A suspicious fire has destroyed an 87-year-old Nelson building in Ngawhatu Valley, Stoke threatening nearby pine forest.
The villa was ‘‘completely destroyed’’ but the exterior walls were still standing after firefighters managed to control the flames.
There were plans for the structure, near the new Montebello housing development, to be renovated into apartments but Nilsen said the building would most likely need to be demolished now.
(The Nelson Mail, Monday, November 14th, 2016)
Richmond and Mapua are in urgent need of new infrastructure for residential development to capitalise on the ‘‘feeding frenzy’’ market, says a top developer.
Graeme Dick, who spoke in the public forum section of a Tasman District Council engineering services committee meeting last Thursday, said he was a developer for seven syndicates in the district.
TDC was at least ‘‘five-plus’’ years behind in adequate services development/investment and at least 10 years behind in adequate forward planning for growth, Dick said.
The two primary areas for fast growth were Richmond and Mapua. Dick said, in his opinion, 50 per cent of growth was likely to be ‘‘Richmond orientated’’ with probably 25-30 per cent at Mapua. Richmond was marginally ahead of Mapua for quicker servicing and infrastructure growth but was still two to three years behind in services availability. Mapua was three to five years behind, primarily with water services, and required ‘‘extremely urgent’’ action for at least water pipe renewal from Richmond and some wastewater investment.
He suggested investment ‘‘in the area of $6m to $7m’’ would result in a large development area. Dick’s comments came in response to a report by TDC development engineer Dugald Ley, which says residential development in Richmond, Mapua and Motueka has increased at a ‘‘frantic pace’’ over the past two to three years. Growth had outstripped predictions in the council’s Long Term Plan 2015-25 by about 300 per cent.
He told councillors there was about 46 hectares of land zoned residential in Richmond, Mapua and Motueka that was ‘‘ready to go’’.
‘‘So essentially about 469 sections out there that if they put an application in it’s ... likely they would get approval for that.’’
Another 426 sections were consented, some of which were under construction.
However, motivated developers had the potential for about 1900 sections ‘‘to be available almost immediately’’ in areas zoned residential but deferred because of a lack of services. Of the 155ha involved, about 90ha was at Richmond West and 15ha at Richmond South.
In his report, Ley says the pace of development has consumed much of Tasman’s capacity in readily serviced land.
‘‘The consequence is that there is a limited number of lots on the market in a period of very high demand,’’ he says. ‘‘This has contributed to escalating section prices and a lack of choice for many would-be home owners.’’
Dick said Ley’s report was a mostly accurate assessment of the situation but it lacked a call for urgency.
There should be ‘‘extreme urgency to capitalise on the feeding frenzy market that has been indicated to council would happen as much as three years ago’’.
(The Nelson Mail, Tuesday, November 15th, 2016)
Tasman District Council has made no ‘‘definitive decision’’ on whether it will guarantee any capital funding Crown Irrigation may loan for the proposed Waimea dam, says mayor Richard Kempthorne.
John Palmer, strategic adviser for dam proponent Waimea Irrigators Ltd, last week put the suggestion to councillors of a TDC ’’backstop’’ role for any Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd funding.
It would be ‘‘last resort’’ cover in the ‘‘highly unlikely event’’ any outstanding loan from Crown Irrigation could not be refinanced after a proposed 15-year term, Palmer said.
Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd acts on behalf of the Government as a bridging investor for regional water infrastructure development. Its chief executive, Murray Gribben, signalled in October that Crown Irrigation could provide up to $25 million for the proposed dam in the Lee Valley.
However, Palmer told councillors Crown Irrigation must be assured it would get back its capital and had ‘‘sought that council could act as a backstop’’. It was not expected that responsibility would fall on general ratepayers.
Kempthorne said the councillors did consider the request but had made no definitive decision. It was likely to be discussed on December 1 when the next full meeting of the council was scheduled.
(The Nelson Mail, Wednesday, November 16th, 2016)
Planning is under way for a health centre in Mapua and the community is invited to have their say about the services it could offer.
GP Tim Phillips and retired Mapua businessman Dale Vercoe discussed their vision for the centre at a meeting of the Mapua and Districts Community Association in September. The first community meeting was held in October to discuss its future.
A group of residents had formed a ‘‘think tank’’ to drive ideas forward and member Graeme Stradling said the second community meeting would be a casual, interactive session, allowing members of the community to put their ideas forward.
The ideas forum at the Mapua Hall will be held on Wednesday November 23 at 6.30pm.
(The Nelson Mail, Friday, November 18th, 2016)
Tasman District Council will not guarantee $25m in capital funding that Crown Irrigation may loan for the proposed Waimea dam.
TDC chief executive Lindsay McKenzie said the council did not agree to a request from dam proponent Waimea Irrigators Ltd that it underwrite the proposed funding from Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd, which acts on behalf of the Government as a bridging investor for regional water infrastructure development.
However, the council was ‘‘looking at ways to ensure the project isn’t compromised by the Crown’s need ... to protect its capital’’, McKenzie said, adding he would bring back a report to councillors on the matter.
The council has earmarked $25 million in its Long Term Plan for the project and has estimated the dam could cost $82.5m.
(The Nelson Mail, Friday, November 18th, 2016)
The former United Video premises on Nelson’s Vanguard St is now home to a bike shop with a difference.
Although it is the first known example of its kind in New Zealand, The Bike Station has taken a leaf from overseas retailers, offering a broader customer experience to selling and servicing bikes, including coffee, food and even showers for cycle commuters who need to freshen up.
(The Nelson Mail, Saturday, November 19th, 2016)
”If you fell down yesterday,
stand up today”.
H. G. Wells