Latest news with #ElmaTurnerLibrary
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Nelson Pre-Election Report Released As Nominations Open
Open for business, fiscally responsible and a good custodian of our environment, Nelson City Council has outlined its position to potential candidates and voters in the 2025 Local Elections in its Pre-Election Report released on Monday, 7 July. Nominations for the 2025 election opened on Friday 4 July and close at noon on 1 August 2025. People who want to stand as Mayor or as a Councillor need to fill out the forms linked below. Chief Executive Nigel Philpott says Council must evolve to ensure it meets the expectations of its community now and in the future. 'As a city, and as a Council, we are open for business—not just in what we say, but in how we operate,' he says. 'We're actively working to reduce barriers in support of growth and innovation and create an environment where enterprise and community can thrive in a sustainable way. At the same time, we need to take a leadership role in our community's drive to reduce climate change emissions and make sound choices about some important investment decisions.' The report sets out Council's financial and strategic position, along with the opportunities and challenges that are anticipated in the next triennium. 'I encourage you to read this report—whether you're considering standing for Council, preparing to vote, or simply interested in Nelson's future – as its purpose is to set out an accurate picture of Council that can inform political debate in the election run-up.' The election will take place while Council staff continue work to deliver our Shaping Our Future programme. Shaping Our Future is about Council doing things differently—ensuring that our services and processes work effectively for Nelson — not just for today, but for the years ahead. As part of this, we are looking at how we can create a future-proofed Council that is more efficient, adaptable, and focused on delivering the best possible services to our community. 'As Council has grown into a large and complex organisation managing more than $2.5 billion of assets, so too has the expectation placed upon it,' says Nigel. 'Council's role is to act as a good custodian of our existing assets, providing value for money and excellent services. We will invest in our city where there is a strong strategic need to do so, but we will also seek to improve and maintain what we already have while maintaining a particular focus on keeping our costs under control.' One of the most significant investment decisions on the horizon is how Council addresses the condition of Elma Turner Library and Civic House. Both buildings are vital public assets that are at the end of their lives, making them increasingly more expensive to maintain. 'These buildings have inherent limitations compared to modern facilities and are no longer fit-for-purpose in their current form,' says Nigel. 'Elma Turner Library—originally a repurposed car showroom made up of an assortment of extensions, some dating back to the 1950s—has required costly interim strengthening works,' says Nigel. 'If ageing systems in Civic House or the Library were to fail this would result in large unbudgeted capital expenditure at short notice and the buildings would not be able to be occupied until systems were restored. 'The solutions aren't straightforward, but they are achievable. Public consultation will be a key part of determining how we respond to these legacy infrastructure challenges in a way that balances cost, risk, and long-term value for our community.' To do this most effectively, Council is considering a new approach for the next Long Term Plan that would cap our planned budgets and place greater emphasis on maintaining and renewing the assets we already have to ensure we develop an achievable and affordable ten year work programme. Forms required to stand for Mayor or as a councillor in the 2025 election. To find out everything you need to know about standing as an elected member or voting in the 2025 Local Elections please visit our website:
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Last 50 Years Of Nelson Council Go Down In History
Nelson City Council's history has been turned into a trilogy with the launch of a new volume documenting its last 50 years. For its 50th and 100th anniversaries, the council had commissioned histories of the preceding 50 years. In 2023, the council agreed to write a third to mark its sesquicentenary – or 150th anniversary. That latest instalment, Welcome to Whakatū Nelson City Council 1974–2024, was launched on Thursday afternoon at the Elma Turner Library. Written by local historian Dr Paul Christoffel, the book covers everything from the council's acceptance of Melrose House as a gift in 1975 to the public consultation on its controversial housing intensification in 2024. It was Christoffel's first foray into documenting the history of local government and he said it was 'bloody hard work'. 'When I came into this, I thought, 'oh, it's only 50 years, that won't be such a big deal'. But what I gradually discovered was the enormous amount of stuff that councils do, it's just quite phenomenal.' It took him about 18 months to write – 'quite a short space of time' in terms of history books – and he said 'an awful lot' had to be left out. One such piece of information that wasn't featured in the book, but had captured Christoffel's attention, was one radio segment featuring then-council officer Pat Dougherty, who would, years later, become the council's chief executive. Dougherty had gone on the radio to defend the council's plans to build Tantragee Water Treatment Plant from callers opposed to the plan when he heard a familiar voice. 'He said: 'is that you, Peter?'' Christoffel said. 'He recognized his voice, even though he didn't say who he was, and it was the former mayor, Peter Malone!' Though once controversial at the time, the construction of the water treatment plant is one such achievement lauded within the history book and was a key highlight for Mayor Nick Smith. 'The most striking feature for me on this issue is just how much our city has progressed over the last 50 years,' Smith said. He reflected on how, in 1974, the city's water was rationed and regarded as some of the worst in the country. However, with the construction of the Maitai Dam and the water treatment plant, Nelson's water was now 'some of the best and most secure in the country', Smith said. '[The book] is actually an important reflection on the people, the projects, and the progress that our city has made.' However, he added that the book had nearly not happened, with it being deemed 'hardly a priority' following the August 2022 storm event. Had it not been for the advocacy of the Nelson Historical Society and the City of Nelson Civic Trust, Smith wouldn't have renewed the idea which was eventually unanimously supported by the council. Councillor Mel Courtney, who also sat on the council during its centenary celebrations 50 years ago, thought it was important to chronicle the past. 'Documenting council's rich history gives us a sense of who we are, where we came from, and where we're going,' he said. About $175,000, including $20,000 from the City of Nelson Civic Trust, went towards the council's anniversary commemorations, with most of the funds contributing to the book. Welcome to Whakatū Nelson City Council 1974–2024 is available for issue at Nelson's public libraries or to purchase from local independent bookstore Page & Blackmore, and will be made available as an ebook. 'It inspires the next generation to make good decisions, to further build the city's unique character, and make sure that Nelson is the best little city, in the best little country, in the world,' Smith said.
