Nelson Airport is a strategic asset owned jointly by Tasman District and Nelson City councils.
Tasman District councillors have aligned with the wishes of Nelson Airport representatives and agreed their preferred option is the establishment of a holding company as a funding vehicle only for the airport and Port Nelson.
As the airport and port are owned jointly by Tasman District and Nelson City councils, Nelson City councillors must make that same choice in order for Tasman District Council’s preferred option to proceed. City councillors are tipped to consider the matter on Thursday.
During their discussion on the options for the two strategic assets as they deliberated on the Tasman District Council Long Term Plan 2021-31, councillors first voted on a motion to retain the status quo, which was lost. The vote on a holding company as a funding vehicle only – option C – then passed. If Nelson City councillors also choose that option, the new company for the port and airport will be able to access cheaper Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA) loan funding directly, and hold its own debt.