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Duke & Cooke Property News |
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Published on: 22nd June 2009 RATES RISE LIMITED TO 3.2PC RATES RISE LIMITED TO 3.2PCNelson rates and charges are set to increase 3.2 per cent this year, after the Nelson City Council took the scalpel yesterday to a long wishlist of projects. The council has stuck to its promise of ensuring there is no repeat of last year's 11.95 per cent increase. It has also stuck to a plan to suspend loan repayments over the next five years as a means of keeping rates down, a move that has attracted wide criticism from the community. Interest payments will still be made, but payments will be withheld on the principal. The decision will contribute $10 million to a forecast maximum increase in debt of $169 million in 2013-14. It is currently $85.7m. Key items in the Nelson City Council's 2009-10 budget: - Performing arts and conference centre: $5 million. - A reduction in loan interest costs of about $600,000 a year. - Funding an additional $470,000 for improvements to the Trafalgar Centre, including toilets and changing facilities at the western side. - Additional funding for the Nelson Richmond commuter bus service: $37,000. - An increase in funding for the changing rooms, toilets, maintenance building at Saxton Field of $240,000 to bring the total up to $990,000. - Providing support for the Theatre Royal by underwriting a $1.2m loan. (The Nelson Mail, Tuesday 16 June 2009) NEW SURF CLUB BASE A STEP CLOSERThe Nelson Surf Life Saving Club wants to build a new $1.7 million community centre at the Tahunanui playing field which would include new sports changing rooms, a community hall and act as a base for the club and other organisations. Club president Marcus Gardner said it had made a submission during the Nelson City Council's annual plan process asking for council support to investigate the idea further. The club had not asked for council funding at this stage, he said. (The Nelson Mail, Tuesday 16 June 2009) CONSENT PROCESS STUMPS SCHOOL SALEA Nelson man who desperately needs to sell a Stoke property that served as a private school says he has been "crippled" by the resource consent process delaying - and now preventing - its sale. The Seventh Day Adventist Church signed up to buy the Independent Middle School in Towai St last November. Seven months later it has been forced to pull out of the deal because the Nelson City Council will only allow it to meet there three times a month outside of its regular church services. Seventh Day Adventist building committee board chairman Tom Harvey said it had spent about $20,000 on the application and was "very disappointed" at the outcome. A small group of neighbours had strongly objected and the council staff member who ended up handling the application was "totally against us". Council resource consents manager Mandy Bishop said the consent application was received on February 5 and further information sought. The staff member who dealt with it was called away because of family illness and there was a small delay. (The Nelson Mail, Tuesday 16 June 2009) DEMISE OF PUB REVEALS SECRETSThe space under the floorboards of one of Richmond's oldest kitchens resembles a tip. Yesterday, the floorboards in the kitchen of the soon-to-be demolished Railway Hotel were pulled up, revealing a pile of rubbish. The rubbish traces the history of the building, dating back to when it was built in 1883. It appears that the people who stayed in the hotel ate well, with piles of discarded mussel, oyster and cockle shells among the interesting mix of objects unearthed. Knives and forks, an old scrubbing brush, pieces of china, cups and even a few old shoes were also among the rubble, said Nelson archaeologist Amanda Young. Ms Young will monitor the building as work progresses on its demolition and the subsequent bulldozing of the site, documenting the original foundations, landscape features and anything else of historical interest. (The Nelson Mail, Wednesday 17 June 2009) GENERAL RATES TO RISE NEXT MONTHNelson property owners can expect to pay on average $1.27 a week more in general rates from next month, although owners of high-value properties are looking at around $6 or more a week extra. Owners of lower value properties could pay less than $1 a week more in rates, the Nelson City Council said of the method it uses to apportion rates and charges bills. Chief executive Keith Marshall said the overall 3.2 per cent rise decided on this week is a combination of rates and water charges, which take into account a number of factors including land values. Properties in Nelson are rated on their land value as opposed to capital value. The average rates increase also takes into account a uniform annual general charge, plus sewerage, stormwater and water costs. Mr Marshall said that in simple terms, owners of high value properties in Nelson and who have high water usage will pay more than a 3.2 per cent increase in rates this year. Those with lower valued properties and who use lower volumes of water will pay less. (The Nelson Mail, Wednesday 17 June 2009) CAMPERVANS COULD GET MAITAI CLUB SITEThe Nelson City Council is eyeing Kinzett Tce, where the Maitai Club is situated, as a possible overnight spot for motorhomes seeking central city parking. Staff and councillors have faced the vexed issue of "freedom campers" and the need for a suitable alternative site once the Trafalgar Centre is no longer available after July 1. (The Nelson Mail, Thursday 18 June 2009) SUPPORT BUT NOT SITE FOR CENTREA model "village" with an education centre, community gardens and nursery that would demonstrate sustainable living practices is planned by the Nelson Environment Centre, but first is has to secure a site. An approach to the Nelson City Council's community services committee seeking its support to