Nelson Council roundup April 5-9
Nelson City Council was all about you this week - your submissions, that is. So what’s a submission and how (or why) should you make one?
It’s been a week of public hearings for the Nelson City Council, with two regional transport committee meetings dedicated to hearing submissions and two submissions to the infrastructure committee as well.
The two submissions to Thursday’s meeting of the infrastructure committee were so unusual it left councillors taken aback – because both were very positive.
First up were representatives from the Glen, specifically Seafield Terrace, which was extensively damaged by ex-cyclone Fehi with almost all positive feedback about the revetement built to protect the road, along with minor suggested improvements. Next were representatives from the Nelson branch of Blind Citizens New Zealand. Karen Wilson was all praise for the council’s Barnes Dance crossing and the revamped Halifax/Rutherford St crossing, which included bright colours and tactile surfaces.
City councillors never miss a chance to call for more public submissions (Rachel Reese called for them at Thursday’s meeting regarding the region’s wastewater plans) but the process can seem confusing or not worth the effort to some people – especially factoring in the perception some have that the council doesn’t take submissions into account.
The bulk of those submissions this week were heard during the two regional transport committee hearings on two proposed plans for transport across the top of the South for the next decade.
With the draft plan approved by NCC and the TDC at the beginning of the year, the public got to have their say during the consultation period from February 17 to March 17, receiving nearly 200 submissions between the two. After the hearings held this week, the ball is back in the councils’ court to deliberate on the submissions, and eventually adopt the finished plans.
Anyone is able to submit on the proposals during the consultation process – either as an individual or on behalf of an organisation. Submissions do not have to be lengthy and there is no set format, but it should be noted that they are in the public domain and open for anyone to read.
While someone’s written submission is enough to speak for itself, anyone who gives feedback also has the opportunity to go a hearing and talk directly to the council.
The advantage of this is being able to expand further on what is in your written submission – and to answer any questions councillors may have about it.
As there are often a lot of speakers to get through – speaking time is limited to five minutes for individuals, and 10 minutes for groups.
Submissions are currently open for the council’s Long Term Plan, closing on April 21, with hearings scheduled for May. Submissions can be made online at the council’s Shape Nelson page on this and other issues, or via hardcopies found at Civic House.