Issue No. 450 - 21 January 2010
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Issue No. 450 - 21 January 2010 |
The Wanganui Port: what's really happening?
The port's history is also the history of local government. It was run by a separately elected harbour board and independent of commercial and council governance. But with the reorganisation of local government in the late-1980s, harbour boards were disestablished and their assets transferred to the new local or regional authorities. No-one wanted Wanganui's port so it was vested with the new Wanganui District Council, who didn't really want it either. So they approached three of the larger port users, suggested that they run the port and the accompanying harbour endowment, and that they would lease the asset to them. Ocean Terminals Limited (OTL) came into being and signed a perpetual lease – a lease so bad, incomplete and contradictory that you wonder at the English skills of the individuals involved. That said, the then council signed it off. And so things serenely sailed. However, OTL couldn't make a go of it either and sold the lease in early 2004 to River City Port Ltd for $1 million. One million dollars. River City Port (RCP) had great plans and excited both the council and the community with a vision for the port. Unfortunately, the vision turned out to have little detail and no money. It quickly became apparent that RCP wanted the harbour endowment income – averaging around $650,000 a year - and then to do as little as possible. It required council to lift the rents of its buildings to charitable and community groups. And it particularly evaded its lessee responsibilities to upkeep the existing port and harbour infrastructure. All the while refusing to co-operate with the council, in letting us know what they were doing at the port. Worse was to follow. Locked in an argument with the council as to the respective obligations of the parties, RCP then decided to use innocent third parties to advance their agenda. And it lodged legal action that the council is obliged to defend. RCP expressly refused to allow a Wanganui company to aggregate its business on harbour land, and so save 140 jobs. They are blocking an additional investment of $10 million. Why they have blocked both jobs and investment, they refuse to explain. As a result, the council resolved that we are not dealing with a reasonable company. We had entered into negotiations to purchase the lease from them but were met with suggestions that RCP might sell – but at some point between $9 million and $13-14 million. This for a lease that they had purchased for a fraction of that price, but five years before. Council has also unanimously resolved that we cannot afford – particularly as a go-ahead community – to have an unco-operative River City Port Ltd as the lessee. But neither are we being unreasonable. We are prepared to offer $1.5 million as compensation for the foregone lease or a market determined price. Whatever is the greater - and that's at least a 50% return on their original investment. Because we want to make Wanganui Port work. We want to work with our local iwi – and private investors – in developing the port, its assets and its land for the benefit of all Wanganui citizens. And not just for the very few. We are prepared to create new investment and fund new ventures. We are prepared to save jobs and create them. We have created a unique partnership with local iwi, to that effect. And it is all contained in the Wanganui District Council (Port and Harbour) Bill, to be introduced into Parliament by local MP Chester Borrows. What we are saying in Wanganui is that harbour endowments should not be paid to rapacious companies so that they can pocket the profits and not meet their legal obligations. And that some assets – like our port and harbour – belong to all. Those sentiments meet and merge in our local bill. And, like the anti gang insignia legislation that is proving so effective, this bill will improve the lot of our citizens and community. At the Council's last meeting - held on 14 December 2009 - the following resolutions relating to the Port were passed: THAT the Council agrees to amendments to the Wanganui District Council (Port and Harbour) No 2 Bill in the following areas: 1. That ownership of the Moles which were erected on the seabed without the necessary occupant/ownership formalities be vested in the Wanganui District Council. THAT the Local Wanganui District Council (Port and Harbour) No 2 Bill as amended, be re-notified AND THAT the Wanganui District Council (Port and Harbour) No 2 Bill be the first item on the Council's Order Paper for its meeting to be held on Tuesday, 26 January 2010. |
Wanganui gearing up for major weekend events
Two major events happening this weekend – the Bushy Park Festival and Women's Anniversary Open Pairs bowls tournament – have received funding from the Council's Impact Fund. The Impact Fund supports projects which will generate significant economic benefits to the Wanganui city and district. Almost $140,000 has been allocated to a range of events for 2009/10. Laird Park Bowling Club has been allocated funding for the Women's Anniversary Open Pairs tournament. This event attracts women bowlers from around the North Island, with a large contingent coming from Taranaki and Wellington. The event is growing in popularity and this year 80 teams will take part in the tournament. The competition takes place at the Durie Hill, Gonville and Laird Park bowling greens during Wellington Anniversary weekend. The annual Bushy Park Festival will be held on Sunday, January 24, from 10.00am to 4.00pm. The event attracts thousands of people, including locals and visitors from throughout the lower North Island. There will be entertainment including the Emerald Brothers, The River Men and the Wanganui Boys' and Girls' Gym Club and a variety of food, drinks and craft stalls. Helicopter rides will be available. There will be a lucky ticket draw for a trip to Australia and spot prize draws throughout the day. The festival is a great day out for the whole family. Tickets are $10 for adults (over 15 years), with free entry for children. |
Supporting cultural initiatives in Wanganui
Creative Communities New Zealand Local Arts Funding Scheme 2010 Te Mahi Taha Toi Me Te Mahi Whakangahau Mo Tenei Wahi Mo Nga Ropu Kei Te Pirangi Moni Awhinatia Mo Te Mahi Taha Toi Me Te Mahi Whakangahau Funding is available for local community based arts activities from the Creative Communities Scheme (CCS). The Scheme aims to increase participation in the arts at a local level, and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities. Applications are now being called for from arts and cultural groups, organisations and individuals, based in the Wanganui District Council area. Application forms are available from: Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui There is a free Creative Communities funding workshop on: To register for the workshop and for further detailed information contact Sharon Duff, Community Development Consultant, phone 021 118 5036, email sharonsduff@gmail.com. This will be the only Creative Communities funding round for 2010. Applications close on Friday, 19 February 2010, at 12 noon. |
Proposed Wanganui District Council Animal Control Bylaw (2009)
(Sec 83, 86, 89, 155 and 158 of the Local Government Act 2002) 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 Submissions close at 5.00pm on Monday, 8 February 2010. |
Municipal Services
Wellington Anniversary Day - Monday, 25 January 2010 The following arrangements will be observed by the Council on Wellington Anniversary Day. However, for urgent matters you can contact us at any time on (06) 349 0001. Municipal Office Building i-SITE Visitor Centre Wanganui District Library Sarjeant Gallery Whanganui Regional Museum Royal Wanganui Opera House Recycling Centre After hours services are listed in the telephone directory under 'Wanganui District Council'. |
Current vacancies
Details about the following vacancies are available on this page: Education Officer LEOTC, Sarjeant Gallery (parental leave cover) Computer Clubhouse Coordinator (two year fixed term) Marketing & Projects Leader, District Library Animal Control Officer (part time, 32 hours per week) Health & Safety Advisor (part time, 20 hours per week) The Wanganui District Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. |
Council meetings
We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings Council – Tuesday, January 26 Youth – Monday, February 8 (4.00pm) Hearings – Thursday, February 11 (Committee Room 2)Unless otherwise noted, the meetings 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. |
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The history of Wanganui's port is a chronicle of decline. From being a bustling entranceway into the central North Island – and servicing New Zealand's fifth largest city – the port now services very little. There are major issues around the state of the infrastructure, two of the three wharves are inoperable, there are ongoing safety concerns and years of inadequate dredging.