

That the Council

1. Receives the report Mayor's Report (R26175) and its attachments (A2713175 and A2704583,); and

2. Approves, retrospectively, Council’s submission to the Governance Policy Statement on Housing and Urban Development Discussion Document (AA2713175).

6. Community Engagement on the sale of 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to Kāinga Ora 63 - 98

Document number R26028

Recommendation

That the Council

1. Receives the report Community Engagement on the sale of 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to Kāinga Ora (R26028) and its attachment (A2704161); and

2. Agrees to seek public feedback on a proposal to divest Council property located at 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to Kāinga Ora for social and affordable housing developments; and

3. Agrees that the public feedback document meets the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 including the principles of consultation in section 82; and

4. Approves the public feedback document (A2704161), amended as necessary; and

5. Agrees that the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chief Executive be delegated to approve any minor amendments required to the supporting information or public feedback document prior to the start of the consultation process; and

6. Approves the consultation approach (set out in paragraph 3.15 to 3.19 of this report (R26028)) and agrees the approach:

(a) includes sufficient steps to ensure the public feedback document will be reasonably accessible to the public and will be publicised in a manner appropriate to its purpose and significance; and

(b) will result in the public feedback document being as widely publicised as reasonably practicable as a basis for consultation.

7. Te Ara ō Whakatū - Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan 99 - 214

Document number R26117

Recommendation

That the Council

1. Receives the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū - Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan (R26117); and its attachments (A2719965 and A2729194); and

2. Agrees to seek public feedback on the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū - Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan (A2719965); and

3. Agrees that Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū - Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan engagement process and public feedback opportunities meet the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 including the principles of consultation in section 82; and

4. Approves the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū - Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan (A2719965) for public feedback; and

5. Approves the public feedback document (A2729194), amended as necessary; and

6. Agrees that the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chief Executive be delegated to approve any minor amendments required to the supporting information or public feedback materials prior to the start of the consultation process; and

7. Approves the consultation approach (set out in paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4 of this report (R26117) and agrees:

(a) The approach includes sufficient steps to ensure the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū- Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan will be reasonably accessible to the public and will be publicised in a manner appropriate to its purpose and significance; and

(b) The approach will result in the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū- Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan being as widely publicised as reasonably practicable as a basis for consultation.

Karakia Whakamutanga

Council

26 August 2021

REPORT R26175

Mayor's Report

1. Purpose of Report

1.1 To update Council on current matters.

2. Recommendation

That the Council

1. Receives the report Mayor's Report (R26175) and its attachments (A2713175 and A2704583,); and

2. Approves, retrospectively, Council’s submission to the Governance Policy Statement on Housing and Urban Development Discussion Document (AA2713175).

3. Government Policy Statement on Housing and Urban Development Discussion document

3.1 The Government recently released its discussion document on the Government Policy Statement on Housing and Urban Development (GPS-HUD). The GPS-HUD sets the long-term vision and how Government will work with others to make this happen. As such it will provide direction to guide and inform future government policy, investment and programmes of work across housing and urban development. The first GPS-HUD is expected to be published 1 October 2021 and will be reviewed at least every three years.

3.2 The attached submission on the discussion document (A2713175) was sent on 30 July 2021. A key point of the submission has been the exclusion of Nelson as a focus area for Housing and Urban Development and/or Kāinga Ora, and an urgent request that our district, and Tasman, be included. Specifically, that Nelson becomes a focus area for a place-based partnership. This would mean that HUD would take a place-based approach to housing, working with us, Kāinga Ora, iwi and others to develop and implement joined-up local solutions.

4. Local Government (2021/22) Determination 2021

4.1 The Remuneration Authority had provided the 2021/22 determination (attached A2704583). The determination has provided for a 1% increase in Councillor remuneration along with an increase in allowances, including an additional allowance for ICT consumables (paper, ink). There has been no increase in the Mayor’s remuneration, which is consistent with the Covid-19 response continuing where higher salaries in the public sector are not receiving increases.

4.2 Officers identified that the Nelson City Council determination was incorrect and did not reflect the updates to the Amendment Determination of April 2021. The Authority has checked this and confirmed it will be updated in the next determination. As this doesn’t change the amount of remuneration, they have confirmed that we can proceed to payment.

