Media releases
 Want to stay updated on general Council news? Subscribe to the Council News RSS feed.
August
2008 Media release archive
2007 Media release
archive
New Chief Executive appointed to Nelson City Council
20 August 2008
Following a four month selection process Mr Keith Marshall has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Nelson City Council. Mr Marshall prevailed over 40 other applicants in a high class field of national and international candidates.
Mr Marshall is currently one of the Deputy Chief Executives of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
Mayor Marshall said Keith Marshall was appointed because of his depth of experience in senior management roles in both Local Government and the private sector.
“I am confident that Mr Marshall will be a very capable replacement for the present Chief Executive Viesturs Altments. The decision was a difficult one given the calibre of candidates and the service of Mr Altments, who has proved to be a very balanced and trusted leader for the last seven years.”
Keith is excited about the opportunities and challenges facing Nelson.
“I am proud to be following in the footsteps of the current Chief Executive Viesturs Altments and will look to build on his legacy of strong management. I look forward to working with the Council and Nelson community.”
Mr Altments has expressed strong support for the appointment. During the process he indicated a reluctance to commit to a further five year term had he been the preferred candidate.
“The appointment of Mr Keith Marshall, together with the direction of the new Council, is very positive for the long term future and prosperity of Nelson City.”
Mr Marshall will assume his new role in late October and Mr Altment’s contract will be extended to support the transition.
Mr Marshall has been with the NZQA in the role of Deputy Chief Executive, Strategic and Corporate Services Division for just over two years. Immediately prior to this he had worked in various consulting and senior management roles in both the commercial and government sectors. Keith’s earlier career highlights also include being Chief Executive of Hamilton City Council between 1992 and 1995.
Council stands by air quality plan
15 August 2008
Nelson City Council has yet to take receipt of a petition being circulated by the Owners of the Honest Lawyer Hotel and Country Pub in Monaco, seeking permission to continue using their open fire.
However under the terms of Nelson’s Air Quality Plan the use of open fires was banned as of 1 January 2008 so this is now a prohibited activity and no resource consent can be applied for, let alone granted.
Council promoted this ban heavily for more than four years leading up to it and also provided financial assistance for low income households to upgrade to cleaner heating options. Dr David Jackson, Council’s Senior Policy Planner, said “Under the Air Quality Plan, by law, the Council is not able to grant an exemption to the Honest Lawyer Hotel, even if it wanted to”.
Mayor Kerry Marshall said while he has some sympathy for the romantic notion of the Honest Lawyer’s open fire, we all have to accept that our air quality is paramount. “With some clever and smart thinking, I am confident that the unique ambience of the Honest Lawyer can be maintained by looking at other options that don’t pollute. There are many examples in Nelson of homes and businesses that have been in the same position as the Honest Lawyer, have made the shift, and are happy with the results.”
Since the banning of open fires at the start of the year, air quality monitoring has shown a consistent improvement compared to previous winters. Dr David Jackson says, “There are national environmental standards set down by central government that we have to meet. So far we’ve really appreciated the effort and commitment of the community to clearing our air. Although we have the power to impose fines for breaching the terms of the Air Quality Plan, we are really pleased that we haven’t had to use these measures as yet.”
Bobbies on bikes
14 August 2008
“Bobbies on Bikes” is a new initiative to promote cycle safety and use of alternative means of transport. This is a joint project with Nelson City Council and local Police utilizing funding from the NZ Transport Agency.Four bikes have been purchased and training has been provided for police staff.
Road Safety Co-ordinator Margaret Parfitt says, “Nelson City has a high number of cyclists and a roading and cycle network designed for growing numbers of commuter and recreational cyclists. However in Nelson and Tasman cyclists have traditionally been over represented in crash statistics.”
Police and other participating members of the local Road Safety Action Planning committee came up with the idea of having police officers riding cycles as a part of their normal duty as a way of engaging with the community and promoting safe cycling at the same time.
The idea was endorsed by the Regional Active Transport Forum, cycle advocacy group and council staff. It is part of a larger package that includes signage on police cars, targeted education and enforcement work.
Margaret Parfitt says there are many advantages to having the police on bikes. These include:
- Police have a whole new “empathy” for cyclists when it comes to vehicles driving/parking in cycle lanes / failure to give way etc.
- Ability to patrol off road cycle paths, lanes and urban linkages.
