Mayor Michael Laws outlines below some key facts relating to the development of the new Visitor Information Centre at 31 Taupo Quay, due to open in September this year.

"The new Visitor Information Centre, sited on the riverfront, is a direct result of the democratic wishes of the majority of Wanganui residents and ratepayers. The 2009 referendum found overwhelming support for this new venture. In 2009 almost 18,000 Wanganui residents voted on whether the Visitor Information Centre should be relocated to the riverfront. 60% said Yes and 40% said No – a clear majority.

"The revised cost of $1.6 million was clearly signalled in the 2009-2019
Ten-Year Plan upon which Council consulted last year. Despite the final contract of $2 million, I believe that the lesser sum will be the extent of the ratepayers contribution. In other words, the contract cost may be $2 million but the ratepayers' contribution will be in line with earlier estimates.

"There are no structural deficiencies in the historic building at 31 Taupo Quay - the site of the new centre. It is a sound building in good nick and the contract is proceeding to budget and on time.

"The centre is not geared solely for tourists. It is a 'visitor' centre designed to play a formative role as a place where Wanganui residents and visitors can gain information as to events, exhibitions, places of interest and attractions offered by our region. The centre and its staff will play an important role in recruiting new residents and businesses to our region.

"The building's construct is expressly designed to cope with any flooding that might occur. These are relatively rare events but the new centre will be, in essence, flood proof. The riverfront area is, without question, the right place to be - as Wanganui people voted last year.

"Finally, the design chosen was the overwhelming choice of the public submissions that were made on the issue last year. All design choices were published for public consultation and input and councillors agreed with the majority view.

"The new Visitor Centre will make a positive difference in favour of bringing people to our beautiful city, and keeping them here."

Computer Clubhouse opens for business

Wanganui's new Computer Clubhouse opens for business on Monday, May 24.

The Computer Clubhouse gives youth, aged 11 to 18 years, the opportunity to work on creative and technology based projects with the support of mentors. 

Open Monday to Friday, from 3.00pm to 7.00pm, the Clubhouse offers a free, safe place for Wanganui’s young people where they will have access to a huge variety of high-tech state of the art technology including 15 Mac workstations, 2 Mac laptops, a music studio, digital cameras and video, a telescope, lego robotics and a big screen TV.

Health and wellbeing information and services are available to all members through the Youth Services Trust.  The mentors at the Computer Clubhouse are volunteers who are passionate about sharing their interests and skills in technology with young people while continuing their own learning.   
 
Youth attending the Clubhouse MUST have permission from a parent or guardian. Information and permission forms are available from the Clubhouse, located at Youth Services Trust, 7 Park Place, Wanganui, or from the Davis Library and Gonville Café Library. Masina Kenworthy, Computer Clubhouse Coordinator is also visiting schools and youth groups to drop off permission forms.

"The Computer Clubhouse is a fantastic new facility for Wanganui's young people" says Cr Danny Jonas, Chair of the Computer Clubhouse Governance Group.

"The technology provided will enable our youth to learn a huge range of skills through their self-directed projects. These could include music production, video and film creation, 3D modelling and game designing, animation, graphic and web design – pretty much if they can think it, they will be able to achieve it."

At an informal opening on Friday, May 21, a blessing will take place by John Maihi and Jay Rerekura, followed by a morning tea for invited guests who have played key roles in establishing the Computer Clubhouse, which is the fourth in New Zealand.  The Wanganui District Council was awarded funding through the Department of Internal Affairs Community Partnership fund for the establishment of the Clubhouse.

A grand celebration for youth and the wider community is planned for July this year, where some of the early success stories from the Clubhouse will be shared. 

Sneak a peek at Wanganui's next best thing!

Computer Clubhouse open day
Saturday, May 22, 11.00am to 2.00pm
7 Park Place, Wanganui

What better way to celebrate National Youth Week than to take a look at Wanganui’s new youth facility - the Computer Clubhouse.

Check out the venue, the variety of exciting computer and digital gear, including the recording studio. Meet the staff and sign up as a member or mentor.

See you there!

There are still a few days left to see the latest Sarjeant Gallery exhibitions before doors close on Monday for a month of building maintenance work.

