Nelson Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
03 548 2770 41 Nile Street East, Nelson
03 548 2770 03 548East, 2770 41 Nelson 41 Nile Nile Street Street East, Nelson 41 Nile Street East, Nelson
Wednesday 13 December 2023
Top student heads south
Giants sign Fotu
Page 7
Page 22
8.2% rates rise on cards
KATE RUSSELL
Nelson ratepayers could be facing an 8.2 per cent rate rise next year, as well as a separate annual $330 charge for the next 10 years to help aid storm recovery. Both have been proposed to be
included for consultation in Nelson City Council’s draft Long Term Plan 2024-34, which will be considered by councillors at a full council meeting this Thursday. The $330 annual charge per household would help cover the $59.8 million bill the council is
facing for the August 2022 storm recovery and would be charged as a separate rate annually until 2034 - on top of regular rates. Mayor Nick Smith acknowledged in his report to the council that this would be a “significant and additional burden for our
community”. However, he says the council has been working hard to find potential savings to reduce costs, and the charge could have potentially been $500 if the Government had not come to the party. The current flood recovery cost
estimate is sitting at $89.5 million, but this has been offset by recovery from insurance of $2.3 million and Government funding of $27.4 million, leaving a net cost to the council of $59.8 million.
SEE PAGE 2
Thousands of people lined the streets of the central city on Sunday for the NBS Nelson Santa Parade. More than 50 floats spread Christmas cheer with local emergency services, ethnic community groups, voluntary organisations, businesses, sport teams, and Santa Claus himself making their appearance at the colourful event which was filled with happy faces, Christmas music and lollies. Event organiser, Alex Bradley, says the parade was merry. “It went really well, the rain came in and left just before we started, so it was a great day and everyone seemed very happy down Trafalgar St,” he says. “Thanks to all of those people who took the time to decorate floats and enter the parade as participants, and all of the people for coming out and donating to the Cans for Christmas charity drive.” Pictured is Birchwood School student Louie Marr Bridge, 7, on the Nelson Speedway float. Photo: Gordon Preece.
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
nelsonapp.co.nz