Referendum '08 is your opportunity to have a real influence upon the Council and your community, by choosing which projects you would like to be the Council's priority over the next few years.

A referendum newsletter has been sent out, and voting papers will arrive in letterboxes from November 14. Voting closes on Saturday, 6 December 2008. Over the next four weeks we will be looking at each referendum project in more detail.

Events Centre/Velodrome

Through adding a roof to the existing velodrome at Cooks Gardens, and redeveloping the venue, the Events Centre/Velodrome will cater for as wide a variety of sports and cultural, elite and family oriented activities as possible.

The development will create a three storey building looking over Cooks Gardens as well as into the Events Centre, and will house 1400 square feet of spectator amenities, including cafes, food and entertainment outlets and room for conferences and exhibitions. It will accommodate a minimum of 2000 seated spectators, 8000 in concert layout, and potentially attract visitors from across the country. It will also offer Wanganui residents a top class recreational facility, a venue for international concerts, all year round track cycling, a superior conference facility, international standard tennis, netball and basketball courts and an indoor athletics and speedskating track.

An independent report says that the project will boost the local Wanganui economy by $1.55m (net) per annum and create 38 new jobs. It will also attract younger people and families to Wanganui, because of the increased range of events and facilities on offer. If you enjoy watching sports, playing sports or like attending concerts and cultural events, then the Events Centre/Velodrome is likely to be of benefit to you.

If you would like to see the Events Centre/Velodrome built in Wanganui make sure you have your say and vote in Referendum '08.

What will it cost?

Total capital cost: $22.1m
Capital cost to Council: $16.1m (assumes $6m in donations, community funding and sponsorship)
Operational costs in Year 1 $270,000, reducing to no operational costs to Council in Year 5.
Total additional cost to average ratepayer per year: $92.93 Year 1, $85.39 Year 3, $77.82 Year 5.
The cost-per-ratepayer calculations are based on Council borrowing the funding required and paying back both capital and interest over a 25 year period.

Local businessman Randall Mellows is a member of the Events Centre Working Party and referendum advocate for the project. He has been involved in developing the initial feasibility study for the Events Centre and is a passionate believer in the Events Centre project.

"When I arrived in Wanganui in 1993, the city seemed to attract very few people to move here and settle. As I've watched Wanganui develop economically, more and more people have been attracted by the great lifestyle and other attractions that the city and area offer, which was really noticeable. However, in recent years, Wanganui is again struggling to attract new families and younger people to live and stay here, which is critical for economic growth and a thriving community.

"Wanganui needs new investment, new people and new ideas for growth. As far as I am concerned, if we don't go forward we go backwards. That's why the Events Centre is such a great project. It will give people a new and exciting reason to come here, encouraging growth and stimulating the local economy. I have two daughters, aged 11 and 15, who think this project is great. They are not the only ones. The Events Centre is an exciting project for kids and teenagers, who will have access to great entertainment opportunities and stunning sporting facilities on their doorstep.

"I understand the concerns over the initial building costs of the project, but the Events Centre will bring money into the city and is projected to cost the Council nothing operationally after five years. It's a good business model and a similar project in Invercargill has already exceeded financial projections so far. Let's put Wanganui up among the great provincial centres of New Zealand through investing in this great and forward thinking project."

You're invited to attend a community meeting to hear about Referendum '08.

Polling day for the referendum is 6 December 2008. You will be asked to vote on four possible projects:

• Events Centre/Velodrome
• Kowhai Park development
• Library – a new building or upgrade
• Mosston Road upgrade/Fitzherbert Avenue extension

The community meetings, where you'll hear more about each of the projects, will be held:

More information is available on this page.

Voting papers will be posted on November 14-19. Wanganui District residents who are on the electoral roll will be eligible to vote in the referendum.

Voting documents for Referendum '08 will be delivered to letterboxes from Friday, 14 November 2008. Voting closes at 12 noon Saturday, 6 December 2008.

Persons may enrol or amend their enrolment details by:

• completing an enrolment form available at Post Shops, Public Libraries or Council Offices.
• calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56)
• visiting the Elections Website (www.elections.org.nz)

Special Voting Facilities

Special voting facilities will be available during the period Friday, 14 November to Friday, 5 December 2008  (between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday) and from 9.00am to 12 noon Saturday, 6 December 2008, at the Council Office, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Special votes may be claimed by:

• electors who have lost, spoilt or destroyed their ordinary voting documents which they have received in the post.
• persons who have applied to be enrolled but who have not received their ordinary voting documents in the post.

For further information regarding special voting please contact the Electoral Officer on (06) 349 0001.

Maintenance work on the Sarjeant Gallery, as outlined in the 10-Year Plan, is due to commence in November 2008. Repairs to the parapets will involve erecting scaffolding around the building. Scaffolding will also be used to repair the Oamaru stone on the front wall. Work will include the restoration of roof skylights, upgrading fire alarms and toilets, and upgrading the workshop exterior wall.

The Sarjeant Gallery will remain open during this work, which will be carried out with minimal disruption to the public. The Gallery apologises for any inconvenience during this period.

Wanganui District Council is proposing to introduce a Neighbour Responsibility Bylaw.

The proposed Wanganui District Council Neighbour Responsibility Bylaw 2008 ("the Bylaw") seeks to regulate and manage activity on private property that may interfere with a person's right to the beneficial use and ordinary enjoyment of their land.

The Bylaw specifically seeks to provide protection to the community from nuisances caused by noise including intruder alarm systems, graffiti, litter, public health matters and offensive materials.

Submissions may be made on the proposal.

Copies of the Summary of Information, Statement of Proposal, the Neighbour Responsibility Bylaw 2008 and also submission forms, are available from the Customer Services Counter at the Wanganui District Council Municipal Building, 101 Guyton Street and at the District Library, Queens Park during normal opening hours. The documents are also available on this page, by emailing us or by telephoning Customer Services on (06) 349 0001.

Submissions should be addressed to:
The Chief Executive
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Monday, 1 December 2008.

Wanganui District Council is proposing to introduce a Water Supply Bylaw.

Council has determined that the most appropriate way to address the management of water supplies, owned and operated by the Council, is by way of Bylaw in the proposed form.

Submissions may be made on the proposal.

Copies of the Proposed Water Supply Bylaw Statement of Proposal, the Draft Water Supply Bylaw and also submission forms, are available from the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, and at the District Library, Queens Park, during normal opening hours. The documents are also available by emailing us or by telephoning Customer Services on (06) 349 0001.

Submissions should be addressed to:

The Chief Executive
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
101 Guyton Street
Wanganui

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Friday, 14 November 2008.

Details of the following vacancy are available on this page:

Information Services Manager
Applications close 17 November 2008

Rural residents are invited to attend a meeting with Wanganui Rural Community Board representatives to discuss a range of matters.

Fordell residents
When: 7.00pm Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Where: Fordell Hall

Mowhanau residents
When: 7.00pm Thursday, 20 November 2008
Where: Mowhanau-Rapanui Community Hall

The Board looks forward to meeting the community and hearing its views.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Wanganui District Councils' Joint Forestry Committee – Tuesday, November 11 (Committee Room 2)

Council – Monday, November 17 (2.00pm)
- The purpose of the meeting is to select the new Wanganui District Council Chief Executive. The meeting will be held with the public excluded.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, November 19 (Committee Room 2, 4.00pm)

Community Development Committee – Tuesday, November 25

Change of date – Youth Committee Meeting – The Youth Committee will now meet on Monday, December 1 (4.00pm).

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.