The Sarjeant Gallery will be closed from Monday, May 24 until Saturday, June 19 to enable work to take place, which will involve the gallery floor being sanded and re-varnished.

In order for this to take place the front of house area, offices and library will be cleared and artworks removed from the gallery. Once the work is complete then everything will need to be reinstalled in time for the annual Whanganui Arts Review and the winter season of exhibitions and events.

Are you starting a business, employing staff or having trouble understanding business tax and GST?

If you want to learn more about these things, come along to one the free seminars and workshops being held at the Citizens Advice Bureau, 120 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Introduction to Business seminars (10.00am to 12noon)
22 June 2010
17 August 2010
19 October 2010
                       
Employer workshop (9.00am to 12noon)
21 September 2010

GST workshops (9.00am to 12noon)
20 July 2010-05-17 16 November

Bookings are essential so contact Denise Wright, phone 06 953 3179, email denise.wright@ird.govt.nz.

Resource Management Act
Proposed Plan Change 18:Vehicle Crossings

Public notice is hereby given in accordance with Clause 5 of the First Schedule of the Resource Management Act 1991 (The Act) that the Wanganui District Council has prepared Plan Change 18 to the Wanganui District Plan.

The Wanganui District Council notifies the Plan Change as follows:

Proposed Plan Change 18: Vehicle Crossings

Proposed Plan Change 18 seeks to remove the existing vehicle crossing rules that solely relate to traffic safety and to address the visual amenity effects on streetscapes that are caused by multiple vehicle crossings to access sites.  By creating a maximum number of crossings per site, the plan intends to allow access to sites, while providing a safe and attractive environment for pedestrians, motorists and owners and occupiers of sites adjoining the road reserve.

Submission forms and copies of Plan Change are available for public inspection from the Customer Service Desk, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm, and from the District Library, Queens Park, Wanganui.

Submissions relating to any aspect of the Plan Change should be made in writing and on the prescribed form and addressed to:

Wanganui District Council

PO Box 637
101 Guyton Street
Wanganui

Or faxed to 06 349 0000

Submissions close at 5.00pm, on Friday, 18 June 2010.

After the submission period has closed, the Council will prepare a summary of all decisions requested by the submissions. The Council will notify the availability of that summary and where the summary can be inspected. There is then an opportunity to make further submissions about any of the original submissions.  The Council will hold a Hearing to the submissions.  All persons who make a submission or further submission and who requested to be heard will be advised of the date, time and place of the Hearing. The Council will then make decisions on the submissions and further submissions.  Any submitter or further submitter may refer the decision on their submission to the Environment Court. 

If you have any queries or require further information please contact Rachel Pull, Wanganui District Council, phone 349 0001 ext. 8131.

Details about the following vacancy are available on this page:

Development Engineer
No specific closing date

The Wanganui District Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Details of upcoming meetings are:
 
Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, May 25 (Council Chamber, 3.00pm)

Finance and Corporate Activity Report; Quarterly Report for the nine months to 31 March 2010; Local Authority Elections – 9 October 2010; Economic Development and Resource Management Activity Report; Wanganui Draft Economic Development Strategy 2010-2020; Impact Fund Criteria Review; District Plan Change 8: Midtown Motor Inn – Operative Date; Quarterly Statistics Update; Customer Services Group Activity Report; Draft Waste Minimisation Fund; Waste Minimisation Fund Application; Peat Street Recycling Centre – Glass Recycling Opportunity; Review of Wanganui District Council’s Traffic Control Bylaws; Broadband Strategy; Digital Strategy; Property Group Activity Report; State Highway 4: Sale of Last Lifestyle Block at Te Ara To Waka: Joint Councils’ Forestry; Infrastructure Projects Update; Wanganui Hot Rod Club’s Request for Resurfacing of Taupo Quay ; Mitre 10 Mega Access; JAAG – Update on Project Costs and Debt Recovery; Schedule of Documents Sealed; Financial Commitments; Confidential – Actions Arising from Minutes (Confidential); PS Waimarie update.

Council – Monday, May 31 (Council Chamber, 10.00am)

• Hearing of Submissions to draft Annual Plan 2010/11

Council – Tuesday, June 8 (Council Chamber, 1.00pm)

• Deliberation on Submissions to draft Annual Plan 2010/11

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.