2010 will be a huge year for both the Wanganui District Council and the region, says Mayor Michael Laws.

And the primary goal for 2010 will be to relaunch Wanganui on the national stage.

"I've championed the establishment of an annual promotion and marketing budget for our city and this year's annual plan provided $170,000 towards that goal. We need to keep reminding ourselves that we have to compete for people, events and business with other cities, and we have to win that contest.

"We did a lot of preparatory work last year in identifying the national perceptions of us, and in recognising our strengths and weaknesses. We have a great city to 'sell' to the rest of New Zealand, but not if we don't tell them.

"The Ten-Year Plan actually establishes a $170K a year budget for the next 10 years - a total budget of $1.7 million over the next decade. We need a consistent message about our city's assets and quality of life. A one-off campaign will have no lasting effect."

In addition, the new Visitor Information Centre will be built and opened in spring 2010 on the riverfront. The design by Void Architecture is pictured right.

"This will give visitors and locals a central and accessible reference. In turn that will stimulate a redevelopment of the riverfront precinct. It has always been my aim to make the riverfront the beating heart of our city and it is starting to happen."

Another objective will be to keep rates pegged at or around inflation levels. Over the past five years, Wanganui's rate rises have been the lowest in New Zealand.

"Rates were far too high compared to other cities. We've brought them back into line and I'm very pleased with that. We run a lean operation now at council – the waste has been cut out. It is a much more efficient place."

In addition, Mayor Laws considered that the investigation into establishing a council-run rubbish collection and recycling service, the development of an internet broadband initiative, and the passage of the council's port restructuring bill through Parliament, would all occupy council attention this year.

"We will also be looking at our anti-social behaviour initiatives – around graffiti, littering, gangs, vandalism and the like – to ensure that they are working effectively. The litter and graffiti teams have made a real difference in our city."

Summer visitors to the Sarjeant Gallery will be treated to a range of exhibitions including works from the gallery's permanent collection and a selection of glass art.

90 Works, 90 Years
2009 marked the 90th anniversary of the Sarjeant Gallery's opening. Gallery staff are celebrating the rich diversity of the Permanent Collection with small themed groupings of 10 works selected by each of the nine full time staff. The first work acquired for the collection in 1901 and the most recent are included in this eclectic exhibition. The exhibition is on until 14 March 2010.

Pictured is Warren Viscoe's The Taxidermist

Looking Glass: reflecting ideas
This major exhibition includes the work of 21 artists from throughout New Zealand working in the dynamic medium of glass. Each artist is represented by three objects that chart the development of an idea. Co-curated by Grace Cochrane, Sydney, and Greg Donson, Sarjeant Gallery. This exhibition is generously supported by Creative New Zealand and Doyle + Associates. The exhibition is on until 14 March 2010.

Second Life

Five artist have given everyday materials and ready-made objects (objets trouvés) a 'second life' as works of art, creating works of great beauty and imagination from cheap, humble materials. The exhibition is on until 28 February 2010.

Salt Air
Coastal life, by Edith Collier

The selection of works shown in this exhibition depicts the coastal life of communities in Bonmahon, Ireland and St Ives, Cornwall, as well as that of Kawhia in the late 1920s. The exhibition is on until February 2010.

The Sarjeant Gallery is open 10.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Sunday. Entry is free.

With the changeable summer weather and a few more weeks left of the school holidays, the Splash Centre is a great place for the whole family to enjoy.

The Splash Centre has pools to suit all ages and abilities and the hydroslides are great fun for the more adventurous. The slides are open every day between 10.00am and 5.00pm.

During the school holidays the inflatable is in the pool between 1.00pm and 3.00pm every day.

The holiday learn to swim programme is fully booked, highlighting the importance parents place on ensuring their youngsters are safe in the water. The Aquajet swim school runs throughout the year, offering lessons to suit all abilities.

Not only popular with local people, the Splash Centre got the thumbs up from a group of Opunake Primary School children (pictured), when they visited Wanganui in December. The group spent the morning at the Splash Centre before meeting Mayor Michael Laws who thanked them for their fundraising efforts for the Samoa Tsunami Appeal.

The Splash Centre is open for swimming from 6.00am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 8.00am to 6.00pm Saturday and Sunday.

Section 158 of the Local Government Act 2002 requires Wanganui District Council to review its Bylaws. In accordance with this requirement Council proposes to revoke and replace Part 4 – Animal Control - Wanganui District Council Consolidated Bylaw 1997 with a new Bylaw.

Submissions are now invited on the Proposed Wanganui District Council Animal Control Bylaw (2009).

Copies of the Proposed Bylaw, Summary of Information, Statement of Proposal and submission forms are available here.

Submissions should be addressed to:

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

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Monday, 8 February 2010.

Herbicide spraying will take place (depending on weather) at Lake Wiritoa on Monday, January 18, or Tuesday, January 19, on the area designated for public swimming and waterskiing.

The spraying is required to control the water weed Hornwort which is present in the lake. The use of the lake for swimming is prohibited for 24 hours after the application of the herbicide.

Persons within 1km who may draw water from the lake should not bathe in it, use it for human consumption, fish farming or livestock watering for 24 hours after application. Water should not be used for overhead irrigation for 10 days after treatment.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Tuesday, January 26
- Reports direct to Council will be considered.

The meeting will be 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.