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Heart of Nelson – Disconnect with Implementation
Media Statement
Anne FitzSimon – Nelson City Council Candidate
Heart of Nelson Strategy – Disconnect with Implementation
Monday, 27 September 2010
“There’s disconnection within Council with regard to the implementation of the Heart of Nelson Strategy” says Nelson City Council Candidate, Anne FitzSimon.
“In principle, I support the high level of the Heart of Nelson Strategy. Let’s make Nelson more accessible for people out of their vehicles, green spaces and clean up the CBD”.
“What I don’t support, is lack of consultation at the ‘coalface’ with regard to changing the environment in an industrial area, predominately occupied by automotive businesses” says Ms FitzSimon.
Through the Heart of Nelson Strategy, two on road carparks are being removed and replaced with tree planting on Vanguard St. The first is at 72 is outside a carpark, next door to the Red Cross Shop and over the road from the VTNZ building. The second is at 78 which is outside an old house, currently For Sale as an industrial section and over the road from St Vincent De Paul Centre.
According to at least 10 local businesses, they were not consulted. Council staff advise they are only required to consult with the land owner of which the carpark is outside.
“This is the straw which broke the camel’s back” says Ms FitzSimon.
Many carparks were removed when the Harvey Norman turning bay was created in Vanguard St.
“Local businesses say there’s more traffic turning into Parare St, then into Harvey Norman, with most trucks travelling North down Vanguard and not requiring the turning bay” points out Ms FitzSimon.
“This is a serious safety issue” says Ms FitzSimon.
Since the opening of Harvey Norman’s turning bay, there has been a significant increase in the amount of vehicles parking on the shared cycle path and also on the opposite footpath.
“I have witnessed people pushing prams out onto the road to travel around a vehicle parked on the footpath” says Ms FitzSimon.
“Clearly a wider vision is required when implementing a high level Strategy. Lack of consultation with surrounding businesses has left a sour taste in their many mouths.”
“This is not good for Nelson, for business or community. We need to see Council move beyond their individual areas of expertise and take a bigger picture look at the issues facing Nelson.”
ENDS
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