It has been a tough winter for our city with the cold winds of the economic recession.
Council heard from our Food Bank in August that demand for food parcels hit a new record of more than 12,000, up from 10,000 in 2022 and treble the 4000 of a few years ago.
Retail figures published last week showed sales declined nationally by 1%. Nelson was much worse, being down $8 million or 1.7%. Tasman retail spending, too, was down by $6 million or 1.2%.
The root causes of our economic woes are national rather than local. Cost increases from the worst inflation in more than 30 years are squeezing household and business budgets. There have been huge interest rate hikes for thousands of families this winter with an average mortgage costing an extra $350 per week. Rents, too, have soared an average $50 per week on last year.
Council’s influence on business confidence and the economy is small. We still need to do all we can to help our community through these tough times. We held rates to the lowest possible increase, matching the inflation rate of 7.2% despite the tens of millions required to repair last August’s storm damage. This was less than our neighbours Tasman and Marlborough and less than the national average hike of 10%.
We are also helping with initiatives to attract people into our city. Council sponsored the light festival, Te Ramaroa, which attracted more than 50,000 people over five nights from 30 June. We also supported the Matariki Festival and market on 14 July and the Winter Wonderland Ice Skate Tour from 9-13 August.
This Saturday from 3pm-8pm, Council with Uniquely Nelson is sponsoring the Four Lanes Festival. There will be a fun fair with a Ferris wheel and live entertainment in Buxton Square and a silent disco in Old Bank Lane. Morrison Square will host Latin dancing, singing, food and entertainment.
This family fun celebration of culture, hospitality, art and free entertainment was a ripper success in 2019 but got cancelled in 2021 with Covid. Let’s shake off those winter blues and kickstart spring by enjoying the Four Lanes Festival.