- Social interaction with the community is much more likely when the police officer is on a bike rather than in a car.
- All the usual environmental and health benefits that come with cycling.
Council nursery transferred to NelMAC
13 August 2008
The operation of the Council owned nursery at Atawhai Drive has now been transferred to NelMAC Ltd.
Council and NelMAC signed an agreement last week that included a five year supply contract for all the Council plant, tree and shrub requirements, the purchase of all equipment and a lease of the Nursery buildings and land.
Council workers employed at the nursery have been taken on by NelMAC. There are no job losses.
Nelson City Council has owned and operated a nursery at Atawhai Drive since 1991. The nursery mainly provides plant stock for use within the parks and reserves network as well as an important community facility that allows for community participation in nursery and planting activities.
Production at the nursery includes native and exotic trees and shrubs, large trees, bedding plants and the hanging baskets.
The change will allow for better alignment with the other parks operations work done by NelMAC as well as allowing for more efficient use of the site by growing plants for other wholesale clients in addition to Nelson City Council.
The high level of community involvement at the nursery such as the hanging basket volunteers and the Nelson Tree Planters will continue under the new agreement.
Mayor disappointed with rugby decision
12 August 2008
Nelson City Council Mayor Kerry Marshall has expressed deep disappointment with the New Zealand Rugby Union’s decision to cut the Tasman Makos from the Air New Zealand Cup competition next season.
“I’m very upset about the Unions’ decision and particularly the cavalier fashion in which it has been made. To me, the criteria for the decision and the logic seem flawed.”
“Nelson has the longest rugby history in the country and we are certainly not “minnows” in the game. I think recent performances like last weekends heart stopping win show the Makos are an extremely competitive team and to be relegated to the Heartland Championships is a real blow for the team and their supporters,” Mayor Marshall says.
“I urge all rugby fans to go along to the rest of the Makos games in the Air New Zealand Cup and get behind the team. It would be great to leave the competition sitting at the top of the table and our support can help that happen.”
The Tasman Makos next play on Sunday 17 August at 2.35pm at Trafalgar Park against Taranaki.
New Suter Board to meet
11 August 2008
The inaugural meeting of The Bishop Suter Trust will be held at 5.30pm on Tuesday 12 August (tomorrow) in the Nelson City Council Chamber.
The trust is a Council Controlled Organisation and the new trustees were appointed by Council’s Governance Committee in May.
This is their first formal meeting. The main business of the meeting is to elect a Chairperson and receive the resignations of the initial trustees Viesturs Altments and David Farnsworth who were appointed as ‘caretaker’ trustees until the new members could be appointed.
The Trustees are Sara Chapman, Jane Evans, Donna Hiser, Ian MacLennan, Craig Potton, Jane du Feu and John Rudge.
This meeting marks the end of a long process during which the 1896 Act under which the original Board had been constituted was repealed by an act of Parliament to allow the new Trust to be formed.
The meeting will be followed by a civic function to mark the transition from the Bishop Suter Art Gallery Trust Board to the new Trust.
Free green waste dumping extended
5 August 2008
Nelson City Council will continue to waive the fees for dumping green waste at the Pascoe Street Transfer Station until the closing time on Sunday 10 August 2008.
The extension is to give residents an opportunity to clean up storm damaged trees and shrubs over the weekend and still take advantage of the free dumping.
The Rotary clubs of Nelson have also offered assistance to those elderly or infirm residents who are unable to clear up their own storm damage. Residents who want to make use of this free service can register by contacting the Council on 5460 200.
Operation Storm Cleanup for those in need
5 August 2008
In the aftermath of last week’s storm the Nelson City Council has enlisted the help of Nelson’s Rotary Clubs to help clean up fallen trees and debris for those in need.
This help is for the elderly and others in our community who do not have the ability or resources to remove damaged vegetation or debris.
Anyone in need who wants to take advantage of this offer should ring the Council on 546 0200 to register. Their name, address and a description of the extent of the damage will be recorded and then matched with available volunteers.
Rotary will then contact those approved for help within a few days to arrange a suitable time for the operation.
It’s hoped the cleanup can be held this Saturday, weather permitting, and Rotarians will be wearing printed high vis vests as identification. There will not be any charge to householders for the help.
Council is grateful to Rotary for coming on board to help our community.
2008 Media release archive... |
