Tahunanui Beach facilities Debate

Economic Benefits - Tourism

Option 2

The residents strongly support the construction of a new facility for the Nelson Surf Lifesaving Club at Tāhunanui Beach, emphasizing its potential to significantly boost local tourism and economic activity. They argue that the new facility would attract more visitors by hosting events, improving beach amenities, and enhancing the overall beach experience, similar to successful models seen in Australian surf clubs. Additionally, the proposed upgrades are seen as essential for supporting and expanding community services and educational programs, which in turn would increase the beach's appeal to both tourists and locals, further stimulating economic growth.

Table of comments:

Point No	Comment
168.6	“Long neglected and tatty”. For a beach that is the envy of almost every community in NZ the current facility and community assett of Tahunanui Beach is, frankly, a disgrace. Not since the Lions Playground in the 60’s has anything of note been done on this, one of the loveliest city seasides in the country. YES! a new Surf Life Saving Club. YES! upgraded changing facilities on several locations along the beach. YES! Two all-weather/all-tide pontoons moored off the beach providing two “targets” for swimmers, paddle-boarders, kayakers, swimming-sunbathers et al to go out to and back. YES! To a mobility-focused boardwalk running the length of Tahunanui Beach (on the edge of the dune reclamimation zone) enabling mobility challenged access to sea and sand (with naming rights to assist fundraising and facility for coffee & donut carts, icecream carts etc.)
186.5	THis should be multipurpose building not just for surf lifesaving, ege waka ama, paddle boarding and wind sports such as wing foiling and wind surfing. Should include public changing room and toilet, as current options further down beach are old and dingy. Should also have bar and cafe facilities to improve publics use and experience of the beach, eg like Australian surf lifesaving clubs do
457.2	Here's why a clubhouse is urgently needed:Public Service: The Nelson Surf Life Saving Club is a vital community service, consistently engaged in search and rescue operations along a 300 km coastline. Our club provides water safety education, youth programs, and surf sports activities. With an average of over 34 rescues per year, multiple assists, first aids and preventative actions that impact the entire region, our lifeguards play a crucial role in saving lives and preventing emergencies.Community Education and Lifeguard Training: Our current training facilities are massively inadequate and scattered across multiple venues, leading to inefficiencies and logistical challenges. A clubhouse would provide a centralised space for training, accommodating larger groups and enable us to provide beach education programs for local schools, promoting water safety in our region.Health and Safety on Patrols: Existing patrol logistics suffer from limited shade, shelter, and scattered gear storage. A clubhouse would streamline patrol operations (saving over 2 hours each day on patrol), improve health and safety conditions, and provide essential facilities such as shade, shelter, toilets, and a kitchen.Community Presence: A Clubhouse would establish a permanent club presence, increasing public awareness, recruitment, and beach safety. It would foster community spirit, enhance members' well-being, and strengthen intergenerational connections within the club.Future Growth: With the club's predicted growth to 400 members and annual training of 35 - 40 new lifeguards, a clubhouse is essential for managing this expansion. It will contribute to the safety of the entire community by increasing the number of trained individuals capable of performing life-saving techniques.Events and Fundraising: A clubhouse would enable us to host events such as our Club’s annual Prize Giving, and multiple inter-regional surf sports events and trainings, attracting visitors to the region and enhancing our club's presence in the community. This would contribute to our financial sustainability and support future initiatives.
532.4	Build a new multi-level facility, including new cafe, on the current Beach Cafe site. Views would go both ways, to the beach as well as recreation fields inland. Think Australian surf-clubs, for example the one in Noosa https://www.noosasurfclub.com.au/
545.2	I support the building of a Surf Life Saving Club at the Beach in Nelson. Reasons why:Club BenefitsShelter for lifeguards Storage of gear in one buildingMeets operating needs for any Surf Life Saving Club - social needs for volunteers Increased training opportunities and education Member protection - female club members require decent facilitiesSense of belonging, attracts more members,stronger bigger club Community Benefits Will help to promote increased patrol hours Shows Nelson is serious about keeping the public safe at the beach and wants to promote the safe beach. It’s an opportunity to create a base to help community resilience in the time of a national and local emergency. It creates a place for the public to go for help, to get first aid and a place for safeguarding children and young people if they feel unsafe at the beach. Surf Life Saving helps with social development of a community. Gives the community a sense of continuity of service and develops that community connection. The right building could support the recreation activity in the area in term of bringing more visitors to the area. It could support the activities that are all ready in the area. Surf Life Saving Buildings are part of the New Zealand coastline and a part of our history. I encourage the Nelson Council to think about what it develops as the group deserves support and are keeping the community safe.