make land available at Miyazu Park in Atawhai has gained a lukewarm response because of challenges associated with the land use. Councillors agreed yesterday to support the environment centre's plans for a sustainabililty centre and receive further information for consideration when it became available. (The Nelson Mail, Friday 19 June 2009) HOSPITAL OPENING ENDS 16-YEAR EFFORTMotueka's new, state-of-the-art community hospital will be opened tomorrow, ending a 16-year fight to retain a public hospital in the town. The 45-bed hospital was constructed by the Friends of the Motueka Community Hospital Trust, which was formed in 1993 when the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board threatened to close the existing hospital. The trust has spent the last 16 years raising funds, purchasing land and working towards the building of the Courtney St hospital, and it will finally realise its dream tomorrow. Trust chairman Jack Inglis said the Motueka community had provided overwhelming support for the project, raising $3.5 million to help pay for the 1780-square-metre building. Sixteen donations exceeding $100,000 had been received from families, businesses had donated goods and services and churches had held fundraisers, enabling the $12m hospital to be constructed for just $4.5m, he said. (The Nelson Mail, Friday 19 June 2009) GUARDIANS WANT TO PLAN TO PROTECT GARDENSThe guardians of Nelson's Queen's Gardens want to build on moves to protect the heritage gardens, and have asked the city council to create a management plan. However, the work required to carry out the task within the next year would require a re-prioritisation of work already under way on reserve management plans, Nelson City Council community policy and planning manager Nicky McDonald said. The gardens, owned by the council, are described as a classical Victorian ornamental park. They were recently awarded a category two listing by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, largely as a result of the work of retired Nelson architect Ellen Brinkman and her partner David Russell, and with the support of the Queen's Gardens Preservation Society. (The Nelson Mail, Friday 19 June 2009) MOTORHOME PARKING OPTION FOUNDThe Nelson City Council has agreed to pursue the option of designating parking space outside the Maitai Club at Kinzett Tce as a central-city site for overnight parking by self-contained motorhomes. The council chief executive will now include in negotiations with the club a variation to the existing lease to allow part of the car park to be used by motorhomes. The area will be off limits to freedom campers without toilet facilities in their vans and motorhomes, but a portaloo will be set up on site for a trial period this summer, city council parks and facilities manager Paul McArthur said. (The Nelson Mail, Friday 19 June 2009) PROPERTY WATCHVideo Ezy shift A new building under construction in Nelson's Vanguard St is set to become the new home of the Video Ezy that currently operates just over the road. Anita Kelling, who owns the franchise with her husband Edward, said they were shifting to take advantage of "pristine new premises" which had become available. The new store would be "slightly smaller" but there was a lot of wasted space in the current premises and customers were unlikely to notice the reduced size, she said. The move is scheduled to take place on June 28. Sales below RV Quotable Value sales statistics show some properties are still struggling to live up to their rateable values, even those issued with new valuations late last year. A 1990s home in Hunter Ave, Richmond, with a rateable value of $510,000 sold for $480,000 last month while a section on the same street with a RV of $195,000 fetched $158,000. Another 1990s dwelling at 10 Regent Lane, Richmond, with a RV of $760,000 sold for $675,000. In Upper Moutere, a 4.5ha property and home at 115 Tarrant Rd sold for $660,000 despite having a RV of $740,000. All the Tasman district properties had their three-yearly values updated last year while Nelson's are due for renewal this year. A property at 5 Shelborne St, Nelson, with the 2006 RV of $530,000 sold in April for $521,037 after selling in 2006 for $570,000 and in 2004 for $580,000. Keen interest in lots The developers of the property on the corner of Champion Rd and Park Drive, Richmond, have sought consent to subdivide into six 2000sq m lots, one of which will include the existing house. Steffan Eden, a spokesman for Champion Rd Ltd, said consent was expected soon and construction would follow shortly after. "It is hoped that titles will be through early 2010." Mr Eden said prices would be available on application from prospective buyers. The marketing campaign starts this weekend with an open day on site tomorrow, but there had already been keen interest, he said. "It seems that despite the general slowdown in residential section sales there is still a market for larger sites such as these that offer more of a lifestyle option for buyers so close to Richmond. (The Nelson Mail, Saturday 20 June 2009) DID YOU KNOW?You can access for free the latest Rating Valuation information and rates data for virtually any property by visiting the appropriate local authorities web site. Locally, these are: THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK"A candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle." |
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This publication is compiled by Duke & Cooke Ltd, valuation and property specialists. The information contained within this newssheet has been obtained from various local sources and no responsibility is held for any parties relying on the accuracy of this information without obtaining independent verification. To contact us regarding circulation of this service: Phone +64 (03) 5489104, Fax +64 (03) 5468668, or email: admin@valuersnelson.co.nz |