TRUDIE BRAND
Q1. How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
I have been a strong supporter of an integrated transport system that includes reassessing all options of our arterial routes that ensure resillience and safety for all users, local residents and business operators. This has been amplified by the recent adverse weather events and the impact on Tahunanui.
Q2. What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city?
I believe that Tahunanui, the beach and its boutique neighbourhood is one of the main draw cards for tourism in our region. Therefore, sufficient funding should be identified for the betterment of the area reflective of its value and protect it from the global warming.
Q3. How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
Review and update the existing Tahunanui Structure Plan and ensure the focus is on inclusion into the NCC LTP. This needs to be actioned with genuine community engagement that seeks the views and vision of the local residents and local businesses and a working partnership with NCC is established.
TRUDIE BRAND
Candidate for Stoke-Tahunanui Ward
KERRY NEAL
Q1.How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
The wider community is now well aware of the need for the Southern Link. The well being of the Victory Community can be addressed by installing a flyover at the appropriate point. This action would then allow the sensible existing roading pattern in Tahuna to remain and local businesses to expand.
Q2. What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city?
Without urgently improving the viability of the City, any thought towards Tahuna will in the mean time have to rely on high rise residential development within the recognised zone. Traditional business confidence will not return until the roading issue is resolved.
Q3. How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
In the immediate term all the focus will have to be on reinstating zones that have suffered major storm damage. Longer term visions will obviously be subject to the final outcome of the effects of the storm damage throughout the affected areas.
KERRY NEAL
Candidate for Mayor
MEL COURTNEY
Q1. How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
The Nelson transport issues we should deal with now rather than later are congestion, peak hour demand, safety, and contested/challenged spaces. The things we should look at are alternative traffic routes and options, greater protection for pedestrians through crossings/traffic islands, lowering speed limits where appropriate, and the cycling link through the golf course.
Q2. What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city?
Tahunanui is much more than a gateway to our city. It has been and will continue to be the jewel in Nelson’s crown providing substantial economic, physical, social and wellbeing benefits.
“Opportunities” Tahunanui. Delight in:
Opportunities for play and exercise. By day and night in summer and winter.
Opportunities to linger longer. Events, attractions and businesses.
Opportunities to sit. Sun, sand and people. Benches to rest.
Opportunities to see. Water, mountains and sky.
Opportunities to listen. Listen to waves breaking.
Opportunities to walk and ride. The room for walking and cycling.
Opportunities to relax and unwind. Cafes, bars and restaurants.
Q3. How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
Advocating for increased funding for the Tahunanui community. Being the strong voice around the Council table representing Tahunanui. Working on a development plan for Tahunanui. Improving amenities and infrastructure. Ensuring we are enhancing and building on the village attributes. Making the area an affordable place to live.
MEL COURTNEY
Candidate for Stoke-Tahunanui Ward
ZOE BYRNE
How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
Rocks Road will continue to be an issue. NZTA has put any potential Inland Route 10 to 15 years in the future. I think we need to explore ferry options between Motueka, Nelson, and Wellington. The recent floods have shown how isolated Nelson is – at one stage we were entirely cut off. This would give us another connection out and allow much of the freight to be taken off this area of the highway.
What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city?
Protecting and promoting Tahunanui beach area and helping to make this a destination in, of itself – improving pedestrian areas. Also investigating the potential springs under Tahunanui Beach. These could help bring year round tourism.
How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
Currently most shops have to compete with highway traffic. With active community engagement, I’d like to look at forming a community area and shopping centre removed from the main highway. Good car and bike access, better pedestrian area. The highway does not invite shoppers to linger.
ZOE BYRNE
Candidate for At Large Ward
CAMPBELL ROLLO
Tahunanui has for too long been the forgotten suburb of Nelson and we need a council willing to include the community in the decision making.
Reinstating clearways is a disaster waiting to happen, and we need to build more capability across the whole transport network, including more public transport.
I will advocate for further sustainable development opportunities locally, and support developments such as Oceanview apartments, the new modelers pond area, and the cycle lane on Muritai Street.
Council needs to work with groups like the Tahunanui Business Association, alongside locals, and our hard hit moteliers to support business, by encouraging new facilities like a supermarket, shops, and getting more housing into the area by building up.
Locals need to be at the heart of the decisions and by putting number 1 next to my name, I will bring a fresh approach to how council works for Tahunanui.
