Why this project matters

The Nelson Future Access Project (NFAP) is a vital investigation into a future-proofed transport system for Nelson.

It will look at a resilient transport system that considers the needs of all users – whether they’re behind the wheel of a car or truck, on foot, going by bike, or using public transport.

This is the second project update on NFAP – you can click here to read the first project update

Contributing to the creation of a world-class waterfront is one project objective

An evidence-based case for investment

The NFAP draft strategic case is a document that pulls together all the relevant evidence the project team needs to consider, to help us understand problems and think about possible solutions. It also confirms that all key stakeholders are agreed on the need to address a problem. It demonstrates the case for change, the need for potential investment, and what benefits may be gained from any investment.

It also combines a few key factors. Nelson and Tasman are growing regions, with a population expected to increase by between 9% and 25% over the next 30 years. Alongside this population growth will be economic growth through tourism and exports.

In preparation, Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council have developed a joint approach to urban development over the next 30 years, called the Future Development Strategy. This will seek to encourage a greater level of intensification rather than continuing to develop on the fringes.

The current transport system could be described as an hourglass - it's in a highly constrained geographic environment, with hills on one side and the Tasman Sea on the other, and the growing demand for travel is being squeezed through two arterial roads that must function as “all things to all users”.

To support the existing communities and the growth that lays ahead, the Transport Agency and Nelson City Council are developing a plan for a transport system that supports the community’s aspirations for how Nelson will function in the short, medium and long term.

The project is considering how to improve the transport system for all users

Project Reference Group Update

The Nelson Future Access Project Reference Group (PRG) is made up of representatives from a wide range of organisations and groups including mana whenua and key stakeholders. Stakeholders include youth representatives, business and community groups, primary industry, road and transport providers, active and public transport interest groups, and statutory organisations.

This PRG is providing input into the decision-making process for the investigation phase of the NFAP Detailed Business Case.

Since our last project update we have held two workshops with the PRG, on August 14 and September 25. At the first workshop the group heard about what is known from the previous projects and the most recent investigations. Members of the PRG heard about the problems and issues, considered a current long list of options and suggested some additional ideas and solutions. This further developed the long list of possible options. The second workshop was an opportunity to look at what’s known as a Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA), which considers:

- Community values
- Māori cultural values
- Technical evaluation
- Technical feasibility
- Funding/cost
- Economic analysis
- Investment objectives

The PRG then developed the community values assessment criteria. It'll use the MCA process to score the community values and validate the other assessment criteria against the range of packages. The findings of this work will help us determine which packages align best with the criteria that are important to the community and investors, and understand any trade-offs that may be made between packages.

Hearing from the public

In addition to the work that’s being done with the PRG, we also want to hear from the wider public.

There are two key phases proposed for the public once we have something significant to share:

March/April 2020 – we will seek feedback from the community on the potential project packages that have been developed. There will be a variety of ways to get involved – we’ll hold open days, one-on-one meetings and presentations. People will be able to go online to give us feedback too. Our website will be kept up-to-date throughout this process, please subscribe to receive our newsletter. 

June 2020 – In June, we’ll check in with the public and advise on our recommended project package.

In the meantime, our project website provides up to date material and acts as a one-stop-shop online resource for reports, newsletters, information on community engagement opportunities and frequently asked questions: nzta.govt.nz/projects/nelson-future-access-project

Fortnightly library drop-in sessions are also available by appointment. Project Manager Rhys Palmer will be available every second Monday at the Elma Turner Library from 3pm to 5pm. Please email nelsonfutureaccess@nzta.govt.nz if you’d like to set up a time to talk with Rhys.

More information

For more information on the Nelson Future Access Project, contact us at nelsonfutureaccess@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/nelson-future-access