Buy-out of private properties affected by slips Debate

Operational Considerations - Stakeholder Engagement

Option 2

Residents supporting Option 2 express a strong desire for expedited action and enhanced transparency from the council, highlighting the prolonged uncertainty and stress caused by delays in the buy-out process. Many emphasize the need for clear, fair, and transparent communication regarding the buy-out principles to ensure that affected property owners are adequately informed and treated equitably. There is a consensus that accepting the government's buy-out offer is a humane response to the crisis, necessary to provide certainty and relief to the impacted homeowners, and aligns with actions taken by other councils in similar situations.

Table of comments:

Point No	Comment
30.1	This has been a long drawn-out process and I think things should be expediated.  The transparency hasn't been there to the level it should have.  Our position hasn't been made clear where we stand, still, which has caused a lot of stress.I support the option the NCC support to proceed with the buyouts on private property ASAP.
30.2	This has been a long drawn out process and I think things should be expediated.  The transparency hasn't been there to the level it should have.  Our position hasn't been made clear where we stand, still, which has caused a lot of stress.
40.2	Need to make sure it is clear and transparent. There is a risk that a precedent is being set for future events
164.2	Don't know enough to be able to answer this fairly.
659.2	I don't feel I know enough about this. I feel that the house owners should be responsible for having adequate insurance, but perhaps I am missing some details. I'll defer to the councils judgement.
776.2	I fully support this option as the only humane and credible action which the NCC can take to allow these people to move on with their lives and secure a new home.  In the case of some of the homeowners it was not their properties which slipped during the weather event, rather, neighbour's land came down on theirs and rendered their homes unliveable. The council has delayed long enough, the homeowners have been extremely patient, the government has provided a way through this situation so bring it to a close and enact Option 2 please.
780.2	Let’s finally give these people who can never return to their homes some certainty at last for the future. Option 2 is the right thing to do for our fellow ratepayers in desperate times. As noted, it will not set a precedent for the future but is a human response within our community in very difficult circumstances.There can surely be no other sensible option, given the precedent set by councils in the North Island for their similarly affected ratepayers. Not to agree to a buy out at market values would make Nelson council an outlier.Councillors have had long enough time on this. You have already decided to accept the Government proposal. It’s time to get on with it, nearly two years after the event.Option 2 seems the only sensible one. Option three is not consistent with what central Government proposed and as the council itself notes in its LTP document, it is hardly likely the new Government will re-negotiate a package which other councils have already adopted.NCC has to get on with it. The buyout is part of a package it cannot afford to turn down. For a one-off assistance to people whose lives have been turned upside down, we just have to do it. As decent human beings who care about others, it’s a short-term rates price I’m sure we would all be prepared to pay if we were in the same boat.
1029.2	Option 2 is the right thing to do for our fellow ratepayers in desperate times. As noted, it will not set a precedent for the future but is a human response within our community in very difficult circumstances. There can surely be no other sensible option, given the precedent set by councils in the North Island for their similarly affected ratepayers. Not to agree to a buy out at market values would make Nelson council an outlier.Councillors have had long enough time on this. You have already decided to accept the Government proposal. It’s time to get on with it, nearly two years after the event.
1059.1	Refer to 10 page submission for further information - key points re buy out below:
1324.2	The draft eligibility principles need wider consultation.  Hiding them within this already daunting process for many ratepayers is not good enough.  It needs to be clear that this is a one off.  I think too many people are still buying property in areas that will flood believing that someone will buy them out.  It will be unaffordable.  Serious engagement with central government is needed to come up with a national strategy.  Also Council needs to ensure you have the power to stop new development in areas that are already highlighted as future flood zones (due to sea level rising or river flooding).  In the meantime we need to move forward and give these ratepayers certainty and also accept the money from central government.