As newly elected councilors wait – some impatiently – for the announcement of the final results, Nelson’s six departing councilors lay down the heavy stacks of agendas and pick up lighter loads, for the most part.
Although the council has been criticized for apparent dysfunction, much of the previous council’s accomplishments were to sow seeds that could materialize in the relatively near future – barring sudden and unexpected changes.
The new public transport contract coming into force next year and the near doubling of infrastructure works delivered have been major successes of the last triennium, but with the departure of some advisers after several three-year terms, it were several individual highlights to reflect on.
Yvonne Bowater
Joe Lloyd / Stuff
Bowater stepped down after one term due to changing family circumstances.
Councilwoman Yvonne Bowater cited changing family circumstances in her decision not to run again after her only term at the table, saying if she couldn’t give herself 100% in the role, she wouldn’t be able to. represent.
With the six leaving, she is part of more than 60 years of combined governance experience leaving the table, and highlighted her concern that four of the six were women.
She said she appreciated the council’s connection to community organizations and businesses, and said that with the collaboration of the community, the council could accomplish “so much more”.
She said it had been a privilege to serve the community and she was grateful for the opportunity.
Judene Edgar
Provided
Judene Edgar, center, with community housing providers. Edgar called the housing reserve fund a major milestone for his tenure on Nelson City Council.
Although Edgar has only served one term on Nelson City Council, her previous three terms on Tasman District Council mean she brings with her a wealth of governance experience.
Even though he’s retired from the board, Edgar can’t walk away from governance — almost immediately starting a new position as Senior Governance Advisor at the Institute of Directors’ Center for Governance Leadership.
Edgar cited new public transport as a major step, but also cited progress in reducing waste.
When she was chair of the Combined Landfill Regional Business Unit, Eaves Valley’s emissions were reduced by “the equivalent of 83 million vehicle miles of travel” – something that exceeded the council’s statutory requirements and something Edgar was keen to see continued by not only capturing landfill gas, but also reusing it for energy.
Edgar also cited the housing reserve fund as a major success for the council.
Kate Fulton
MARTIN DE RUYTER/STUFF
Kate Fulton has campaigned for climate change and environmental protection for many years, and can look back on the council’s climate change target with some satisfaction despite her disappointment at the slow pace of action .
One of Fulton’s main successes after his 12 years at the board table is the climate change lens the board now throws into all decisions.
Fulton apologized at her last Environment and Climate Committee meeting for the council’s “lack of action”, but was credited by her fellow councilors for her efforts to push climate action forward.
During his time at the table, the council declared climate change an emergency and developed climate action plans, as well as a focus on active and public transportation.
Matt Lawrey
MARTIN DE RUYTER/STUFF
Lawrey said he doesn’t regret not running for the board again because it makes room at the table for new faces.
Despite his unsuccessful bid for mayor, Lawrey said he doesn’t regret the decision not to run for council re-election to make room at the table for new voices.
He said “almost everything I wanted to help happen when I first raced in 2013 has happened or will happen”.
The successes he listed included closing Trafalgar’s upper street to traffic, adopting the Maori neighborhood and securing a commitment from Waka Kotahi to build a waterside cycle and pedestrian path. , as well as making city center living a realistic option for people.
“People say you can’t do anything on the board, but that’s not my experience. These nine years have been very satisfying.
Brian McGurk
Nelson City Council/SUPPLIED
Brian McGurk, in a red jacket, celebrating the arrival of new public transit to the region, which he helped establish as chair of the NCC’s regional transportation committee.
McGurk is stepping down after a nine-year career, his last term as head of the infrastructure committee having been particularly successful, overseeing the doubling of council investment in infrastructure around the city.
He also cited early successes in adequately funding the council’s environmental responsibilities from 2013, and has long been involved in the council’s biodiversity enhancement efforts.
Other successes he has highlighted and partly led include a joint regional transport plan with Tasman and Marlborough District Councils, and the joint public transport plan with Tasman which will see the much anticipated new public transport system operational next year.
Gaile Noonan
Skara Bohny / Stuff
Gaile Noonan, centre, with Nelson Civic Trust Chairman Roger Nicholson and MP Rachel Boyack, at a tree-planting service in June this year commemorating 70 years of Queen’s service.
Noonan said that being a councilor was “difficult but … also very rewarding”, and that a council needed “silent achievers who accomplish so much by understanding the mechanics of the council”.
Noonan has been such an achiever herself, with a particular highlight of the last term including the new and improved Marina Master Plan, which came together under her leadership of the Strategic Development Sub-Committee, and the Whare Haumanu which she helped to achieve with the collaboration between the Council and the Nelson Rotary Club.
She also highlighted the council’s youth and aging strategies, the City for All Ages plan, the commissioning of three public toilets and “yes, even the Greenmeadows Centre”.
Final results on who will take the outgoing advisers’ places at the table are not expected to be confirmed until Friday due to the unusually high number of votes cast on Saturday.
