In Referendum '09 residents are being asked to vote on a number of key proposals included in the Draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019. One of the questions is:

Should the council sell Energy Direct, the retail trading arm of Wanganui Gas?

Energy Direct is the retail arm of Wanganui Gas and sells gas and electricity services to residents and businesses. There is no proposal to sell Wanganui Gas or GasNet, a profitable company in recent years. Energy Direct has lost considerable monies over the past two years and this has reduced Wanganui Gas' annual dividend to nil.

Proceeds from any sale would be used to reduce Wanganui Gas' debt and would also lead to estimated dividends of $1.5M per year from Wanganui Gas and GasNet.

Advantages of selling Energy Direct

• Energy Direct is a small player in the energy market and there are commercial risks associated with continued ownership. Such risks are always present in owning this type of business.
• The profitability of Wanganui Gas may be enhanced, potentially delivering a greater dividend to the Wanganui ratepayer.
• Avoid the potential for rates money to be spent on subsidising Wanganui Gas losses.

Disadvantages of selling Energy Direct

• Energy Direct currently employs people in Wanganui. A sale may result in job losses.
• Energy Direct delivers gas and electricity services to a large number of businesses and residents in Wanganui. The sale of the company may lead to less choice for gas and electricity supply in Wanganui.
• There is potential for Energy Direct to return to profitability.

Residents are also being asked in Referendum '09:

Should council transfer ownership of part or all of its pensioner housing complexes?

The council currently provides social housing for elderly people with modest financial means.

Council is considering whether it should continue to provide social housing at this level over the next 10 years, or look at opportunities to transfer ownership of part or all of the complexes to charitable organisations. No decisions have been made about which, if any, units could be transferred.

Advantages of transferring ownership of pensioner housing

• Council is not a specialist provider for this type of housing. There are other charitable organisations that specifically work in this area and are able to provide affordable housing combined with an increased range of services.
• The council may lose money if it is required to refurbish pensioner housing complexes.
• The council would gain a substantial income from the sale of pensioner complexes which could be used for repayment of debt.

Disadvantages of transferring ownership of pensioner housing

• There is no guarantee that affordable housing for the elderly will be provided in the future within Wanganui.
• Council would not accept a social responsibility for housing the elderly.

Voting papers are being delivered this week. If you want to have your say on the issues in Referendum '09, make sure you return your voting papers to the council no later than 5.00pm on Thursday, 21 May 2009.

The Wanganui District Council has prepared its Draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019 – and now you have the chance to have your say.

The Draft 10-Year Plan is open for public submissions from 14 April 2009 until 21 May 2009.

A Draft 10-Year Plan Summary will be posted to everyone registered on the Wanganui electoral roll. This document outlines the key information in the Draft 10-Year Plan.

Referendum '09 is being held in conjunction with the Draft 10-Year Plan consultation. Voting papers, and a reply-paid envelope, will be included in the pack posted to registered voters in late April.

Issues for Referendum '09 include:

• Spelling of Wanganui
• Relocation of the Visitor Information Centre
• A small levy to promote Wanganui nationally
• Potential sale of Energy Direct, the retail trading arm of Wanganui Gas
• Potential transfer of ownership of part or all of Council's pensioner housing complexes
• Preferred rates increase for 2009/10

If you want more detailed information about the Draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019, copies of the plan are available:

• From the Customer Services Desk at the Council building, 101 Guyton Street, or by phoning Customer Services on (06) 349 0001.
• From the Wanganui District Library.
• On this page
• By emailing us

Submissions can be made in the following ways:

Post to: Draft 10-Year Plan Submissions, Wanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Wanganui
Fax to: (06) 349 0000
Deliver to: Customer Services Desk, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
Email us
Online

Please remember to include your name, contact details and whether you want to speak about your submission at the hearings on June 2 and 4.

All submissions will be acknowledged and considered by the Council. Copies of each submission will be made publicly available when the Council considers submissions.

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Thursday, 21 May 2009.

Two new stained glass windows have recently been installed in the Council Chamber bringing the total of completed panels to 10.

The first of the new windows shows the Watt Fountain and bridge block of Victoria Avenue. The panel reflects the revitalisation of Victoria Avenue through the Mainstreet development, and the preservation of Wanganui's built heritage. This window has been sponsored by Glen Wadsworth of Wells and Wadsworth Construction.

The second new window shows an image of Kupe standing at the Whanganui River mouth, sighting fires inland. This panel reflects the length of human settlement and pre-Kupe origins of some of the people of the Whanganui River. The Directors of Wanganui District Council Holdings Ltd have sponsored this window.

The windows are part of a series of 32 stained glass panels which will each represent an episode or aspect of the history of Wanganui. Designed by artist Julie Greig and crafted by glass artist Greg Hall, they will stand as enduring works of art and will replace the plain glass windows between the rimu panelling and the domed roof of the Council Chamber.

Local families, individuals, businesses and organisations are invited to sponsor windows. For further information contact Malcolm Hunt at Wanganui District Council, phone (06) 349 0001 ext. 8032.

The Council has resolved to carry out consultation on the Draft Heads Road Cemetery Management Plan and the Plaques and Memorials discussion paper.

The Council invites the public to provide feedback on the two documents.

The objective of the Draft Heads Road Cemetery Management Plan is:

• To guide the appropriate management of the Heads Road Cemetery, allowing for a variety of functions.

The objective of the Plaques and Memorials Policy discussion paper is:

• To develop appropriate policy to guide the placement of plaques and memorials in public places within the District.

Consultation
Copies of the documents are available for public inspection, during normal working hours (Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm) at the Customer Service Desk, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, the District Library, Queens Park, Wanganui, and on this page.

The consultation period is 30 April 2009 to 30 June 2009.

Submissions are welcomed and should be addressed to:

Clive Aim
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui 4540

Other methods of delivering your submission:

• Deliver to the Customer Service Desk, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street
• Fax to (06) 349 0000
• E-mail us

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Clive Aim at Wanganui District Council, phone (06) 349 0001 ext. 8102 or email Clive Aim.

Details of the following vacancy are available on this page:

PA to Finance & Corporate Services Manager/Deputy Chief Executive
Applications close 17 May 2009

Fundraising for Hospice and Wanganui Festival of Glass. Read more (PDF, 54KB).

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Youth – Monday, May 4 (4.00pm)
- Chatham Island Junior Rugby Visit; Regional Youth Council Seminar; Projects and Working Party Updates; Youth Services Activity Report; Wotz Da Haps.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, May 13 (Committee Room 2, 4.00pm)

Community Development – Tuesday, May 19

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.