A $27.3 million vision for Nelson’s waterfront will go out for public consultation next week, but questions have been raised over the cost and route of its proposed shared pathway.
Earlier this week Nelson City Council unveiled its Draft Waterfront Masterplan, intended to guide development of council-owned land and buildings along Haven Rd over the next 10 to 30 years.
On Thursday, councillors voted to consult on the plan from October 5 to November 2.
It wants to hear what the public think of the proposals and what they want from their waterfront.
Swimming, eating, walking and spending time by the sea are at the heart of the vision, which includes a shared pathway, more carparks, steps into the water and revamped heritage buildings for hospitality and commercial use.
The $27.3m plan includes a 40% allowance for future cost increases, although larger swimming options and potential redevelopment of the Custom House sit outside that figure.
Youth councillor Kayla Trotter questioned staff on how the development would cater for alternative transport.
She also asked whether the pathway would connect safely with cycling routes further along Rocks Rd.
Architect Andrew Irving said existing commuter cycle lanes would remain, while the waterfront pathway was intended as a slower shared space for pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooters and wheelchair users.
Detailed design would consider bike parking and better coastal access for people with different mobility needs.
“I think that extends to thinking more carefully about what that coastal edge experience is like for someone with different abilities,” Irving said.
The plan also proposed another two or three safe crossings of State Highway 6, but improving the cycle lane beyond the masterplan area was outside its scope.
Councillor Lisa Austin questioned whether the public was being given enough information to assess the pathway alternatives.
She said the $7.5m connectivity work covered a relatively short distance and excluded some costs.
Austin also questioned describing the proposed route as “largely fixed” when it depended on securing Port Nelson land, while a more direct route alongside Wakefield Quay had not been priced for comparison.
“This plan deserves to be tested in public, but I want the testing to be real, with the community genuinely weighing the options.”
Waterfront Taskforce chairperson Mel Courtney said the vision was for an “attractive, active, accessible waterfront” reflecting Nelson’s marine character.
“This is about more than physical improvements. It’s about economic activation, heritage coming back to life.”
Deputy mayor Pete Rainey strongly supported consultation but warned against Nelson ending up with another partially completed project.
“The list of failed or partially completed projects in this city is long and frustrating,” he said.
Securing funding through the upcoming Long-Term Plan would be “difficult”.
He urged councillors to consider how the entire waterfront project could be delivered within 10 years. “Let’s not have another project that gets half done.”
