New library

Frankly, the claim by Nelson City Council CEO Pat Dougherty to raise the new $40 million library if sea levels threaten it ( Nelson Mail, May 20) not only beggars belief but is a nonsense.

No wonder it will cost $40m if that is how the construction of the building is being designed, and I’m sure that won’t be the final figure.

With due respect, there is no way Mr Dougherty can confidently claim that the building will remain ‘‘high and dry for 100 years’’. No mortal soul can claim that.

By now, the council must be well aware that the project’s cost and siting is strongly opposed by many Nelson citizens, and it’s time to for Mr Dougherty to stop sticking his head in the sand and ignoring that huge discontent, and go back to the drawing board. Failure to do that will have its consequences at the local body elections in October.

Our current library, refurbished to make it a modern community communication and literary resource centre, with all the latest technology on site for wide community use, is what’s required. This is what has been happening overseas, and in the UK over 600 libraries have either been closed or refurbished in this way. The NCC should follow suit – it’s a nobrainer.

Neville Male Nelson Citizens Alliance Nelson, May 21

Nelson City Council chief executive Pat Dougherty replies: ‘‘Building higher is nothing new, nor is it a nonsense. Nelson, like the rest of New Zealand, has been taking into account sea level rise through our Inundation Practice Note, which sets minimum floor levels for new buildings or major alterations, for a number of years. You only have to look at where new homes are now sitting in our low-lying areas such as The Wood to see this in practice.

‘‘It’s pleasing to see that Mr Male shares our vision for the library to become a community space, but it is worth noting that the current site of the Elma Turner Library is actually 650mmlower than the proposed site for the new library. Either site would require an elevated floor level, and good planning for a facility that will serve the community for decades to come means it is also prudent to consider options for raising the floor levels further, should that be required.

‘‘We estimate that over 4000 properties worth a total of over $5 billion will be impacted by sea level rise in the next 100 years. The owners of these properties deserve to have a say about how we respond to climate change, and in June the council will start having conversations with our community about potential adaptation responses.’’