Port Nelson has reported a solid result for the 2016 year with an operating profit of $18.3 million as against a figure of $17.9 million in the previous year. This was ahead of budget due in main to higher than expected cargo revenue tonne and container volumes.
Port Nelson Chairman Phil Lough reported to shareholders at the company’s AGM on Wednesday that overall cargo volumes were up on budget despite the hailstorm in early December of 2015 that hit apple export volumes for the second year in a row, following a similar event in late 2014.
Key projects currently underway included: The Plant and Food Research development on Akersten St, a new all-weather workshop facility being built on Rogers St and the a 13,000-square metre warehouse development on Vickerman St.
Rationalisation of the Port Nelson log storage areas in the last 12 months including the establishment of a new modern weighbridge would mean less double handling of logs going forward and also freed up some former log site areas for further development.
(The Nelson Mail, Monday, September 26th, 2016)
Nelson city’s shortage of land continues to drive high competition and push other buyers to outlying areas, according to real estate agents and property developers.
Wakatu property general manager Iain Sheves said the company had a number of Nelson city developments underway but areas past Richmond, particularly Motueka, could not be built fast enough.
He said building new homes in Nelson city had ‘‘limitations’’.
‘‘There’s not a huge amount of land, if any, in and around Nelson and there’s constraints around the topography, ground conditions and servicing (infrastructure).’’
Nelson mayor Rachel Reese said the city had a ‘‘major backlog’’ in terms of basic infrastructure that not only halted land supply for buyers but also stopped redevelopment of land previously used for industrial purposes.
She said the NCC was behind by about $56 million over a 10 year period in terms of new or additional infrastructure that would allow for more section builds.
Despite Nelson’s limited land supply the Nelson-Tasman region has matched nation-wide trends that saw a 16 per cent jump in building consents this financial year, according to Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) statistics.
NCC showed a total of 521 residential consents and 126 commercial consents for 2015-2016.
(The Nelson Mail, Monday, September 26th, 2016)
History and modernity will collide this weekend when the Suter Art Gallery finally throws its doors open after a $12 million refurbishment.
The revamp has taken two years to create a space with modern, clean lines that encompasses the original brickwork and lofty wooden roof of the main gallery room, which opened in 1899.
Patton said watching the finishing touches being applied ahead of the gallery’s grand opening made him grin from “ear to ear”.
He said the upgrade would attract exhibitions which would inspire artists and the community alike.
The new gallery has three exhibition spaces, a sculpture walk, an education centre and a contemplation gallery.
(The Nelson Mail, Tuesday, September 27th, 2016)
It has taken 12 long years, but the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary has finally been able to celebrate the completion of its pest-proof fence.
The milestone was celebrated yesterday with a ‘‘fence party’’, which was kicked off with an powhiri and a ceremony with dignitaries htat included a visit from Prime Minister John Key.
In his speech, Key said the fence was the result of a ‘‘great vision’’ of the local community and had ‘‘the support of a lot of very generous people in terms of both money and time’’.
Nelson mayor Rachel Reese said the day was a very special occasion, marking the end of a long journey.
(The Nelson Mail, Friday, September 30th, 2016)
A failure to meet the unprecedented demand for housing in Nelson-Tasman could see the region’s most desirable areas become as unaffordable as parts of Auckland, a property expert warns.
The prediction is based on the median household income to median house price multiplier, a crude measure of housing affordability.
‘‘The way our market is going, it’s possible that our multiplier could get to that of Auckland’s – a median house price of around $700,000 at today’s income levels,’’ Property InDepth Nelson valuer Jaimie Barber said.
QV Nelson valuer Craig Russell said it was ‘‘unlikely’’ that NelsonTasman would become as unaffordable as parts of Auckland.
‘‘It is more probable that the central city will see more intensification of the housing stock, with more apartments built to satisfy demand as it arises.’’
Nelson City and Tasman District councils have identified the need to release more land and intensify existing residential zones to address the region’s housing shortage and prepare for rapid population growth.
TDC is looking at extending Richmond’s boundaries as it runs out of serviceable land and NCC is working to clear a backlog of infrastructure projects and encourage inner-city, intensive developments.
‘‘Our focus at the moment is creating an environment where it’s possible for those properties to be developed,’’ Nelson mayor Rachel Reese said.
Reese said the council had waived development contributions for residential property within the CBD and the city fringe as an ‘‘incentive’’ for more central housing. ‘‘I don’t want Nelson to be under those same pressures as Auckland.’’
(The Nelson Mail, Saturday, October 1st, 2016)
“What we think determines what happens to us,
so if we want to change our lives,
we need to stretch our minds.”
Wayne Dyer