Wanganui's newly formed Industry Training School NZ (INTRANZ) was launched on Thursday, 24 June 2010, at an event attended by a mix of training providers and guests from local businesses and industry.

INTRANZ was formed in response to local industry concerns over a lack of targeted and industry focused training in Wanganui, and lack of opportunities for youth to move into trades having received appropriate training.

The training school has been made a reality through the cooperation of Wanganui District Council, the Lean Wanganui group, Wanganui YMCA and key local industries.

"The lack of targeted trades and industry training has been an ongoing problem in Wanganui for some years. The establishment of INTRANZ has come about as a result of council listening to industry concerns," said Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon.

"Wanganui District Council is proud to be one of the partners in this venture and we see it as an extension of our current commitment to training in the city, particularly with our ongoing support of the Wanganui Glass School."

The first course, which starts in August, will have 15 students. It offers a broad based training package with graduates being well prepared for the mechanical trades, roles in logistics, store-housing, machinery operation and even as cadets in the management area. Successful students will obtain the National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 2).

The trades training school is located next to the GDM Group premises in Gilberd Street, Castlecliff, in the heart of Wanganui’s industrial area. The INTRANZ governance board includes three industry representatives – Michael Eden of GDM Group, Myles Fothergill of Q-West Boat Builders and Robert Bartley of Aliarc Industries.

Both Myles Fothergill and Michael Eden spoke at the launch event, explaining why they were involved in the ground breaking project and the benefit it will bring to their businesses, as well as for all Wanganui industries.

"It is really encouraging to see industry investing in industry’s future in such a positive way and this school will give Wanganui youth a real chance to help themselves into real jobs," Cr McKinnon said.

"While our initial concern is to meet the training needs of Wanganui businesses, we are confident that this approach will have real benefit for all of New Zealand, hence our desire to look to expand nationally."

Whilst the initial course is based on an existing curriculum the school is looking to be able to tailor training to be meet the specific short or long term requirements of industry in the future.

Mayor Michael Laws has condemned an editorial attack in Monday’s 'Wanganui Chronicle' upon the trustees of Wanganui’s iconic paddle steamer, PS Waimarie, calling it "an unwarranted slur and defamation upon hard working volunteers doing their best".

Last week the council unanimously resolved to provide $70,000 funding to support the tourism riverboat, which is in current financial difficulty.

Immediately following the meeting a Chronicle reporter asked Richard Emmett, Chair of the Waimarie Operating Trust, to meet with them the next day to make a statement. Mr Emmett advised the reporter he would be out of town during the next few days and therefore unavailable. He also told the reporter that "the trustees were satisfied with the council’s perspective".

The trustees remain in discussion with senior council management while the process is undertaken to meet and resolve to accept the council’s funding conditions.

Last Friday, the 'Wanganui Chronicle' contacted the Mayor's Office seeking the intervention of the Mayor in making the trustees talk to the newspaper. Mayor Laws refused to compel the trustees to such action, saying that they had some difficult decisions to make.

In Monday’s 'Wanganui Chronicle', the editorial alleged that "the trustees [of the PS Waimarie] are in breach of their fiduciary duty by clamming up," despite Mr Emmett providing a comment.

Mayor Laws has described the Chronicle's editorial as "ill- informed nonsense. To suggest that it is illegal for volunteers not to talk to the local rag is both wrong and defamatory. This is media bullying, plain and simple."

Mayor Laws said that the trustees' responsibility is to the trust deed "and they are discharging that. They are in active communication with the council - the community’s properly elected representative. The newspaper is elected by no-one".

"The trustees have devoted thousands of hours and thousands of their own dollars to making the 'PS Waimarie' work. They should be allowed to make their decisions without this kind of media stupidity."

Community organisations working within the Wanganui District are advised that applications for Community Contracts for the 2010/2011 financial year (1 July-30 June) are now invited.

The Community Contracts programme gives funding to community organisations who provide service initiatives that:

• Support the long-term Council Community Plan
• Provide depth of value and benefit to the wider Wanganui community
• Increase community capacity in the Wanganui community

There is $150,000 of contestable funding available for the 2010/2011 year.

(Please note: the Community Contracts Fund is separate from the Impact Fund which supports initiatives that attract visitors and deliver a significant economic impact to Wanganui, and deliver sustainable programmes that raise the national profile of Wanganui).

Community organisations interested in Community Contract funding can obtain an application form, explanation notes, guidelines and criteria by clicking here or from:

• Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
• Community House, 53A Ridgway Street, Wanganui
• Wanganui District Library, Queens Park
• Mobile Library

Applications close at 5.00pm on Monday, 26 July 2010.

Thinking of applying?

If you are thinking of applying and not sure if you meet the criteria, contact Keith Smith, Wanganui District Council, phone 349 0001, for further information.

Public notice
(Sec 83, 86, 89, 155 and 158 of the Local Government Act 2002)

Submissions are invited on the Proposed Wanganui District Council Smoke Free Bylaw 2010.

The proposed Smoke Free Bylaw 2010 is written in a way to empower and authorise council to specify certain Parks and Reserves as Smoke Free public places, from time to time, by council resolution.

Once the Smoke Free Bylaw 2010 is adopted, it is Wanganui District Council’s initial intention to designate three of its premier parks as smoke free under the bylaw along with its main public sports grounds.

Copies of the Proposed Bylaw, Summary of Information, Statement of Proposal and submission forms, are available from the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street and at the District Library, Queens Park, during usual opening hours. The documents are also available by telephoning Customer Services on 349 0001 or clicking 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 Friday, 30 July, 2010.

Public notice is hereby given in accordance with Clause 10(3) and Clause 20(2) of the First Schedule of the Resource Management Act 1991 that the Wanganui District Council has approved the following plan changes to the Wanganui District Plan: 

Plan Change 8: Midtown Motor Inn/Grand Prix Trust

Plan Change 8 changes the zoning of 236m2 of land adjacent to 321 Victoria Avenue, Wanganui, being Lot 1 DP 353434, from Residential to Outer Commercial Zone.

Plan Change 17: Rezoning of Raupo-Hinau Reserve, Wanganui

Plan Change 17 rezones the property located on the corner of Hinau Street and Raupo Street (known as Hinau-Raupo Reserve), Wanganui, being Lot 1 DP 421649, from Reserves and Open Space to Residential Zone.

At its Ordinary meeting on Tuesday, 22 June 2010, the Council adopted the above plan changes, which are to become operative on Thursday, 8 July 2010.

If you have any queries on the above plan changes please contact Clive Aim, Wanganui District Council, phone 349 0001 ext. 8102 or email clive.aim@wanganui.govt.nz.

Council meetings

Details of upcoming meetings are:

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, July 6 (Council Chamber, 3.00pm)

• Finance and Corporate Activity Report; Local Authority Elections 9 October 2010; Economic Development Activity Report; Plan Change 19: Noise from Events in Reserves; Pitt Street Survey Results; Customer Services Group Activity Report; Property Activity Report; Infrastructure Projects Update; Temporary Road Closure – Wanganui City Bridge – Billy Webb Challenge Rowing Event; Wanganui Motor Sport Events; Schedule of Documents Sealed; Financial Commitments.

Council – Monday, July 19 (Council Chamber, 3.00pm)

• The Council will consider the reports from Committee meetings in June and July 2010 and 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.