Wanganui District Council is currently undertaking an ongoing communication and consultation process to develop a concept for the whole of the riverfront and "old town area" of the city.

An initial concept plan for the riverfront has been developed to be used as a starting point for the consultation exercises and to encourage people to consider a range of ideas and opportunities.

The consultation process started in February when interested parties met in the Council Chamber to hear about the council's vision for the riverfront area.

Mayor Laws sees the process as "a historic opportunity to remake the centre and the living heart of Wanganui". The first major part of this is the development of the new Visitor Centre, due to open in mid-September this year.

The consultation is asking people to consider all aspects relating to the riverfront area including:

• A focus on spaces, views and access.
• Incorporating principles of CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) and urban design protocols to ensure the riverfront area is a safe and secure place.
• A pedestrian focus – which fits in with walkway(s), connections to Moutoa Gardens/river and Moutoa Gardens/Queens Park.
• Recognising heritage values.
• A mixed use of space which could include a market, family friendly public spaces and residential and commercial buildings (possibly arts and entertainment).
• Creating a new Riverfront Zone – with a specific type of commercial use and possibly no manufacturing. (This is part of the District Plan Review).
• Parking issues and where to locate car parks.
• Traffic management and directions, such as relocating the district arterial route to Ridgway, Guyton or Ingestre Street and the use of traffic calming techniques such as one-way streets and paving texture.

The Shaping Wanganui project (review of the District Plan) is also under way. The District Plan is required to be reviewed every 10 years.

Phase 1 of Shaping Wanganui is currently taking place involving businesses, community groups and all interested parties in the CBD and riverfront areas. The review is being undertaken through meetings with invited groups and public meetings. This phase of the review is expected to be completed mid-May.

Findings from this part of the review will feed into the riverfront concept plan and consultation exercise.

Have your say

We want to hear what local people think about the best way forward to develop the riverfront area.

If you'd like to have your say come along to one of our public meetings at:

Wanganui East School hall - Monday, May 10, at 7.00pm.
Gonville School hall - Thursday, May 13, at 7.00pm.
Castlecliff School hall - Thursday, 13 May at 7.00pm.

Tram will play important role

Mayor Michael Laws says that the shifting of the tram shed from its current site to another riverfront location will not affect the tram's future operation.

Council had advised the Tramways Trust from the first instant that its current siting was temporary. This had been reinforced on a number of occasions.

"The tram shed and the tram operation will definitely be on the riverfront. Its final siting is likely to be nearer the 'PS Waimarie' and linked with the new Antiquities Trust. Then the tram tracks can be laid and a route agreed upon."

Wanganui District Council and the Wanganui Police are appealing for information about the theft of a park bench from the reserve on the corner of Carlton Avenue and Anson Street.

Senior Cr Randhir Dahya said it is the second bench to be stolen from the reserve in the past eight months.

"Someone must have seen some activity taking place there," Senior Cr Dahya said.

"The bench was bolted to a concrete pad so it would have taken some work to unbolt it and more than one person would have been needed to carry it. The benches are distinctive – they can't be bought in the usual retail outlets so are easily identifiable.

"Council provides parks and reserves, and facilities on them, for the benefit of the whole community. It is appalling that these facilities are being targeted by thieves.

"Every time vandalism of this kind happens the cost for replacement falls to ratepayers so everyone pays for this kind of crime.

"I urge anyone with any information about this incident to get in touch with the Police."

Contact Wanganui Police, phone (06) 349 0600.

The Wanganui District Plan has rules about noise levels from parks and reserves.

The Council is considering making changes to these rules to make better provision for special events such as the biennial Masters Games.

You are invited to attend a public meeting to discuss this matter.

When: 7.00pm on Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Where: Pioneer Room, War Memorial Conference and Convention Centre, Watt Street.

If you have any questions prior to the meeting, please contact Louise White, phone (06) 349 0543 ext. 8091.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

The Wanganui District Council has prepared its draft Annual Plan 2010/11 and now it's time for you to have your say.

The draft Annual Plan is now open for public submissions until 14 May 2010.

A draft Annual Plan Summary will be delivered to all households. This document outlines the key information in the draft Annual Plan. It will also tell you how to make a submission.

If you want more detailed information, copies of the draft plan are available:

• From the Customer Services Counter at the Council building, 101 Guyton Street, or by phoning Customer Services on (06) 349 0001.
• From the Wanganui District Library.
• On this page.
• By emailing us

Submissions can be made in the following ways:

Post to: Draft Annual Plan Submissions, Wanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Wanganui 4540
Fax to: (06) 349 0000
Deliver to: Customer Services Counter, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
Email us

Please remember to include your name, contact details and whether you want to speak about your submission at the hearing on May 31.

All submissions will be acknowledged and considered by the Council. Copies of each submission will be made publicly available when the Council considers submissions.

Submissions close 14 May 2010.

Details about the following vacancies are available on this page:

Senior Systems Engineer
Applications close 5 May 2010

Development Engineer
No specific closing date

The Wanganui District Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Youth – Tuesday, May 4 (Council Chamber, 4.00pm) (please note change of date)
- Appointment of New Youth Councillor; Shaping Wanganui – The District Plan Review; Draft Annual Plan 2010/11 Submission; Conference Reports; The Radio Network Advertising Proposal; Youth Committee Retreat; Projects, Working Party and General Updates; Youth Services Activity Report; Have Your Say; What's the Haps?

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, May 12 (Committee Room 2, 4.00pm)

Community Development – Tuesday, May 18 (Council Chamber, 3.00pm)

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.

Meeting postponement - Council Extraordinary meeting
The Extraordinary meeting of the Council scheduled for Monday, 3 May 2010, has been postponed to 3.00pm on Monday, 10 May 2010. The meeting will be held in the Council Chamber and is expected to be held with the public excluded.

Meeting cancellation – Hearings Committee – May 6
As there is no business to transact, the meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 6, has been cancelled.