CAMBELL ROLLO
Candidate for Stoke-Tahunanui Ward
IAN WILLIAMS
Q1. How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
There are competing demands and priorities for transport, with different groups demanding different solutions. We must find a blended solution that meets all needs. There’s no doubt we need an improved main State Highway trunk road that isn’t vulnerable to slippage and closure, but we also need to reduce emissions and provide safe movement for cyclists and pedestrians. First step is a clear decision from NZTA and then designing needs around that solution.
Q2. What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city?
A safer road running through Tahunanui would bring a more usable route for cycling, walking and car use for tourism and recreation. We have amazing facilities along the beach area, along with great motels and hospitality venues. We need to keep all this maintained well, developed further, and promoted more effectively to domestic and international tourists.
Q3. How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
I think the first two questions address this – if we achieve good transport and facilities, economic vibrancy will follow.
IAN WILLIAMS
Candidate for At LargeWard
MIKE GANE
How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
Obviously transport issues are going to be an ongoing problem for many years to come. I do not have an answer as part of the problem is we are a growing city and that fact adds to the issue.
But every city in NZ faces the same issue with Auckland addressing it with the installation of a light rail project that was first mooted in the 1960s but it was poo-hooed then as being too futuristic and too expensive. And it’s costing how much now?
Whatever option is used there has to be a social and economic balance for the whole region.
What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city? and
How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
To both questions – I leave visionary projects for those with that capacity but I will support any project that promotes Tahunanui that balances economic and social values. Be it a business proposal or one with recreational value that will benefit the locals and possibly attract others to the area.
MIKE GANE
Candidate for Stoke-Tahunanui Ward
IAN BARKER
Future transport issues will be the present unsatisfactory situation, but it will be further accentuated due to the state highway running through its heart.
Recent weather events undeniably demonstrate the need for a further route into the city while maintaining our wonderful seaside drive.
The city needs to better promote to all of New Zealand the jewel in Nelson’s crown which is the best beach in the country together with a great climate.
Twenty years ago I chaired a study that produced a plan to turn the commercial area into a tourist Mecca of small businesses. Sadly Council resources were not applied to bring this about. Also no progress has been made on providing off street parking which everyone knows is essential.
If elected I will work hard to finally make progress on bringing the Tahunanui business centre to its full and rightful potential.
IAN BARKER
Candidate for Stoke-Tahunanui Ward
RACHEL SANSON
How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
I support significantly improving active and public transport options and services; lowering speeds; looking at alternative existing routes and options for freight.
What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city?
Celebrate Tahunanui as a compact community and commercial centre; a village with a huge heart, a strong sense of community spirit and pride, and deep care for its environment (the ocean, beach, parks, reserves and connecting trails). It is a destination, a base for exploring our city and region, a great place to live.
How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
I’d like to see the community have close access to all key amenities, including a supermarket. I’d support it to feel safer and connected through looking at how to reduce vehicle movements and speed along Rocks Road, Tahunanui Drive and in the surrounding hills. I’d support a community review and implementation of the Tahunanui Reserve Development Plan.
RACHEL SANSON
Candidate for At Large Ward
ALLAN HOULT
Transport
Currently up to 1500 trucks per day use this route and without other corridor options this will remain. The clearways lane option must be stopped as has proved unworkable in the past and businesses must retain their parking. My preferred option would be to revisit the Southern Arterial route but as this is a State Highway, Waka Kotahi has responsibility for the promotion of this, and for the time being they have stated that this is not on the table. Doing nothing is not an option and Council must be strong in addressing these concerns to central Government.
Promotion
At an earlier event I stated that I thought the Tahunanui area was the jewel in the crown that nobody had heard of. It is not, and should not be considered as a shopping hub, but more a family friendly leisure zone with supporting businesses. Better use can be made of the existing playing fields during the summer months. Discussions with affected organisations such as the Business and Citizens Association are crucial, so Councillors are informed on what the residents and business owners of Tahunanui actually themselves want rather than having decisions made on their behalf. That said, the area is there for all to enjoy, not just locals.
Future Development
I again raise the use of the playing field area. Are we getting maximum use out of this piece of land in such a sought-after area. Many sports have relocated to Saxtons and other facilities, is it time to think about some of this land for either residential and/or retail use and take some pressure off the main road.