553.1	The Nelson Surf Life Saving Club is a vital community service. They provide educational programs that are vital for a community surrounded by water. It is hugely important for the club to have all its facilities in one central place to ensure that the focus is on community education, safety, predicted member expansion & public presence rather than logistics around different locations. The inter-regional events that a new club house would attract, will bring visitors into the community and again raise the awareness of surf life saving. Surf Life Saving members save lives and they must have the facilities to provide the best possible service to the Nelson community.
555.4	Urgent Need for a Clubhouse at Tāhunanui BeachAttachments, pictures, and links in this message have been blocked because the sender isn't in your Safe Senders list. I trust content from communications@nelsonslsc.org.nz.
629.7	Would like this modified so a new facility sits on top of dunes, incorporate more changing rooms and a new cafe/restaurant with a wooden deck overlooking the bay.
1019.3	Dear Nelson City Council, Having been deeply immersed in the Nelson Surf Life Saving Club for the past 16 years, I've gained a profound understanding of the critical need for a Clubhouse and the invaluable service our Club renders to our Community. Throughout this time, my involvement has spanned various roles within our club, from steering junior surf activities to donning the lifeguard cap, instructing newcomers, and serving on multiple committee positions.From the perspective of a volunteer surf lifeguard on patrol, the current scenario paints a picture of inefficiency and frustration. Our gear sprawled across numerous inadequate facilities and containers adds a hefty two hours to our patrol days. Unlike other clubs where they simply open their clubhouse doors and head out for patrol, we struggle with the logistical nightmare of ferrying equipment to and from scattered locations. The ordeal of wrangling the patrol tower in and out of the council shed by Natureland, amidst public scrutiny and occasional abuse, further compounds our challenges.As a lifeguard instructor, the limitations of our facilities present a significant hurdle in conducting effective training sessions and inhibits us from recruiting larger numbers. With many trainees under 16 and lacking driver's licences, transportation to alternate training venues becomes an added complication. Despite being stationed at one of the country's premier and busiest beaches, our facilities pale in comparison, earning the dubious distinction of possibly having the worst SLS setup nationwide. The potential for community outreach, especially through programs like SLSNZ beach education for local schools, remains unrealised due to our current constraints.A clubhouse isn't just a building; it's a catalyst for strengthening bonds within our club, bridging the gap between junior and senior members, and fostering a sense of unity. It would afford us the opportunity to host events like our long-awaited club prize-giving, no longer relegated to the confines of local rugby clubrooms. And we could also hold bigger carnivals here attracted lots of out of town visitors to our region.Beyond the tangible benefits, involvement in Surf Life Saving transcends mere water safety. It equips individuals, especially our youth, with invaluable skills in risk assessment, first aid, CPR, and instils a profound sense of community responsibility. It's about belonging to our 'surf family' and, most importantly, about saving lives. This all extends beyond the beach, for example, just last year one of the young guards I trained ended up using her knowledge at the Warehouse one day where she saved a mans life doing CPR. The Nelson Surf Life Saving Club deserves better, and a clubhouse is not just a luxury but a necessity to unleash our full potential and better serve our community. Thank you for considering these points, I really appreciate your support for the NSLSC and our community.Ngā mihi, Mary Seelen
1026.1	Dear Nelson City Council,We wholeheartedly support the council's initiative outlined in the Long Term Plan 2024 -2034 Consultation Document, to develop a new facility for the Nelson Surf Life Saving Club. As representatives of the Nelson Surf Life Saving Club, we are submitting this proposal to advocate for your backing in establishing a clubhouse at Tāhunanui Beach - a pivotal initiative crucial for our community's safety and well-being.We have identified, through careful consideration, that the optimal location for a clubhouse would be where we currently already have two storage containers on the beachside of Bisley Walk. This is our preferred location as it is central along the beachfront, the part of the beach we want to encourage swimmers to; and it is also close to services. As a Club, we are fully aware of the financial requirements to make the Clubhouse a reality. Through extensive research and discussions, we have diligently prepared to pursue grants and partnerships, including regional and national funding opportunities through organisations like Surf NZ. We are confident in our ability to raise the necessary funds and fulfil our commitment to the council, as outlined in your “proposed Approach’ within the Long Term Plan 2024 - 2034 Consultation Document .Outlined below are the compelling reasons for the urgent need of a clubhouse:Public Service: The Nelson Surf Life Saving Club plays a vital role in our community, actively engaged in search and rescue operations along