Public views sought over the permanent closure of Trafalgar St in Nelson CBD

Friday, 21 June 2019

Nelson City Council is after feedback about a permanent pedestrian mall at upper Trafalgar St after receiving hundreds of submissions in support of the proposal.

The permanent closure of Trafalgar St is going out for public input.

In the report promised during the annual plan deliberations, Nelson City Council was told in more detail of the proposal to turn upper Trafalgar St into a permanent pedestrian plaza, including an explanation of the estimated cost of $250,000.

The permanent closure came up after two successful summer-time closures ,which saw hundreds of submissions to the council in support of the summer pedestrian plaza and several requests that the closure be made permanent.

City development team leader Lisa Gibellini explained that the $250,000 figure was an estimate that staff believed they could work with, should the closure go ahead.

The annual Buskers Festival draws thousands to Trafalgar St.

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'We haven't done a design yet, we don't know what the exact costs will be,' she said.

'There's a number of works that would need to take place, including the removal of some of the bollards and the parking meters, some kerb re-alignment, some permanent barrier that provides for service and emergency vehicle entrances, and some parking and road marking and signage.'

The popularity of the summer closures has 'exceeded everyone's expectations' said councillor Matt Lawrey.

Gibellini also suggested that the council might decide to put in some more permanent seating or other furniture, which would be included in the $250,000.

Councillor Kate Fulton wanted to include more specific questions or suggestions put into the proposal, like the inclusion of green spaces or play areas to get a good steer on what people wanted from the area.

'Now seems a good time to ask the community what kind of things they'd like to see in that mall … that could help shape the design,' she said.

However, councillor Gaile Noonan said the proposal didn't need that level of detail before going out for consultation.

'This document is ready. We just need to send this out and wait for the public to tell us what they want,' she said.

Councillor Matt Lawrey said the council would be 'failing in our jobs' if they didn't put the proposal out for public consultation, given the popularity of the summer closures.

'It's one of those projects that's pretty much exceeded everyone's expectations, which is rare,' he said.

Councillor Tim Skinner raised some concerns from businesses in other areas of the city which may suffer should upper Trafalgar St become a permanent pedestrian mall.

'I hear from people on New St and even from right round the corner, not naming any names, say they're taking a hit,' he said.

Gibellini said data showed that overall there was an increase in spending in hospitality, but could not say whether retail spending had been affected either positively or negatively by the summer closures.

The council also heard from Nelson Women's Club president Kate McNabb, who asked for consideration for mobility parks or a mobility drop-off area to help elderly club-members access the women's club building.

Gibellini said this would come later in the design phase, but said staff were having discussions with people concerned about disability access to ensure the street was accessible.