Author: Rachel Reese, Mayor of Nelson

Attachments

Attachment 1: A2713175 Letter from Mayor to Minister Woods re Government Policy Statement on Housing and Urban Development 30Jul2021 ⇩

Attachment 2: A2704583 Local Government Members 202122 Determination.pdf ⇩

Item 6: Community Engagement on the sale of 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to Kāinga Ora

Council

26 August 2021

REPORT R26028

Community Engagement on the sale of 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to Kāinga Ora

1. Purpose of Report

1.1 To approve the public feedback document and engagement process to seek the views of the community on a proposal to sell 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to Kāinga Ora for social and affordable housing developments.

2. Recommendation

That the Council

1. Receives the report Community Engagement on the sale of 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to Kāinga Ora (R26028) and its attachment (A2704161); and

3. Agrees that the public feedback document meets the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 including the principles of consultation in section 82; and

4. Approves the public feedback document (A2704161), amended as necessary; and

6. Approves the consultation approach (set out in paragraph 3.15 to 3.19 of this report (R26028)) and agrees the approach:

(a) includes sufficient steps to ensure the public feedback document will be reasonably accessible to the public and will be publicised in a manner appropriate to its purpose and significance; and

(b) will result in the public feedback document being as widely publicised as reasonably practicable as a basis for consultation.

3. Background

3.1 The formation of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities in October 2019 marked the beginning of a step change in housing and urban development in New Zealand. Kāinga Ora brings together the people, capabilities and resources of the KiwiBuild Unit, Housing New Zealand and its development subsidiary HLC (Homes, Land, Community). This is designed to enable a more cohesive, joined-up approach to delivering the Government’s priorities for housing and urban development in New Zealand. These priorities include addressing homelessness and making homes more affordable for New Zealanders.

3.2 Kāinga Ora has two key roles:

3.2.1 being a world-class public housing landlord

3.2.2 partnering with the development community, Māori, local and central government, and others on urban development projects of all sizes.

3.3 On 29 June 2021 Council adopted the Long Term Plan (LTP) 2021 to 2031. One of Council’s key priorities in the LTP is housing affordability and intensification. Partnering with Central Government and utilising Council property is a work programme area identified to give effect to addressing the priority.

3.4 Kāinga Ora has expressed an interest in purchasing 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to build social and affordable housing, with the details of this development being only conceptual at this stage.

3.5 Council originally purchased the site at 42 Rutherford Street for the purpose of creating a road link – the extension of Bridge Street through to Vanguard Street in 1995. This road link is no longer considered necessary. The site is currently leased and used as a coffee roastery and cafe.

3.6 Council originally purchased the sites at 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue in 2011 for the strategic purpose of maintaining future development options in the city centre. The site contains a mixture of leased areas for car parking, community activity and a retail shop.

3.7 Officers are satisfied that Council’s obligations under the Public Works Act in relation to these sites have now been met (following reasonable attempts to identify and contact the shareholders of the previous owner company, which was removed from the companies register in 2013).

3.8 The public feedback document has been developed in collaboration with officers from Kāinga Ora and with oversight from the Council’s Kāinga Ora Governance Reference Group. It has also been reviewed by the members of the Strategic Development and Property Subcommittee. The next step is for Council to adopt the public feedback document and community engagement approach.

4.0 Discussion

Public Feedback Documents

4.1 The public feedback document (A2704161) in Attachment 1 describes Council’s proposal to sell 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to Kāinga Ora for social and affordable housing developments. The document seeks the views of the community and those potentially affected by the proposal and outlines the process of how feedback will be considered by the Council in making a decision.

4.2 Visualisations, a map of the sites, the design outcomes Council seeks to achieve, information about Kāinga Ora (social and affordable housing and typical developments elsewhere), and a set of frequently asked questions are also provided as part of the public feedback documentation in order to enable the public to understand the proposal. Public feedback is not being sought on the form and design of the development which at this stage is not finalised.

