Nelson's waterfront redevelopment back on the table

A decade after a plan for revitalising Nelson's waterfront was shelved, the council has come up with a new proposal to make the most of coastline near the city.

The section of Haven Road from Port Nelson towards Tāhunanui Beach along Wakefield Quay is home to several vacant buildings and only a handful of cafes and restaurants.

A 2016 plan for redevelopment was put on hold but on Thursday the council will consider adopting a new draft masterplan for consultation. It aims to improve sea and city centre connectivity and re-purpose buildings that had been sitting empty for years.

Mayor Nick Smith said outdoor recreation was "in the DNA of Nelsonians", so the plan included a proposal for a shared pathway that would mean walkers and cyclists could be closer to the sea, with more car parking and better water access.

"Nelson has one of the most gorgeous waterfronts of anywhere in the world but it's crying out for redevelopment," he said.

The plan was aimed at connecting the city with the waterfront and creating a better environment for people to spend time near the sea, with opportunities to swim and use kayaks and paddleboards near the city centre.

One of the most exciting proposals was to use an old council building to create a new swimming area with steps into the sea, Smith said.

"The intention is to keep the historic parts of the electricity building but to demolish the extension and with a roof over it, create a sheltered place, a place for new hospitality that would sell coffees and ice creams and create effectively a new swimming and recreation area for Nelsonians," he said.

Smith said there would also be opportunities for businesses to make use of the empty Anchor Shipping & Foundry Co and Custom House buildings.

"Council would be most attracted to options that helped activate the area, they might be accommodation, they might be tourism, they might be related to our ocean and seafood industries," he said.

Stevenson said it was difficult to get across the state highway in places and the association wanted to see improved safety measures such as additional crossing points and a footpath wide enough for passing, like people with prams or on mobility scooters.

"I think it's really exciting what the council are proposing down the other end, we just want it connecting further through," she said.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said it recognised concerns about trucks, vehicle speeds and the safety of people walking and cycling along or across the highway.

NZTA had previously installed pedestrian refuges on the state highway and said it would continue to work with the council as it investigated improved pedestrian thoroughfares as part of the Wakefield Quay revitalisation project.

Nelson woman Belinda Reburn said she wanted a better link between Tāhunanui Beach and the city.

"We should have a waterfront we could close off for a fireworks display and markets and things like that, that would be the boldest of decisions, but connecting Tāhunanui and having people come to Nelson and spend another day because there is a waterfront that is enjoyable to walk along, businesses and cafes along Rocks Road, there are some amazing things that could happen," she said.

Nelson City councillor Sarah Kerby said the council wanted to hear from young people about what they wanted for the waterfront.

"We didn't hear from many rangatahi in our Civic Hub submissions and this is a space that should be theirs," she said.

Kerby said there was an opportunity for the waterfront to become part of Nelson's culture.

"I brought my son out recently on his scooter, we walked along the waterfront and it was awful. You're right close to the traffic, there's nowhere to get a can of drink. I'd love to be walking down here with my son, holding a coffee, just watching everyone else on a Saturday morning. How beautiful would that be for our waterfront?"

The council will finalise the masterplan after receiving public feedback, with the first stage of development expected to begin in 2028.