a coastline spanning 300 kilometres, and responding to natural disasters, as highlighted in Nelson floods. With an annual average of over 34 rescues, numerous assists, and proactive measures, our lifeguards are instrumental in preserving lives and averting crises.Community Education and Lifeguard Training: Currently, our training facilities are massively inadequate and dispersed across various locations, leading to operational inefficiencies. A clubhouse would serve as a centralised hub for training, accommodating larger groups, and strengthening our efforts in providing comprehensive beach education programs, particularly for local schools, thereby further promoting water safety within our region.Health and Safety on Patrols: In 2023 the Council prepared a business case for the project, with the independent consultant’s report highlighting the inefficiencies of the facilities, stating “that there is a deficit in meeting levels of service for sports facilities at the Tāhunanui Beach. The most urgent relating to the Surf Life Saving Club’s facilities, the safety of their members, and the ability to respond to emergencies.” Our current patrol logistics suffer from inadequate shade, shelter, and dispersed gear storage. A clubhouse would optimise patrol operations, enhancing health and safety standards by providing essential amenities such as shade, shelter, toilets, and kitchen facilities.Community Presence and Facility Accessibility:Establishing a permanent club presence through a clubhouse would not only elevate public awareness but also provide a facility that the community can use. It would facilitate recruitment efforts, fortify beach safety measures, and nurture community cohesion, enriching members' experiences and fostering intergenerational bonds within the club.Future Growth: With projections indicating a surge in membership to 400 individuals and annual training of 30-35 new lifeguards, a clubhouse is indispensable for managing this expansion. It will significantly contribute to community safety by augmenting the pool of trained individuals proficient in life-saving techniques.Events and Fundraising: A clubhouse would enable us to host various events, including annual prize-giving and inter-regional surf sports events. These events would not only attract visitors to our region but also amplify our club's presence in the community, thereby bolstering our financial sustainability and supporting future initiatives.In conclusion, the construction of a clubhouse at Tāhunanui Beach is not merely a practical requirement but also a strategic investment in public safety, community engagement, and the overarching development of the Nelson Surf Life Saving Club.Tāhunanui Beach is one of the best and busiest beaches in New Zealand, with the worst facilities, so we implore the Council to prioritise and endorse this imperative proposal.Thank you for your ongoing support.Sincerely,Noah Hosie,Club President NSLSCOn behalf of the Nelson Surf Life Saving Club Committee
1080.4	A clubhouse for the surf lifesaving club is a desperately needed facility. It astounds me that it hasnt been built already. The current facilities are so bad. One clubhouse where all the gear, patrol, changing rooms, events etc can be run from and to allow the surf lifesaving team to carry out their jobs better and more effectively.it could be like clubs in other regions where it includes a cafe (income source) as well as function area (another income source) and area for training and further education to be carried out. it could incorporate the Marist Rugby club house as well to be a multi sport facility. The beach cafe could also be relocated to this building- as where it is currently is in dire need of an upgrade too.there are many options for a purpose built facility at Tahuna beach. We have one of the best beaches in NZ but the worst facilities. Having children go thru the Nippers program, it’s embarrassing when we host the Nelson champs with the terrible facilities. Having various containers spread around to house the equipment and no where to host the prizegiving.
1295.7	A multifaceted approach similar to clubs on the gold coast with cafe integrated and views of the beach would be amazing, don't underestimate the need to get this done, its vital to assist in the ongoing upgrade of the beach front with the support of the surf club.
1366.7	this area is important for residents and visitors and should be invested in to support tge recreation. Its so popujad with kite surfers and oaddle boarders. Argyably one of NZ’s top kite surfing spots and a can draw more visitors to the region.
1375.4	Tahuna beach is such a wasted asset and building a surf club potentially with a restaurant and bar like they have in Australia on the dunes would be awesome
1380.4	I would like to propose a bike rack to be installed at the abel tasman carpark.I would like to propose a #lovetāhunanui picture frame is installed on the grass at the abel tasman carpark with Fifeshire Rock and Haulashore Island in the background for tourists to take photos of our beautiful area and share on their social media to encourage other tourists to visit here.
1439.7	Okay, we need this, we are making income from our visitors so we need to look after them (and locals) (present is unacceptable).
1476.2	NRDA supports the Tahunanui Beach facilities Option 2, the construction of a new facility for the Nelson Surf Lifesaving Club, strengthening Nelson and the region as a place to visit and live, with significant potential benefits for attracting and supporting existing and new events. We encourage planning of these facilities to consider wider opportunities such as event function venues.