Sustainability
The Council offers a range of programmes on energy, water, biodiversity, waste and transport to empower our community to act on local environmental issues.
What
can I do?
Nelson’s environment is unique and belongs to all of us. By taking action now to become more sustainable, we are helping to preserve that unique environment for future generations.
Council believes that promotion of the sustainable management of our natural and physical resources cannot be achieved by rules and regulations alone.
Sustainable living
Establishing a sustainable household may mean changing
the way things are done.
- Start here with this comprehensive
guide to making your home and lifestyle more eco-friendly.
- Then attend a sustainable living course, and
- Follow up with ongoing continuing education to keep your
household's environmental "footprint" on the planet as small as possible.
Energy
Nelson City Council is an "Energy Wise Council" under the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority partnership. Being EnergyWise means thinking about how we generate energy and how we use it. It’s not necessarily about cutting down on the things we use energy for; sometimes it’s as simple as making small changes to normal activities.
Search the EECA website for a list of experts in Nelson - consultants, suppliers and products that can help you be energy wise in your home and business.
Energy
efficiency
Passive solar design
In Nelson we have the advantage of high annual sunshine hours.
By designing our subdivisions and houses to use passive solar
design and take advantage
of the sun, we can reduce our personal power and fuel bills
and have a more comfortable living environment. And that makes
good sense!
Healthy homes
Older houses in the Nelson Tasman region are eligible for the Healthier Homes Community Insulation Retrofit Project. If you live in the Nelson or Tasman regions, are a homeowner or tenant of a pre 1977 home and hold a current Community Services Card, learn more.
Energy
quest
All of us are affected by decisions about energy use, be it
power use, transport choices, the amount of waste we produce
at home and at work, or the cost of those choices. Learn more about thinking globally and acting locally.
Smarter homes
The Department of Building and Housing is running a campaign to encourage New Zealanders to use energy more wisely in their homes, lending to lower power bills, helathier homes and reduced impact on the environment. For more information visit the Smarter Homes website.
Get
into hot water
Solar panels are one way to harness the sun's energy - particularly
to help with the biggest part of the household's energy bill
- water heating.
smarthome
Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council have created a mobile roadshow display unit which demonstrates a range of energy-efficient and environmentally options for saving money in the home. Learn more about the smarthome.
Our
energy strategy
Review Council's energy action plan. Like any
business or individual should be, Council is responsible for
it's energy use.
Waste
Better waste management
Recycling is a good way to reduce the amount of rubbish going
to the landfill.
More efficient and environmentally sensitive ways of disposing
of waste will help to sustain our local resources and our
planet for future generations.
Composting, worm farms and Bokashi home waste fermentation
Three great ways to halve
the rubbish you send to the tip and save yourself money:
Water
Water conservation
Conserve water by collecting rainwater on-site for use on the garden or in the
toilet system is a way to reduce the volume of water you require
from the city supply.
Safe alternatives for common household chemicals are available. Please don't
pour waste household and garden chemicals into stormwater
drains, onto sealed surfaces or into the roof downpipe drains.
Biodiversity
Rural
liaison officer
The Council's Rural Liaison Officer offers rural residents of Nelson free help to
enhance the natural values of the land.
Rural fencing
Land owners with a stream or waterway on their property can apply for funding to fence off stock access to the water body through the Rural Fencing Grants Programme.
Nelson
tree planters
These landscape-loving volunteers
are an integral part of Nelson City Council's
'Parks' Department. A good way to get to know Nelson,
take part in environmental projects that have been developing
for years, meet new people and take part in your local community is to become a seasonal Nelson
tree planter.
Community Plantings
Community
plantings focus on restoring areas of native vegetation
and enhancing waterways with planting. The aim is to enhance
the appearance of the area; provide shade and habitat for
birds and fish; prevent erosion; improve water quality and
encourage seed formation to further growth
Marsden Valley Reserve and Nelson Schools Revegetation Programme
Almost 20 years of care and hard work by local schools has seen a total transformation of the Marsden Valley Reserve in Stoke. Click here to read how Nelson schools saved a local reserve.
Weedbusters publications available for free
Nelson City Council has recently formalised a partnership with Weedbusters to produce its publication “Plant Me Instead!”, a free booklet profiling the environmental weeds of greatest concern, for the Nelson/Marlborough region.
The booklet is available by contacting the Rural Liaison Adviser.
Pest control
Introduced plants and animals can cause serious problems for the natives, so be aware of the environmental issues of pests and pest control
Ecofest
Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council are proud to sponsor Ecofest – a significant best practice example of how to run a vibrant and exciting environmental festival. Ecofest offers a one-stop shop for all Nelson and Tasman residents on everything from solar heating to recycled fashion and is a must-do on the Nelson calendar. For more information, got to Ecofest.
Transport ~ Walking
Walking School Bus
Walking to school is cool, saving the planet one step at a time
on the walking school buses. Council's organised the Walking School Bus programme to get children out and about on their way to and from school.
Walk Nelson
Walk Nelson is available for $8 from the Nelson City Council reception as well as at all Nelson Public Libraries. It features 56 walks for all capabilities and provides historical and educational information about each walk, along with maps and start locations. Find out more about walking in Nelson.
Transport ~ Cycling
Cycle Trains
Cycling to school is cool too! Pedal along to keep our planet healthy on a Cycle Train.
Cycleway
Planning
Cycle counts since February 2001 have
shown resurgence in cycling numbers. Council has a cycling strategy to benefit Nelsonians. Colour cycleway maps: A4
map or A3
map (PDF @ 1MB)
Council Fleet bike
Council has purchased a fleet bicycle for staff to use when going to meetings around town.
Car Pooling
Find out more about carpooling in Nelson.
Public transport
Click here for information and timetables on local public buses.
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