Nelson City Council has voted to approve $3 million in funding toward the construction of a new Archives, Research, and Collections (ARC) facility in Richmond West, Tasman.
The decision, which passed 12 to one, follows a public consultation period in August. Of the 1,305 submissions received, 85.6% supported the proposal. Supporters cited the urgent need to relocate the region’s historic collection from the ageing Isel Park facility, which suffers from leaks, asbestos, and flood risk.
The $9.8 million project, led by the Tasman Bays Heritage Trust, will be jointly funded by Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council, along with additional funding. It replaces the earlier plan to build the facility beside the Nelson Provincial Museum on Church Street.
While some residents expressed concern about the shift away from the central city and the increased proportion of cost to ratepayers, the Richmond site was ultimately deemed more cost-effective and future-proof.
Council’s commitment honours a $3 million allocation first made in its 2018 Long Term Plan and carried through subsequent planning cycles. The Trust had requested approval by the end of September to secure land and lock in a fixed-price construction contract on the Richmond site.
Council staff will help the trust structure debt to minimise costs to ratepayers. Construction is expected to begin once land acquisition and final contracts are completed.
