On Monday, 25 May 2009, the community of Mangamahu will be celebrating the opening of a new and permanent bridge.

Bridge 47 will be officially opened by Mayor Michael Laws who will be joined by Members of Parliament, District Councillors and local residents.

Bridge 47 replaces the Ngaturi Bridge which collapsed during the July 2006 storm which hit the Wanganui District. Access to the remote Mangamahu community was originally restored in August 2006 with the construction of a temporary Bailey Bridge, officially opened by the then Minister of Civil Defence Hon. Rick Barker. The temporary bridge was funded by the government and built by Transit New Zealand. The Hon. Rick Barker will also be attending Monday's ceremony.

The new 85 metre long bridge will be the first network arch bridge to be constructed in New Zealand. The 'network arch' structure is a form of tied arch bridge where the hangers which support the deck slab are inclined and cross one another at least twice. The structure means the bridge is efficient in terms of materials and will also provide improved performance in a flood.

Mayor Laws will cut the ribbon to officially open the bridge at 3.00pm on Monday.

"Once again Wanganui is leading the way in New Zealand – this time with an innovative infrastructure project creating a permanent and stunning bridge for the local Mangamahu community."

Voting in Referendum '09 closes today (21 May 2009) at 5.00pm. Voting papers can be dropped into the Municipal Office Building at 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, until 5.00pm today.

Make sure you don't miss your chance to have your say on the issues that affect your community. It's your money, your city, your place – make sure you have your say!

Results of Referendum '09 will be available from late Friday afternoon, May 22, on the referendum website.

Work has begun on the construction of a three metre wide riverside pathway from the Dublin Street Bridge to opposite Bates Street

The new pathway will sit between Somme Parade and the riverbank and will encroach onto Somme Parade in some areas so roadworks and revamped pavement markings will be necessary.

The new path will be constructed of concrete and asphalt. In some areas where Council is planning further development, it will consist of unsealed shellrock.

During construction, traffic will be controlled and disruption kept to a minimum. Pedestrians using the existing path and grassed riverside areas will be diverted to the city side of Somme Parade where necessary.

Work will continue through to August 2009.

A seminar on the conservation and restoration of heritage buildings organised by the Whanganui Branch, New Zealand Historic Places Trust, is taking place on Saturday, 23 May 2009 from 10.00am to 4.00pm at St Peter's Church Hall, Koromiko Road, Gonville, Wanganui.

This seminar will be of value to anyone with an interest in heritage buildings, but especially community and non-profit groups. The programme includes insights and comment from experts including noted conservation architect Chris Cochran, Sue Dunlop from Lotteries and Wendy Pettigrew, local historian and Secretary of the Whanganui Branch, New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

The seminar costs $25. Register by contacting Wendy Pettigrew, phone: (06) 347 2575, email wendykp@xtra.co.nz.

Time is running out to apply for a rates rebate for the 2008/09 year. Applications close at the end of June.

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 NZ Geographic Board's formal consultation period for the proposed change of spelling from Wanganui to Whanganui is from 14 May 2009 to 17 August 2009.

Members of the public have three months to make submissions supporting or objecting to the proposed name change. If a person objects to the proposal, they can suggest an alternative proposal or support the existing name.

Written submissions can be made by email, fax or post and sent to:
Secretary for the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa
c/- Land Information New Zealand
160 Lambton Quay
Private Box 5501
Wellington 6145
New Zealand
Fax: (04) 460 0112
Email: nzgbsubmissions@linz.govt.nz

Further information about the submissions process can be found on the NZ Geographic Board website at www.linz.govt.nz.

Details of the following vacancy are available on this page:

Accountant
Applications close 29 May 2009

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council Extraordinary – Friday, May 22
- Draft Wanganui District Council (Prohibition of Gang Insignia) Bylaw 2009; New Zealand Geographic Board consultation response. Confidential – Wanganui Port Issues.

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, May 26
- Finance and Corporate Action Plan; Statements of Intent – Part 1; Quarterly Report to 31 March 2009; Property Group Activity Report; Surplus Reserve – 357 Somme Parade – Tree Issue; Parking Restrictions – Lowther Street; Dog Control Fees – 2009/10; Infrastructure Projects Update; Wastewater Treatment Plant Update; 2008 Roading Submissions Update; Schedule of Sealed Documents; Financial Commitments. Confidential – Statements of Intent – Part 2; Forestry – Pre-Sale Documentation.

Council – Tuesday, June 2 (9.00am to 5.00pm)
- Hearing of 10-Year Plan Submissions.

Council – Tuesday, June 4 (9.00am to 5.00pm)
- Hearing of 10-Year Plan Submissions.

Council – Monday, June 8
- The Council will consider the reports from Committee meetings held in May along with Reports Direct to Council.

Council – Tuesday, June 9 (10.00am to 5.00pm)
- Deliberation on 10-Year Plan Submissions.

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.