At an extraordinary meeting on Monday, October 5, Council decided that the Visitor Centre will be relocated to the building known as the Tearaway building at 31 Taupo Quay.

The concept design for the refurbishment of the Council-owned building was presented by Mark Southcombe of Void Architecture Research Urbanism.

Alternative concepts were presented by Dalgleish Architects and DLA Architects and Council thanked and congratulated all architects for their innovative and interesting designs.

Mayor Michael Laws said that he supported the Void design because it was the "safe, sturdy choice". He also noted that "heritage is the saviour of Wanganui" – a reference to the building's early life as a riverbank warehouse.

Mayor Laws commented further that the new Visitor Centre could be the catalyst for further changes in the area and a starting point for the future development of the riverbank as a tourist destination.

It is anticipated that the refurbished building will include a café and a souvenir shop and it is possible that a Glass Art Museum will also be incorporated.

The interior will reflect the importance of the Whanganui River to our community with a river marine life aquarium and Wanganui bush display as well as being a state-of-the-art Visitor Centre – a destination in its own right.

Architecturally, the remodelled building will transform the existing warehouse building, highlighting Wanganui's architectural heritage and creating an authentic and specifically Wanganui Visitor Centre experience.

The Void designs can be viewed on this page.

Mayor Laws will officially unveil the John Ballance statue at 2.00pm on Monday, October 19.

The statue is located on the corner of Guyton Street and St Hill Street, beside the Council building.

Mayor Laws has invited principals and student representatives from each school in the Wanganui district to attend the unveiling.

John Ballance was the Premier of New Zealand between 1891 to 1893, and was the founder and editor of the Wanganui Herald newspaper.

A stained glass window featuring John Ballance has been installed in the Council chambers.

Councillor Ray Stevens is coordinating the Council backed appeal for victims of the recent tsunami in Samoa. He is working closely with the local Samoan community who are supporting the appeal.

A street collection will be held in the central business district on Friday, October 16, between 10.00am and 3.00pm.

Cr Stevens will also be out and about on Friday evening with his team of helpers collecting donations from the patrons of pubs and clubs.

Other activities have included a lunchtime concert featuring well-known Wanganui vocalists and musicians held at St Paul's Church in Guyton St yesterday.

The Council has also resolved to meet the travel expenses of a team of Samoan-speaking medics from Wanganui who are already on the ground in Samoa.

Wanganui surgeon PJ Faumui and two nurses travelled to Samoa last week.

Samoan speaking professionals are in short supply and Mayor Michael Laws said that "they will be worth their weight in gold. It was the one specific request of the medical superintendent over there".

"PJ will be providing Council with up-to-date information on the situation over there and the needs of the community. Obviously, that inside information will greatly assist us in working out how best to channel our resources," he said.

Emergency Management staff from the District and Regional Councils will be promoting storm preparedness at New World supermarket and The Warehouse every day this week. For more information contact: Wanganui Emergency Management, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui. Phone (06) 349 0515, email: civildefence@wanganui.govt.nz.

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Communications Officer
Applications close 19 October 2009

Senior Wastewater Engineer
Applications close 23 October 2009

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council - Monday, October 19
- The Council will consider the reports from Committee meetings held in September along with reports direct to Council – Christian Social Services Foodbank Campaign; Abbot Street Pedestrian Crossing; Family-friendly Wanganui – For Our Kids; Krupp Gun; International Relationships Report; Subdivision Resource Consent Process Review; Pare. Confidential: Wanganui District Council Holdings Ltd's Report; Wanganui Gas Update; Economic Development Activity Review; Chief Executive's Report.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, October 28 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2)

Youth – Monday, November 2 (4.00pm)

Community Development – Tuesday, November 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.

Cancellation
As there is no business to transact, the meeting of the Hearings Committee scheduled for Thursday, October 22, has been cancelled.