Community Engagement Approach

4.3 The proposal is of low to medium significance in terms of the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. This is for a number of reasons including: that the sites are not listed as strategic assets; there is no change in levels or delivery of services by Council; there is a low level of financial impact; and the proposal will further the priority adopted in the LTP in regard to affordable housing and intensification. There is therefore no strict obligation to consult. However, consideration is required about the extent to which Council is adequately informed on community views on this proposal. Officers consider some form of consultation might be warranted in light of the high degree of public interest in the development of affordable housing, coupled with the central city locations of the properties.

4.4 The objective of this proposal is to divest Council assets to create social and affordable housing in the City Centre. Council undertook consultation as part of the LTP and topics outlined in the consultation document include housing affordability, intensification and partnering with Central Government (specifically Kāinga Ora). The Council now has a good range of views from this process.

4.5 A special consultative procedure is not required. However, officers consider that public feedback on the specific proposal to sell 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to Kāinga Ora for social and affordable housing will ensure the Council is able to consider the views and preferences of persons likely to be affected by or have an interest in the matter. As such the community engagement must meet the principles set out in section 82 of the LGA02 as well as the decision-making requirements of sections 76-81.

4.6 Community engagement on this proposal and the draft Te Ara ō Whakatū will be occurring at the same time. This will enable the community to consider the proposal in the context of the draft city centre spatial plan for the next 30 years.

4.7 The community engagement is proposed to run for 4 weeks from 30 August 2021 to 24 September 2021 through a range of means including:

3.8.1 Media releases and interviews in the two week lead up to 24 August.

3.8.2 Council’s social media channels and Council’s website (Shape Nelson) with the feedback document linked.

3.8.3 Our Nelson feature including notice of the opportunity to provide feedback.

3.8.4 Letter drop to adjacent property and business owners.

3.8.5 A housing supply update report to the Iwi Managers Meeting on 19 August.

3.8.6 Site signage and advertising with local media.

3.8.7 Hard copies of the public feedback document made available at all libraries and the Council Customer Service Centre.

3.8.8 A display at the Te Ara ō Whakatū expo on 3 and 4 of September.

4.8 Feedback will be able to be made using Council’s online submission form in Shape Nelson, via email, or by sending hard copy submission forms to the Council. Officers will summarise the feedback received and report this and a recommendation on the proposal to the Council meeting on 28 October for Council to make a decision.

4.9 Pre engagement has been undertaken in collaboration with Kāinga Ora with key stakeholders that have expressed an interest in housing, including Rachel Boyack MP for Nelson, iwi, Wakatu Inc., community housing providers and CAN (Community Action Nelson).

4.10 Pre-engagement with key inner-city developers who have shown an interest in the sites was also undertaken on the day the agenda for this meeting became public.

4.11 Leaseholders of the affected properties have also been advised that Council will consider whether to seek public feedback on the proposal.

5. Options

5.1 Council can either approve, amend or not approve the public feedback document. Officers recommend option 1.

Option 1: Approve the public feedback document (Recommended Option)
Advantages	· Enables Council to consider the views of the community, and whether any changes need to be made, in making a decision on the proposal. · Meets the requirements of the LGA.
Risks and Disadvantages	· None. No decisions other than to seek public feedback are being made.
Option 2: Make substantial changes to the public feedback document
Advantages	· If Council considers the public feedback document does not meet its needs or the needs of the community, Council can direct officers to make substantive changes before releasing it for consultation.
Risks and Disadvantages	· Changes would need to be reviewed by Kāinga Ora. · May mean amendments to the timetable for consultation and decision making. · May mean the proposal cannot be consulted on at the same time as the draft Te Ara ō Whakatu which provides further context for the proposal.

Option 3: Do not approve the public feedback document and proceed to decision making on the proposal

Advantages

· A decision can be made earlier than if community engagement is undertaken

Risks and Disadvantages

· Is inconsistent with Councils previous decision on 1 July 2021, seeking officers to bring back public feedback documents and an engagement approach for approval.

· May not meet the LGA obligations of Council to consider the views of those potentially affected by the proposal, although this risk is somewhat mitigated by the recent LTP consultation.

· Council is unable to incorporate any amendments to the proposal which may be considered because of feedback from the community.

