There is a public feedback session on proposed changes to Railtown on Monday. I did the Railtown survey last month and posted it on Facebook so others could do likewise. People seemed to think the feedback sessions are just doing lip service and the plans are already set.
The fact that there is no personal response to feedback makes me suspect the same. There was already a lot of money spent in consultations and artists’ renderings and are they really going to take into account what the public says or is it just to placate us?
My fear is that Nelson city council seems to have an agenda to gentrify this community rather than make it a wonderful town for everyone to enjoy. Why not make developers donate 10 per cent of their development to affordable housing? They will still want in here … it’s a desirable place to be. But it won’t be desirable if it becomes another Whistler or Canmore, where housing prices skyrocketed and all the artists and interesting folks who care about more than just money were forced out.
On-the-ground support workers who are hired to help people find affordable housing are stressed to the max because there is nowhere for them to send these people. People who are hard workers, older folk, families, and earnest people are having real problems getting their basic needs met. That needs to be addressed. To Nelson city councillors: Make good on your campaign promises, and leave behind a legacy you can be proud of.
June Hamley, Nelson