Get your family together, get on your bikes and join Mayor Michael Laws for the annual Mayoral Family Bike Challenge on Sunday.

The challenge is one of a range of events held in February for Bike Wise Month, aimed at encouraging people to get on their bikes.

The Mayoral Bike Challenge gives Wanganui the chance to compete against other cities in New Zealand for the title of "Cycle Mad City". Wanganui will get a point for everyone who takes part. In 2008 Wanganui was 9th in our group of cities/districts between 11,000 and 58,000 population and in 2009 Wanganui came 4th.

This year's challenge starts and finishes at the Big Pumpkin in Kowhai Park. Mayor Michael will lead the ride on a 4.5km flat route, suitable for all ages – with just a small amount of actual on-road riding.

The route will include Dublin Street Bridge and the new shared pathway along Somme Parade. All road rules must be obeyed and the riders must have helmets and roadworthy bicycles. Children under 10 years must have adult supervision.

Mayor Michael, who is himself an enthusiastic cyclist, is keen to encourage as many people as possible to come along.

"It's a fun event for the whole family to enjoy. It also showcases just a small part of the accessible cycleway network we have across the city."

There are spot prizes to be won, including an Avanti bike worth $700, and a prize for the best Hi Visibility cyclist. Free apples and water are available to all riders after the event.

Participants should meet at the Big Pumpkin in Kowhai Park at 9.30am and the ride will set off at 10.00am.

Wanganui District Council is calling for proposals for site specific sculptural works to be permanently sited along the riverside walkway and Somme Parade shared pathway (pictured), for the inaugural Sculpture Wanganui 2010 event.

Sculpture Wanganui 2010 is offering a first prize of $35,000 for the construction and installation of a permanent sculptural work. 'People's choice' and runner-up prizes may also be offered.

The event runs between September 25 and October 11.

Cr Nicki Higgie, spokesperson for arts, is excited about this new event in the Wanganui arts calendar.

"Sculpture Wanganui 2010 offers artists a new and exciting opportunity to exhibit their work in a fantastic location. It has the potential to become the best Australasian sculpture event and will be a major focus for arts in the city.

"The riverfront area is undergoing a redevelopment with a new Visitor Centre opening later this year. This area will become a bustling hub for both visitors and locals alike. Public art, in the form of sculpture, will enhance the area further and underlines council's commitment and support for the city's thriving arts scene.

"We are hoping that the event will attract a large number of entries from across the country and internationally. Over time we will create a significant body of work that will become a visitor attraction in its own right and have international significance."

Call for proposals

Written submissions should describe the conceptual intent of the proposed work, dimensions, proposed materials, engineering requirements and calculations. Scaled concept drawings and a maquette of the proposed work should also be included. An up-to-date portfolio is also desirable.

Proposals should be sent or delivered to Don Hunter, Sculpture Wanganui 2010, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

For further details about the competition contact Don Hunter, Arts Coordinator, email Don Hunter, phone (06) 349 0001 ext 8415, mob 027 289 6479.

Proposals must be received by midday on Friday, 16 April 2010.

The Council-endorsed 'For our Kids' initiative will be promoted to the Wanganui community on March 7 at the Castlecliff Beach Domain and Springvale Park Children's Day Celebrations.

'For our Kids' is an initiative out of the Community Taskforce on Youth Wellbeing. Representatives will be at the events to meet members of the community and explain how they can get involved to make a positive difference to young people's lives through volunteering.

Adults are encouraged to get involved in activities to benefit Wanganui's young people, such as coaching or supporting sports clubs, helping out with homework and providing role models and mentors. All volunteers will undergo an accredited programme to ensure they have the appropriate skills to enable them to interact positively with young people.

Information on the initiative will be provided and people can register their interest as volunteers.

The Children's Day event at Springvale Park runs from 11am to 2pm and the Castlecliff Beach Domain Park event from 12 noon to 3pm. View poster (PDF, 223KB).

The start of the year means some of our current Youth Councillors are leaving to pursue new and exciting interests including work and study.

We are looking for approximately six new Youth Councillors to take their place.

The Youth Committee is made up of 18 young people aged between 12 and 24 years selected to 'speak up and be heard' on all issues, on behalf of youth in the Wanganui District.

This role is recognised by the Wanganui District Council's official committee structure, which ensures the voice of the Youth Committee is heard and is able to influence Council's decision making.

If you'd like to know more, or know someone who you think is perfect for the role, check out the application form.

Application forms are available online, from the Council's Customer Services Desk at 101 Guyton Street and at the District Library, Queens Park.

Applications close on 26 February 2010.

Details about the following vacancies are available on this page:

Development Engineer
Applications close 5 March 2010 (closing date extended)

Water/Wastewater Engineer (fixed term, parental leave cover)
Applications close 5 March 2010 (closing date extended)

The Wanganui District Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, March 2 (Council Chamber, 3.00pm)
- Papaiti and Flemington Roads – Sale of Land; Finance and Corporate Activity Report; Half Year Report for the Six Months to 31 December 2009; Economic Development Activity Report; Impact Fund – 2009/10; Customer Services Group Activity Report; Local Authority Elections 2010; Policy on Election Signs; Communications Review and Strategy for 2010/11; Quarterly Statistics Update; Heads Road, Beach Road, Prince Street Intersection Improvements; Stormwater Flooding Issues – Heads Road Industrial Area; Sale of Tod Street and Heads Road 'Gas Gate' Sites; Schedule of Documents Sealed; Financial Commitments. Confidential – Action Arising from Previous Minutes (Confidential); Broadband Proposal Update; Property Group Activity Report; Sale of 60 Airport Road Property; Southern Entranceway Project – Purchase of Land; Debtor Write-offs.

Council – Monday, March 15 (Council Chamber, 1.00pm)
- Adopt Draft Annual Plan 2010/11.

Council – Monday, March 15 (Council Chamber, 3.00pm)
- The Council will consider the reports from Committee meetings held in February and March along with reports direct to Council.

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.