6. Conclusion

6.1 Officers recommend that the public feedback document and consultation approach be approved. Council can the seek the views of the community on the proposal to sell 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to Kāinga Ora for social and affordable housing developments (together with a range of alterative options).

7. Next Steps

7.1 When the community feedback period has closed officers will collate all feedback received and include this in a report to Council on 28 October for consideration in making a decision on the proposal. It is not proposed to have hearing.

Author: Lisa Gibellini, Team Leader City Development

Attachments

Attachment 1: A2704161 - Public Feedback Document on proposal ⇩

Important considerations for decision making

1. Fit with Purpose of Local Government

Decisions in this report allow Council to consult with the community on whether or not to divest 69 to 101 Achilles Avenue and 42 Rutherford Street to Kāinga Ora for a social and affordable housing development. This will allow Council to make decisions on behalf of the community to promote their social, economic and cultural wellbeing.

2. Consistency with Community Outcomes and Council Policy

1. The recommendations in this report fit with the community outcomes;

2. • Our urban and rural environments are people friendly, well planned and sustainably managed

• Our communities are healthy, safe and resilient

3. Risk

3. There is risk that the current tenants and the community would not support the recommendations from this report. However this risk is mitigated by the general support Council gained from the LTP consultation on housing intensification and affordability, and will be further mitigated through consultation with the community on the specific proposal.

4. There is a risk of negative publicity generated by other parties who consider the sites should be put out for proposals on the open market. It is important that the community consultation is clear about the housing outcomes Council is trying to achieve and about the benefits of a Government provider. It is also important in the feedback document to demonstrate the calibre of Kāinga Ora’s recent housing developments.

Some in the community may feel the proposal does not contain sufficient detail if it does not cover the sale price, exact development plans or other negotiation details. It is important in the consultation document to explain that community views are being sought on the broad proposal, and once feedback is received Council will make decisions about what is needed to achieve that direction.

4. Financial impact

If the option to divest the site(s) to Kāinga Ora for social and affordable housing development proceeds, negotiation of a sale price based on the market valuation can procced. It is anticipated that the proceeds of any sale would be used to reduce debt.

5. Degree of significance and level of engagement

This matter is of low to medium significance to the community taking into account Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy, and given the limited nature of the proposed disposal and the Council’s LTP priorities of housing intensification and affordability, using Council land and partnering with Government including Kāinga Ora to bring housing supply to the market in Nelson. Further engagement with the community is planned via the public feedback process.

6. Climate Impact

Climate change impact will need to be considered in the development design, should the proposal go ahead. At this stage sustainability and climate resilience have been included in the design outcomes sought by Council and these are outlined in the feedback document.

7. Inclusion of Māori in the decision making process

Research completed by officers have not revealed any current or past claim by iwi to any of the landholdings subject to this proposal. Officers from Council and Kāinga Ora have undertaken pre engagement with iwi in preparing this report and further feedback will be invited.

8. Delegations

This matter is cross-committee as it falls within the delegation of the Infrastructure Committee, Strategic Development and Property Subcommittee and Urban Development Subcommittee, and therefore is a matter for Council.

Item 7: Te Ara ō Whakatū - Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan

Council

26 August 2021

REPORT R26117

Te Ara ō Whakatū - Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan

1. Purpose of Report

1.1 To approve the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan for community engagement and public feedback. This document will serve as the 30-year strategic vision guiding the development of Nelson’s city centre and fringe.

2. Recommendation

That the Council

1. Receives the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū - Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan (R26117); and its attachments (A2719965 and A2729194); and

2. Agrees to seek public feedback on the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū - Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan (A2719965); and

4. Approves the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū - Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan (A2719965) for public feedback; and

5. Approves the public feedback document (A2729194), amended as necessary; and

7. Approves the consultation approach (set out in paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4 of this report (R26117) and agrees:

(b) The approach will result in the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū- Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan being as widely publicised as reasonably practicable as a basis for consultation.

3. Background

3.1 On 9 September 2020, Council resolved as follows:

That the Council

Approves the completion of the City Centre Spatial Plan as a first priority for the City Development Team, noting the Spatial Plan will be aligned with the Parking Strategy.

