Rates affordability Debate

Economic Benefits - Tourism

Option 1

The comment highlights the importance of proactive investment in projects like the "Right Tree Right Place" initiative and enhancing access to recreational areas, which are expected to significantly boost the local economy and improve the quality of life. It argues that such investments will attract high-quality residents and tourists, thereby increasing economic activity and social benefits through enhanced recreational facilities. The commenter believes that these investments are essential for long-term economic growth and could help mitigate the impact of rate increases by fostering greater prosperity in the region.

Table of comments:

Point No

Comment

733.1

There are a number of very important projects that require Nelson city to make bold moves with expenditure in order to significantly improve the local economy and living quality of the city.  In particular I am talking about the "Right Tree Right Place" Project, which provides an opportunity to reduce the negative impacts of clear felling close to the city while also bolstering the long term recreational resources in the NCC owned forests, which in turn dovetails nicely with investing in a significant long term contact with Ngati Koata for recreational access to the treasure trove of mountain biking and walking trails in the region.  The ongoing economic and social benefits from further bolstering this incredible recreational asset which attracts high quality residents and visitors from around the World will further bolster the local economy as highlighted in the recent BERL report update.    Although not a significant option presented in the LTP, the combination of these two initiatives also necessitates a significant increase in the investment in mountain biking, walking and cycling infrastructure and trails across the region to further multiply the economic and social benefits of the existing world-class facilities.  Focusing too heavily on reducing expenditure could seriously negatively impact the local economy which already is reported as one of the worst in the country in regular regional economic comparisons, not investing in tourism and hospitality supporting initiatives would be short sighted, especially with the current very low economic value of export pine at the moment.   Ultimately investing in the future economic growth of the region through intiatives such as the Right Tree Right Place project and negotiating long term access to the Ngati Koata owned mountain bike and recreational areas will help grow the local economy and eventually provide greater prosperity which can potentially offset rates increases.