Nelson MP Rachel Boyack says that investment and commitment are needed to address the “many challenges” for our city. Photo: Supplied/Rachel Boyack.
Investment and commitment are needed to address Nelson’s “many challenges”, says local MP Rachel Boyack.
Rachel outlined her goals for 2025 at Nelson West Rotary’s first meeting of the year on Wednesday night.
“We have challenges that are structural in nature, and persistent. Economic and social challenges that can’t be solved overnight, but that with the right level of investment and commitment, can get better over time.”
She noted the housing crisis in Nelson, and low wages set against high house prices.
“Economically, Nelson faces challenging times.”
She said at the end of last year, Nelson ranked last in ASB’s economic scorecard for the fourth consecutive quarter.
“Our retail, tourism and hospitality sectors continue to feel the effects of Covid and are yet to fully recover. Our primary industries are struggling against soft prices and uncertainty for our construction sector causes me concern.”
Rachel said investment is needed in core infrastructure and economic development projects to ensure Nelson has “the pipes, health services, transport and education services, alongside the social infrastructure we need”.
“This takes investment from both local and central government. I am clear that Nelson must not miss out on its fair share.”
Rachel shared her frustrations around the Government’s new “phased approach” for Nelson Hospital.
“The Nelson Hospital rebuild will be the largest capital project in a generation and is critical to ensure we have the health infrastructure we need for our growing and aging population.”
She said a phased approach was considered by the Labour Cabinet in 2023 and was ruled out, with the decision made to proceed with the single acute services building.
“There were a number of reasons for this, specifically that building one large acute services building was the clinically preferred option.”
She said decisions about Nelson’s new hospital “should be made in the best interests of patients and medical professionals”.
“That is a bottom line for me.”
Rachel also talked about the need for more investment in our transport infrastructure.
“We are a tourism hotspot, and it’s critical that we have the transport investment across the top of the south that makes Nelson and Tasman an attractive place to visit.”
She spoke of her frustrations around the cancellation of the Rocks Rd upgrade.
“The cancelling of the Rocks Rd upgrade has a direct impact on local tourism. A safer cycling route around Rocks Rd would be beneficial for residents, and tourism operators.
“Just as important is the need for Rocks Rd to be resilient and able to cope with severe weather events and the impact of climate change.
“While I welcome the Government’s commitment to building the Hope Bypass, a project that I have long advocated for and that the previous Labour Government had also committed to, I am frustrated that there is no plan to upgrade Rocks Rd. We need both transport projects supported and funded by Government.”
She also touched on the tragic death of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming and thank Nelsonians for the compassion they have shown.