3.2 Officers sought community feedback through early targeted pre-engagement to help shape and inform the development of the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū. A range of community and business stakeholder groups were identified to provide diverse viewpoints and to work together over a period of 6 months.

3.3 Council and Subcommittee Meetings

3.3.1 Relevant dates for Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan included public workshops and meetings with Council:

· 22 June 2021 - Urban Development Subcommittee update

· 26 May 2021 - Council Workshop

· 20 April 2021 - Urban Development Subcommittee
(update on pre-engagement)

· 15 March 2021 – City Centre Engagement Group

· 2 March 2021 – Urban Development Subcommittee
(pre-engagement approach)

· 25 January 2021 – City Centre Engagement Group

· 9-10 September 2020 – Streets for People Council Deliberations (refer resolution in 3.1)

· 16 June 2020 – Council Workshop

3.4 Targeted Community Pre-Engagement

3.4.1 Since March 2021, on-going pre-engagement meetings have been held across a diverse range of community interest groups. The pre-engagement approach was agreed with the City Centre Engagement Group in January and March 2021. The approach was supported by the Chair of the Urban Development Subcommittee.

3.4.2 81 meetings have been held with over 250 attendees from over 40 community sectors. Meetings were kept intentionally small to enable voices to be heard. Values for the 30-year approach were agreed. These meetings have informed the development of Te Ara ō Whakatū going out for public feedback.

3.5 Engagement with Iwi

3.5.1 In March 2020, the City Centre Spatial Plan Report was presented at the Iwi Managers Forum.

3.5.2 The project team have been working with Te Kāhui Whiria, Maori Partnerships team and Keni-Duke Hetet. Keni-Duke has been integral as part of the Te Ara ō Whakatū design team. Design hui were held monthly during the development of the plan.

3.5.3 The project team were due to meet with the Iwi Managers Forum on 14 July 2021 however this meeting was postponed. A new meeting date was set for 19 August 2021, however this was cancelled due to COVID-19..

3.5.4 The team will seek to attend a future workshop with Te Ohu Toi Ahurea, iwi Cultural Managers for arts and heritage for the purpose of informing the development of Te Ara ō Whakatū.

3.6 Other Engagement

3.6.1 The Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū has been developed considering other Nelson City Council strategies, including: Whakamahere Whakatū Nelson Plan (in development); Housing Intensification Plan; Nelson Parking Strategy (in development); Public Transport network plans and other city centre programmes. Meetings have been held with Council managers and officers from Transport, Planning (Nelson Plan), Infrastructure and Flood Protection, Climate, Strategic (Economics), Parks, Property and Capital Works teams. The project has been presented and discussed with City Centre utility operators. Aligning City Centre programmes with Long Term Plan (LTP) and Activity Management Plans (AMP) is crucial to delivering the vision.

4. Discussion

Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan

4.1 The Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan document (A2719965 attached) provides a people-focused, place-based 30-year vision for Nelson city centre. The purpose of Te Ara ō Whakatū is to attract talent, good investment, housing and jobs and promote health and wellbeing aligned with being a Smart Little City.

4.2 Key features of the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū include eight transformative actions for the Nelson city centre:

4.2.1 Seeing Ourselves- ensuring our local stories, culture, artists, and people are the inspired source of design, place names and expression.

4.2.2 Streets for People- re-prioritising streets (Trafalgar, Bridge and Hardy) as attractive places in the city centre to grow our resident population and manage greenhouse gas emissions.

4.2.3 Raising Residents- a greater number of residents living in the city centre contributes to local business, activation, and smart living options.

4.2.4 Great Places- unique spaces in the city centre provide more places for people to linger, attracting different age groups at different times to be part of a healthy city life.

4.2.5 Greener Streets- greener streets offer the most cost-effective and amenity-positive start to welcoming an increased resident population and mitigating climate change risk in the city centre.

4.2.6 Linked Up Laneways- laneways are narrow streets, service lanes and alleyways that add diversity and character to the city’s overall public space offering; opportunities to explore and connect.

4.2.7 Precinct Power- precincts reflect distinct destinations for shopping, dining, learning, arts/culture, and employment that add vibrancy.

