A new surf lifesaving club facility is planned for Tāhunanui Beach.
The construction costs will be jointly funded by Nelson City Council, New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Association, and fundraising by the Nelson Surf Life Saving Club. The building will be owned by Nelson Surf Life Saving Club, via a ground lease with Nelson City Council.
A feasibility assessment was completed in 2024, with concept design ideas produced, as shown in the indicative illustration above. The project will prepare for the resource consent process in 2025, which includes environmental planning and preliminary design work.
Project Background
In April 2024 Nelson City Council invited feedback from the public as part of the feasibility assessment for the new facility.
In May 2024 Nelson City Council approved the proposal to construct a new facility for the Nelson Surf Life Saving Club as set out in the Long Term Plan 2024-2034 Consultation Document. It also approved a contribution capped at the lesser of $1.65m or 50% of the total project costs towards a new surf life saving facility at Tāhunanui Beach.
In August 2024 the Nelson Surf Lifesaving Club secured $1.6m funding contribution from New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Association. More information can be found on the Our Nelson page: Nelson Surf Life Saving Club project gets $1.6 million boost - Our Nelson
In November 2024 the Feasibility Assessment Report was presented at a Council Meeting and shared with the public.
Council also approved the Nelson Surf Life Saving Club to be the owners of a new surf lifesaving facility, and the funding to be provided as a grant contribution.
The construction of the new facility is lead by the Nelson Surf Life Saving Club. They have appointed a project manager to provide oversight of the project. Nelson City Council are one of the funding contributors for this project, and are the landowner who will provide a ground lease once the construction is complete.
The project is preparing for a resource consent application in 2025. This typically includes a detailed project description, assessment of environmental impacts, description of compliance with local planning rules, and infrastructure plans for proposed work.
After a resource consent gets approved several months of detailed design work are expected for the Building Consent process, which is required before any construction can begin.
Nelson City Council commissioned a business case in 2023. The business case considered facilities of all main activities of Tāhunanui Reserve and recommended a staged approach where upgrade of the surf lifesaving facility is prioritized as a starting point to improvements.
Business Case - Tahunanui Sports Facilities Breeze Consulting -11Dec2023
An invitation for feedback for public consultation was offered in April 2024, during the feasibility assessment for the new facility. The information page from that time can be found at Key Issue: Tāhunanui Beach Facilities | Long Term Plan 2024-2034 | Shape Nelson.
Feedback from the public consultation was over 80% positive, indicating significant support for the facility. Opposing comments noted concerns of cost and projected sea level rise.
NCC funding is capped at $1.65m. The Nelson Surf Life Saving Club will be required to maintain project budget or source funds. Funding any shortfall will not fall to the tax payers of Nelson.
Take a look at the feasibility assessment Section 5 – Location Options for the pros and cons and all options considered. The preferred location currently is indicated in the figures below.