In time I’d like to see the large scale industries in the Parkers Road/
Bolt Road/Quarantine Road area moved elsewhere (not sure where to) so that better use can be made of land close to the airport/golf course etc area. Many travellers’ first views of our region are of sawmills and other industrial buildings.
ALLAN HOULT
Candidate for Stoke-Tahunanui Ward
HARRY PEARSON
How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
Frequent (every 15 minutes at peak times), affordable (or free?) public transport (small, 12 seater, electric buses), will reduce the number of cars on the road. It will also enable more people to travel efficiently between Tahunanui and Nelson / Richmond (visitors, commuters, elderly and children).
What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city?
Promote ourselves as a tourism destination and gateway to the best National Parks and mountain biking in NZ.
How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
Local people who are our biggest asset – listen to them!
Have brainstorming sessions.
Come up with strategies to develop and future proof our community against climate change.
Get rid of that ridiculous Muritai Street cycleway, reinstate car parking and widen the foot path our to the curb to form a shared walkway / cycleway.
HARRY PEARSON
Candidate for Stoke-Tahunanui Ward
Hon Dr NICK SMITH
How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city?
How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
Tahunanui is the jewel of Nelson with its beach, beautiful waterfront and renowned campground and my objective as Mayor will be to enhance it as a place to live, visit and stay.
I have strongly and consistently opposed the misguided plans of NZTA and at times the Nelson City Council to add additional lanes of traffic onto Tahunanui Drive and Rocks Road. These proposals are unwise from a Tahunanui community perspective, from a climate change perspective with Rocks Road becoming increasingly vulnerable and also because the area is Nelson’s most scenic with the greatest opportunities for recreation and tourism.
The next step in enhancing Tahunanui is completion of the Great Taste Cycleway through the Nelson Golf Course, a project that I have helped facilitate and fund previously as Nelson’s MP. We also need to work with the Tahunanui Business and Citizens Assn on the continuous upgrade and improvements to the Beach Camp and waterfront community facilities. An initiative I would love to see advanced is a Tahunanui Surf Club facility at the beach so as to grow activities for Tahunanui’s young people alongside better facilities to support the local sports grounds.
The current Council has not been well connected to Tahunanui as evidenced by the recent controversy over the additional state highway lanes that Council initially supported. The Council needs to work harder to stay in touch. I will assign a specific Councillor from the new Stoke/Tahunanui Ward to work with the Assn. I am also proposing a Council presence at Nelson’s Saturday Market to help ensure Council better listens to its community.
I fully set out my positive plans for Nelson on my NickforMayor.nz website and welcome any further questions by email or phone.
Dr NICK SMITH Candidate for Mayor
ROHAN O’NEILL-STEVENS
How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
Tahunanui has long standing challenges of severance and accessibility, which need to be worked through in partnership with the local community. Tahunanui serves as the major gateway link to our city centre and Stoke, as well as being a destination and hub in it’s own right, and our council needs to play an active role in making sure its residents are well serviced with choice in how they get around and manage the adverse effects of those transiting through.
By working with Waka Kotahi and supporting placemaking initiatives we can improve the connection and accessibility of the area across the state highway, and increasing the walking and cycling connections – including the proposed waterfront link – is key to providing choice for residents. We already have significant changes planned for our public transport system to better service the area, and as Mayor I look forward to delivering them.
What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city?
Tahunanui is in many ways considered Nelson’s backyard – there would be few people who don’t make the most of the area in our summer months, and council needs to support this use through supporting infrastructure and communications. We need to be enabling the success of Tahunanui businesses, providing the resources and access required, while enhancing the amenity of the wider area.
As Mayor, I’ll work with the Chamber of Commerce, Nelson Regional Development Agency, and the Tahunanui Business and Citizens Association to develop localised programs for economic development and support, to maximise the area’s potential, and public promotion of Tahunanui as a destination. Through changes to our transport network, particularly enhancements to our bus system, I’ll work to increase accessibility of the area and bringing more people to the area, without placing further strain on parking and roading.
How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
The Tahunanui area will certainly change in the decades to come, both with a growing population and the increased risks from climate change. It’s crucial that in the next term of council, we engage with residents on the risks of climate change and sea level rise and develop a plan for risk management and potential future changes. In collaboration with the Tahunanui community, I’ll seek to oversee the development of a new structure plan for the area (replacing the 2004 Tahunanui structure plan) to guide investment and development for the next decade – and backing it up with a funded program to deliver it. Alongside this, I’ll progress changes to our district plan to enable development supportive to community aspirations and seek to facilitate the introduction of a local supermarket to service residents.