4.2.8 People at Play- the provision of play brings a sense of inclusiveness, health, and well-being, inviting users of all ages to explore and engage with the city centre in new ways.

Community Engagement Approach

4.3 The purpose of public feedback on Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū is to seek the public’s view on the plan. The official public engagement process, consistent with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA02), section 82 Principles of Consultation, will begin 30 August 2021. This process will have the support of NCC’s Communications team to ensure a high profile in the community and across all media channels (online and physical). Residents will be encouraged to engage with the Draft document and provide Council with their feedback via Shape Nelson or hardcopy public feedback form. This process will close on 24 September 2021 (4 weeks total duration).

4.4 Under Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy, the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū is considered to be of low to moderate significance and there is no requirement under the LGA02 to use the Special Consultative Process (SCP). The proposed feedback process will enable Council to be informed of the views of the community and those affected by the proposal in making a decision to adopt, or not, Te Ara ō Whakatū.

4.5 It is not proposed that there would be a hearing (having regard to s82(1)(d) of the LGA and the assessment of significance).

4.6 The community feedback period on the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū will take place from the 30 August 2021 to the 24 September 2021.

4.7 During the four-week feedback period Council will seek to engage through a range of means including -

4.7.1 Local media.

4.7.2 Our Nelson – early September publication date – Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū summary and stories (distribution 20,000).

4.7.3 Shape Nelson – NCC’s consultation page will reflect the consultation document.

4.7.4 Video – three or four short animation clips summarising aspects of the plan will be produced, including a series of animated ‘fly-through’ movements from 3D renderings for the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū.

4.7.5 Summary of the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan: An 8-page Our Nelson special on the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū (distribution 20,000).

4.7.6 Expo – in person engagement event on 3 and 4 September at Trafalgar Centre northern extension. Pre-engagement attendees will be sent an invitation for the Friday Expo and thanking them for their involvement.

4.7.7 Social media – event scheduling and social media posts using created content.

4.8 Feedback will be able to be made using Council’s online submission form in Shape Nelson, or by sending hard copy submission forms to the Council or via email.

4.9 Officers will summarise the feedback received and report this to the Urban Development Subcommittee with recommendations incorporated into the final document.

4.10 The updated Final Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan will then be presented at a Council meeting later in the year to seek approval for final adoption.

5. Options

5.1 Council can either approve, amend or not approve the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan document for public feedback and community engagement. Substantive changes may require an amendment to the timeline for feedback and final adoption.

Option 1: Approve the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan for public feedback and community engagement (Recommended Option)
Advantages	· Enables Council to obtain and consider the views of the wider community, to inform whether any changes should be made to the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū document before it is finalised. · Consistent with LTP. · While consultation is not required, seeking engagement in this way enables Council to fulfil the community engagement requirements of the Local Government Act 2002.
Risks and Disadvantages	· The process will require an allocation of staff resources.
Option 2: Amend the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan prior to public feedback and community engagement
Advantages	· If Council considers the document and public feedback / engagement approach does not meet its needs or the needs of the community, Council can direct changes ahead of consultation.
Risks and Disadvantages	· Amendments to the document may not reflect the engagement undertaken to date. · Delays to timeframe to progress Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan community engagement.
Option 3: Do not approve the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan
Advantages		· No identifiable advantage.
Risks and Disadvantages		· Reputational damage that Council does not promote Smart Little City aspirations. · Cost in developing the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan will be sunk.

6. Conclusion

6.1 Officers recommend that the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan document and engagement approach be approved for release for public feedback.

7. Next Steps

7.1 If Council agrees to the proposed approach the next steps would be:

7.1.1 Commence engagement in accordance with the Community Engagement Approach from 30 August 2021 to the 24 September 2021.

7.1.2 Collate responses and report back to Council’s Urban Development Subcommittee.

7.1.3 Prepare Final Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan document to be presented to Council for adoption at the end of this year.

