An appeal has been launched for the victims of the bushfires in Victoria, Australia, which have so far claimed almost 200 lives.

The appeal has been started off with donations from Mayor Michael Laws, Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon and Crs Ray Stevens, Philippa Baker-Hogan and Allan Anderson.

Cr Stevens, who will co-ordinate the appeal, said "This tragedy in Victoria, Australia, touches us all. The graphic pictures in the media do not tell the whole story. The horror for a nation and a people can and never will be forgotten. It is at times of loss that help is required and that time for those involved is NOW."

Street collections are planned to take place at Majestic Square on Friday, February 20. The Wanganui branch of ANZ has offered to be the official bank for the appeal and will have collection boxes in their branch. ANZ Branch Manager Shelley Walls and staff from ANZ are providing a BBQ at Majestic Square and all proceeds raised will go to the appeal. It is also hoped that schools will be able to help with the appeal, as they have done for previous Wanganui appeals.

Cr Stevens was pleased that Council's Chief Executive Kevin Ross is encouraging staff to get behind the appeal and offering staff to help with the street appeal next Friday."

Mayor Michael Laws said that "Wanganui will never forget the generosity shown us - by complete strangers - when our district was devastated by floods in 2004. Since that time we have sought to repay some of that goodwill - and co-ordinated campaigns for the Boxing Day tsunami tragedy and the Northland floods.

"But this latest disaster touches our hearts and tears at our emotions. The very least Wanganui can do is donate funds to assist the survivors - many of whom have lost everything. Their homes, their livelihoods and family members. It is the right thing to do, and I thank Cr Ray for agreeing to head the Bushfires Appeal."

The community's efforts in using less water have paid off following the failure of No. 3 Bore at Kai Iwi.

The Council set a target of 25M litres of water used per day – and statistics show that water consumption has consistently been at, or lower than, that target since water restrictions were introduced. This allowed a good level to be retained in the city's reservoirs.

Mayor Michael Laws has praised the community for its co-operation in ensuring Wanganui has an adequate water supply.

"This is a fantastic response by Wanganui people. The message has been received and the community has reacted brilliantly," Mayor Laws said. "My thanks for this effort – it is certainly having the desired effect."

No. 3 Bore is now operating consistently again but at a reduced flow. Water from the new Abelard bore is now feeding into the city water supply, providing 3M litres of water per day. This amount is approximately half the supply it will provide when it is converted to a full production bore later in the year.

As a result of the combined efforts of the community and Council staff, the full sprinkler ban has now been lifted. Sprinklers may be used between 7pm and 9pm, with hand-held hosing at any time.

The annual road resealing programme begins this week. Urban streets included in the programme are:

Before the work begins, the sealing contractors will deliver a leaflet to all residents along the affected streets. The leaflet will include valuable information on the process and how to treat the surface in the first few days while the material is reasonably fresh.

Visitors to the Sarjeant Gallery over the next two months can enjoy a range of exhibitions:

The Umbrella Project – created by 60 Wanganui secondary school students working with well-known artist Michel Tuffery. The umbrellas are suspended in the Gallery's central Dome area. The exhibition runs to March 1.

Ben Cauchi: Lull – featuring work made between 2006 when Cauchi was artist-in-residence at Tylee Cottage up until this year. The exhibition runs to March 8.

Vista - a selection of landscapes and scenes from the Edith Marion Collier Collection and Permanent Collection. The exhibition runs to March 15.

Mark Braunias: London Town - an installation of paintings and drawings, including images painted directly onto the Gallery walls and a catchy animation. The exhibition runs to March 22. Braunias's Lost in Space XII is pictured.

The Gallery is open Monday to Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm. Admission is free.

A reminder to all ratepayers that the due date for payment of Instalment 3 is Wednesday, 18 February 2009. Please ensure payments reach our office by close of business on this day.

Council offers direct debit as a method of payment. Frequency of payments can be weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or yearly. Please contact the rates department for further information, phone (06) 349 0519.

The income threshold for rates rebate is $21,180 and the maximum allowable rebate is $530.

Eligibility for a rates rebate is determined by:

• the ratepayer's income for the previous tax year (year ended 31 March 2008)
• the amount of rates (both Wanganui District Council & Horizons Regional Council)
• the number of dependents

To assist you with your application, please bring in the following:

• evidence of all gross income for the tax year ended 31 March 2008 (this includes income from interest)
• your Wanganui District Council rates assessment for 2008/09
• your Horizons Regional Council rates assessment for 2008/09

Ratepayers need to apply to the Wanganui District Council for a rates rebate. Those who are eligible will then either have their rates reduced by the amount of the rebate, or receive a refund if the rates have been paid in full for the year. The Department of Internal Affairs reimburses the Council from Crown funds.

The Council is undertaking a policy review of the management of the Wanganui War Memorial Hall and we are seeking public feedback. We encourage you to have your say.

The vision for the War Memorial Hall is to provide a high quality facility that caters for a range of community and commercial activities, while preserving our historic heritage.

The goals of the Wanganui War Memorial Draft Policy are:

• To promote the War Memorial Hall, and Concert Chamber within the hall, as a versatile community and conference venue.
• To ensure the accessibility of the War Memorial Hall complex for public use.
• To recognise and preserve the building's historic classification.
• To retain the building as a memorial to those who gave their lives for their country in World War II.
• To encourage optimal use of the hall to cater for a range of community and commercial events.

The draft policy covers:

• Facility management
• Parking
• Use and trading hours
• Charging
• General bookings

A key component of the draft policy is that the hall shall not be available for rental by transient, itinerant traders. The intention of this is to ensure our local businesses and economy are supported.

Copies of the draft Wanganui War Memorial Policy and feedback forms are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, at the Customer Service Desk at the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, phone (06) 349 0001, the District Library, Queens Park, Wanganui.

The consultation period closes on 13 March 2009 at 5.00pm.

Your feedback is welcomed and should be addressed to:
Wanganui District Council War Memorial Hall Draft Policy
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui 4540

Other methods of delivering your feedback:

• Deliver to the Customer Services desk at 101 Guyton Street
• Fax to the Council on (06) 349 0000
• Email us

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Economic Development Officer - Visitors and Events
Applications close 18 February 2009

Customer Services Advocate
Applications close 16 February 2009

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Extraordinary Meeting – Monday, February 16
- The purpose of the meeting is to adopt the Draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019 prior to its review by Audit. It is expected that this item will be taken with the public excluded. The Draft 10-Year Plan document is to remain confidential until released for community consultation on 17 March 2009.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, February 18 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2)

Community Development – Tuesday, February 24

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, March 3

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.