ROHAN O’NEILL STEVENS
Candidate for Mayor – Candidate for At Large Ward
MARGOT HALEY
How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city?
How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
I am a member of the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum social justice team and have been working with the
NCC Climate Adaptation team.
You cannot answer questions until you review Sea Level rise.
www.oceanlaw.co.nz
MARGOT HALEY
Candidate for At Large ward
LYNDELL DODUNSKI
We can’t address the reliability of the bus service until we immediately address the reliability of our roads. The constant roadworks are getting to everyone, impeding accessibility to attractions and amenities. Buses and the availability of parking are an important part of residents daily lives but also tourists.
The council needs to have a proactive, open communication with the residents, getting their ideas and feedback.
What is underrated in our area?
What do we want to improve our lives and the financial benefit?
Residents see on a daily basis because we live it.
Stoke-Tahunanui Ward is a marvellous slice of Nelson that is feeling undervalued, undermaintained with untapped potential. Every resident matters, regardless of age, ethnicity, housing status, or income level.
Lyndell Dodunski
Candidate for Stoke-Tahunanui Ward
SARAH MINCHINGTON
How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
I think it’s common knowledge that there are times in which Rocks Road becomes so busy particularly during summer that traffic can become backed up and traffic slows to a stand still. Any roading project need to be mindful of the Tahunanui area and the impact to it.
Q1. What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and it’s economic value as a gateway to the city?
Nelson Airport currently has 30 plus flights a day and a high number of those coming to Nelson hire cars. What
I find with my customers is that even if they are heading out of town, they will often make sure they come back for the Nelson Market. So how do we get people to have that same thought for something in Tahunanui. My first thought would be creating a place like Eat Street. Eat Street is located in Brisbane, a permanent outdoor eating, drinking, entertainment area that is open Friday, Saturday nights and all day Sunday.
Q2. How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
I would need to know what the future development plan was and talk to the community about how they felt about before I was to give an opinion as any decision for the community has to have the input of the community.
Sarah Minchington
Candidate for Stoke-Tahunanui Ward
VALMAI PALATCHIE
How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
Priority lanes have been chosen to solve Nelson’s long-term traffic troubles. I am not convinced that Tahunanui has the best solution and people I have spoken to were not on board with priority lanes. Something I think needs a lot more public input.
Q1. What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and its economic value as a gateway to the city?
1- Every community has unique assets that can be used to attract economic wealth. We have a huge asset “our beach” also our natural resource. Better care more promotion investing in projects that attract visitors. Adds value to people and property that have an economic value in the area.
2- Focus on businesses that are there and create relationships / look to big employers that could benefit from having training initiatives.
3- Identify what’s missing from a town.
Q2. How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
1- involve all residents on future planning
2- include discussions around resilience
3- meetings to hear the public’s objectives and long term goals
4- making sure we have a strong voice for Tahunanui residents at the council table.
Valmai Palatchie Stoke-Tahuna Ward
TIM SKINNER
How do you see the future transport issues of Nelson and their impact on Tahunanui?
The recent rain event has shown again how vulnerable our transport connection is, in relying on Rocks Road and Waimea Road, and definitely has no capacity for future growth.
Waka Kotahi NZTA and future council need to reconsider the original inland route and or tunnel for the long term safe transport needs.
I do not support clearways at the Tahuna intersection or along Tahuna Drive.
Q1. What is your vision for promoting Tahunanui and the economic value as a gateway to the city?
Need more balanced attention and investment in beautifying Tahuna and Stoke business centres as well, not just the current focus on the city centre CBD. Greater NRDA marketing of this beautiful region.
Q2. How would you support the future development of the Tahunanui community?
We can’t continue to take the retreat option for the back beach erosion. This area needs an engineering solution to protect our Tahunanui reserve from losing futher land. Improve the sporting facilities. Redesign the awkward cycling route currently along Muritai Street. The Tahunanui recreational reserve, beach areas and Rocks Rd outlook is a gem for Nelson community and visitors to Nelson alike, and needs further protection.
Tim Skinner
Candidate for Mayor and At Large Ward