Author: Alan Gray, City Centre Development Programme Lead

Attachments

Attachment 1: A2719965 - Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan - Final Draft for Feedback - Aug2021 ⇩

Attachment 2: A2729194 - Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū Public Feedback document and feedback form ⇩

Important considerations for decision making

1. Fit with Purpose of Local Government

Decisions in this report allow Council to consult the community on whether to adopt the future Te Ara ō Whakatū- Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan. This will allow Council to make decisions on behalf of the community to promote its social, environmental, economic, and cultural well-being that are consistent with the purpose of the Local Government Act.

2. Consistency with Community Outcomes and Council Policy

The Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū- Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan is consistent with Nelson’s urban development strategies. It aligns with Council’s Long Term Plan, the Draft Whakamahere Whakatū Nelson Plan, Future Development Strategy, key Transport Strategies, including Nelson Future Access Strategy (Waka Kotahi), modal shift (walk and cycle), bus public transport and the Nelson Parking Strategy (in development).

3. Risk

While there is no specific obligation on Council to consult on adopting the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan, there is a risk that Council’s reputation may be impacted if a draft of the plan is not circulated for community feedback. A public feedback process is proposed to address this risk.

As the plan is long-term and aspirational, there is a likely risk that some in the community will consider the plan too ambitious. Others in the community might express a view the plan should be even bolder. Despite an extensive community engagement process over four months, speaking with people holding diverse viewpoints, it is likely not everyone will consider that their views and comments are reflected in the plan. These perspectives will be reflected in the public feedback process.

Risk around delays in the delivery of the projects in the plan. Risks exist with high expectations from the public. These risks are mitigated will require proper process and undertaking on-going engagement.

4. Financial impact

No additional findings are sought in this report. Council has already committed funding for the development of Te Ara ō Whakatū and $14m allocated for the city centre in the approved 2021-2031 Long Term Plan for the following:

Initiate tactical pilot projects over the next 2-3 years to test and trial potential city centre outcomes consistent with the City Centre Spatial Plan,

Business case options for major capital projects to leverage delivery outcomes consistent with the City Centre Spatial Plan.

The Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū- Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan will be part of strategic Government funding opportunities in Whakatū Nelson to potentially leverage funding as part of the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund application.

5. Degree of significance and level of engagement

While a high level of public interest exists for Nelson’s city centre, the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū- Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan is considered of low to moderate significance when considered against all criteria in Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. It will not require a Special Consultative Process (SCP) as it will not impact on levels of service provided by Council, degree of impact on Council’s debt or the level of rates it charges and that decisions related to the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū are not irreversible.

Council has determined an appropriate process for Principles of Engagement. An extensive pre-engagement process has been undertaken over the past 4 months meeting with over 40 community sectors with over 275 representative attendees representing more than 200 hours of discussion over four weeklong sessions with a wide range of stakeholders inputting into the 30-year vision for the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan.

Public feedback will be sought on the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū- Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan during a 20-working day period (30 August – 24 September 2021). A public Expo is scheduled for 3 and 4 September 2021.

6. Climate Impact

The strategic vision of the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan acknowledges climate change is a risk facing the city and region. The Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū is consistent with the necessary initial steps over 30 years to provide a robust response for the City Centre to climate impact. The Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū will promote intensified city centre living (with reduced reliance on private vehicles), modal shift, lowered carbon emissions, increased stormwater capacity and urban greening measures.

7. Inclusion of Māori in the decision-making process

An early version of the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan came to iwi Managers Forum in March 2020 with some recommended actions have been implemented. These include working with Keni-Duke Hetet.

The Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū will be discussed at the Iwi Managers Forum on 19 August 2021.

iwi have not been consulted on this decision to engage on the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū.

8. Delegations

The Urban Development Subcommittee (UDS) has delegations for the Draft Te Ara ō Whakatū – Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan. However, in accordance with section 5.2.2 of the Delegations Register, matters within the area of responsibility of a particular committee, subcommittee or subordinate decision-making body may be considered directly by Council instead on the recommendation of the Chief Executive and with the agreement of the Chair of the subcommittee and the Mayor. This has occurred in this case, and the Chair of UDS will report to the following meeting of the subcommittee regarding the reason for doing so, and the outcome of the matter at the Council meeting, in accordance with the Delegations Register.

Item 7: Te Ara ō Whakatū - Nelson City Centre Spatial Plan: Attachment 1 A2719965

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