Nelson revives waterfront masterplan after a decade, seeks public feedback

# What happened Nelson City Council has put a new waterfront draft masterplan up for consultation, reopening plans to revitalise the coastal strip along Wakefield Quay and Haven Road that were shelved after a 2016 proposal. The area includes vacant buildings and only a few cafés and restaurants between Port Nelson and Tāhunanui Beach.

# The proposals The draft plan focuses on three practical goals: improve connections between the city and the sea, repurpose empty heritage buildings, and create spaces for outdoor recreation close to the waterfront.

Key proposals in the draft masterplan:

• Build a shared pathway that brings walkers and cyclists closer to the water while retaining vehicle access and adding car parking.
• Convert parts of the old council electricity building into a sheltered outdoor swimming and hospitality area. The plan would keep historic elements, remove a later extension, and add a roofed space with steps into the sea.
• Encourage commercial re‑use of Anchor Shipping & Foundry Co and Custom House buildings for accommodation, tourism, or ocean/seafood-related businesses to activate the area.
• Improve pedestrian crossings and footpath widths along the state highway to make it safer and easier to cross between the city and Tāhunanui.

Mayor Nick Smith framed the plan around outdoor recreation, saying it would give walkers and cyclists closer access to the sea and create new places to swim, launch kayaks, and paddleboards near the city centre.

# Local reactions and priorities Tāhunanui Business and Citizens Association chair Jacinda Stevenson said the community has been waiting decades for action and listed community ideas that have circulated over the years, such as an aquarium, a saltwater pool, or a maritime museum to reflect the region's seafaring history. She called for a mix of local, council and transport agency investment.

Resident Belinda Reburn wants a stronger link between Tāhunanui Beach and the city so Nelson can host events like markets and fireworks and give visitors a reason to spend more time downtown.

# Transport and safety issues The state highway that runs along parts of Wakefield Quay is a recurring barrier. NZTA acknowledged concerns about truck movements, vehicle speeds, and pedestrian safety. It noted past measures such as pedestrian refuges and said it will continue to work with the council to investigate improved crossing points and wider footpaths as part of the Wakefield Quay revitalisation work.

# What happens next The council will consider formally adopting the draft masterplan for public consultation. The consultation period opens later this week and runs until early November. The council is inviting ideas and feedback on the proposals before any detailed design or funding decisions are made.

# Immediate implications for residents and businesses Residents can use the consultation window to push for specific safety measures, connections that extend all the way to Tāhunanui, and particular uses for empty heritage buildings. Businesses and investors can signal interest in hospitality, tourism, accommodation, or marine-related uses for the vacant sites.

If adopted and funded, the masterplan would guide staged changes: new pedestrian and cycling routes, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and targeted transport improvements coordinated with NZTA.

# Bottom line Nelson's waterfront has been discussed for decades. This draft plan translates past ideas into concrete options and opens a limited consultation window for residents, businesses, and young people to influence how the city's seafront is reconnected and reused.