NEW CUTS TO WATER AS BIG DRY BITES

Sections of the Waimea River are expected to be dry within days as the region’s drought continues to bite. Water permit holders across the Reservoir, Waimea West, Upper Confined, Delta and Golden Hills zones will move to stage two or 35 per cent rationing next Monday and the Tasman District Council is monitoring salinity levels in coastal wells. The council’s dry weather taskforce convener, Dennis BushKing, said the Waimea River would be down to flowing at about 2 cubic metres a second at the Wairoa Gorge by Monday. Groundwater levels are also continuing to drop on the Waimea Plains.

(The Nelson Mail Wednesday, February 11, 2015)

JUMP IN HOUSE SALES SHOWS MARKET STRONG

An increase in house sales in Nelson last month compared to the same period last year reflects a stronger market, latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) statistics show. A total of 85 homes were sold in Nelson last month and, despite a 9.6 per cent decrease compared to December last year, the number was much higher than January 2014’s 59 homes sold. It was a positive sign for the market, said REINZ Nelson spokesman Darryl Marshall. REINZ statistics showed Richmond had fewer homes sold last month, with a 42.9 per cent decrease recorded compared to December 2014 and a 38.5 per cent decrease compared to January 2014. REINZ statistics showed median house prices remained static last month in the region, with a small increase of 0.6 per cent at $352,000, compared to $350,000 in December 2015.The median house price in Nelson city of $350,000 rose by $7000 last month compared to December 2014, a 2 per cent increase.

HOUSING MARKET

Median Prices

(The Nelson Mail Thursday, February 12, 2015)

PLANS FOR CITY'S FUTURE LAID OUT

Amalgamation is back on the agenda in Nelson City Council’s long term plans. Yesterday Nelson city councillors sent away the business plan, Nelson’s Long Term Plan 2015-2025, for audit ahead of putting it out for public consultation. Its message is clear: Nelson is open for business – but the purse strings are being held tight. The plan details the council’s spending and key projects and priorities over the next 10 years, and sets a direction for the city’s future. The plan has gone to the auditor-general before it can be released for public consultation next month.

(The Nelson Mail Friday, February 13, 2015)

FUTURE OF BROOK FOR DISCUSSION

The future of the Brook Valley Holiday Park and the surrounding recreation reserve is to be discussed at a public meeting called by the Nelson City Council. The meeting, beginning on Tuesday at 5pm in the council chamber, will update those interested in the progress of a draft Brook Recreation Reserve Management Plan. The plan, called for after a bombshell council announcement in March last year that it intended to close the campground caused consternation among long-term residents, will set out the activities that can take place within the area of council-owned land in the Brook Valley. The council decided this week to support the gondola project in principle when it approved sending the draft long-term plan for audit ahead of public consultation. In November the council assured the remaining camp residents – about half the original 50 – that there would be no decision on the future of the campground until the management plan was adopted.

(The Nelson Mail Saturday, February 14, 2015)

"THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK"

Duke & Cooke Property News is a clipping service publication compiled by Duke & Cooke Ltd, valuation and property specialists. The information contained within this newssheet are excerpts of property-related articles from current local news sources. Full attribution is given for the source of the extracts in order that the reader may refer to the source articles for full information. As this publication is a clipping service only, the articles included do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Duke & Cooke, and these items are included impartially and objectively.