The future of woodburner activity in Nelson’s airsheds should be made public by early June.
The controversial issue saw 18 groups and individuals present submissions on the Nelson City Council’s proposed woodburner plan change to independent commissioners last week.
The Nelson Woodburner Lobby Group was given the opportunity to present their submission on Thursday.
The group, headed by Peter Olorenshaw, said the National Environmental Standard (NES) compliant model of woodburner was the preferred choice of most ratepayers. This was backed up by other submitters and the results of a February ratepayer survey.
Using statistics of monitoring levels of particulate matter under 10 micrograms (pm10) around St Vincent St, the group concluded that car emissions were a bigger contributor to air quality issues than woodburners.
(The Nelson Mail, Monday, May 9th, 2016)
Nelson-based Abbeyfield NZ’s new chief executive Susan Jenkins says its successful housing model for independent older people might have to change as it adjusts to reduced Government support and higher land and building costs.
Since its first Abbeyfield opened in Nelson in 1994, the nonprofit society has established 11 more around the country, with four in development.
The houses are typically home to 12-14 residents, each with a studio-style room and ensuite, with shared living areas and a housekeeper providing two meals a day and general support. Local volunteers operate management committees and New Zealand superannuation is sufficient to fund living in them, with no capital cost to the residents.
This model – originating in the UK – aims to keep older people active within their communities and to address the issues of loneliness and insecurity that many face.
There are Abbeyfield houses in Stoke, Tahunanui, Motueka, Golden Bay, Masterton, Whangarei, Hamilton, Auckland, Dunedin, Palmerston North, Wakatipu and Christchurch. Those under development are in Ellesmere, Whanganui, Greymouth, Kapiti and a second in Wakatipu.
(The Nelson Mail, Tuesday, May 10th, 2016)
House hunters could face new restrictions on borrowing, with the Government confirming it may allow the Reserve Bank to introduce loan to income restrictions.
Yesterday the Reserve Bank confirmed it was investigating the growing gap between incomes and house prices in Auckland, and whether to create new restrictions.
Prime Minister John Key said while he did not want the restrictions imposed, it would consider giving the Reserve Bank the power to add them if governor Graeme Wheeler requested it.
Since mid-2015 the Reserve Bank had been gathering income on borrowing income from the major banks. The average house in Auckland was now nine times the average income in the city, making it one of the most expensive cities on earth by that measure.
This compared to a little over five times income across New Zealand, Wheeler said.
‘‘Auckland is 70 per cent higher in terms of that ratio than the rest of the country, so that’s a concern,’’ Wheeler said, adding that in Tauranga and Hamilton house price inflation was 18 to 25 per cent, depending on the choice of measurement. ‘‘So it’s not just an Auckland issue.’’
ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley said that while it may take time to convince the Reserve Bank that action was essential, further lending restrictions were likely this year.
(The Nelson Mail, Thursday, May 12th, 2016)
The Nelson City Council will come in under its long-term forecast on both its rates and debt level for 2016-17 but ratepayers will still face a close to 3 per cent increase.
The council’s draft annual plan will be signed off on June 2 and come into force on July 1. Barring last-minute fine-turning, it brings a rate increase of 2.84 per cent compared with the long-term plan figure of 3.4 per cent, and debt of $131 million compared with $133m in the long-term plan.
It will add $70 to an average residential property’s rates.
The Tasman District Council has just settled on a one per cent rates rise but Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese said the two councils had quite different financial profiles.
Other spending decided during the deliberations:
Confirmation of $400,000 for the creation of the Trafalgar Centre theatre.
$88,000 for the joint cricket/target shooting facility at Saxton Field to cover geotechnical excavations, council levies and the fundraising shortfall, with a further $70,000 for the verandah and pathways.
$2,500 for a wash-down for kitesurfing at Tahunanui Beach.
$20,000 for an upgraded hammer throw cage at the Saxton athletics track.
$25,000 for the development of a freedom camping strategy, and $10,000 for sinks in two parking areas.
$50,000 for the conservation of the Cawthron Steps.
$60,000 for an enhanced woodburner behaviour change programme.
(The Nelson Mail, Saturday, May 14th, 2016)
If you have ever admired the large, white bay windows from the historic Trathen’s building, the opportunity to grab them has come up.
The iconic building will be demolished soon and in preparation the family are asking for offers on the windows.
Director of Trathen’s Properties Ken Trathen said they’re hoping to find a loving home for the historic glass.
The Trathens are considering any bids for the large windows, which will be taken out by removalists.
In March Trathen’s chief executive Michelle Trathen said they’re still deciding on when exactly the building will be demolished.
‘‘We’re working on plans at the moment, it will happen as soon as we can get it underway,’’ she said.
Ken Trathen said they were still unsure when it would be coming down.
It was announced in August last year that a multimillion-dollar complex would be replacing the old building.
The decision came after the building needed to be strengthened for earthquakes or demolished by December 2019.
(The Nelson Mail, Saturday, May 14th, 2016)
"If you're going through hell,
keep going".
Winston Churchill