Wanganui district ratepayers are encouraged to pay their rates in full by August 25 to avoid a higher rates bill as a result of the GST rise from October 1.

Wanganui Chronicle photo

Rates notices for 2010/11 are being sent to all Wanganui district ratepayers this week and people who pay their rates in full by August 25 will get a 2.5% discount. In addition, they will not have to pay the extra 2.5% GST which will be applied to instalments 2, 3 and 4. The saving is estimated as around 4% of rates, or $74 on the average residential rate.

Due to the increase in GST from 12.5% to 15% from October 1, rates notices were sent out slightly later than usual, so the payment and discount date has been extended to Wednesday, 25 August 2010. This allows ratepayers the usual amount of time to pay after the rates notices have been issued.

The penalty date for late payment of instalment 1 will be Wednesday, 1 September 2010.

If your income is low to moderate then you may be eligible for a rates rebate. For the year ended 30 June 2010, a total of 2378 rebates were granted with a value of $1,154,230.

To determine if you are eligible you will need to have details of your gross income earnings (before tax) for the tax period ending 31 March 2010. The rate rebate will be calculated on your income earnings and your 2010/11 Wanganui District Council rates and Horizons Regional Council rates.

Please contact the rates department for further information, phone (06) 349 0519.

A Household Waste Survey is being delivered to all urban households in Wanganui, giving residents the opportunity to choose from a range of preferred options for the potential future management of household waste.

Council currently has little involvement in waste collection services other than providing the recycling centre at Peat Street.

The Waste Minimisation Act was introduced in 2008 to encourage a reduction in the amount of waste generated and to lessen the environmental harm caused by dumping of waste. As part of the council's own Waste Minimisation Strategy, developed in 2009, a target was set to reduce the amount of waste put in the Bonnie Glen landfill by 60% by 2015.

It is estimated that approximately 40% of refuse currently disposed of at the kerbside could be recycled, which would have huge benefits for the environment.

The council's Waste Minimisation Working Party, chaired by Cr Rob Vinsen, has developed the survey which presents five options for the public to consider for the future management of waste. The options range from continuing with the current situation to council providing a kerbside refuse and recycling option.

Once a preferred option is selected, further investigations into the costs and processes will be undertaken. This will then be presented to council as part of the annual plan consultation process. It is unlikely that any new service will be adopted before July 2011.

If you want to have your say, make sure you return your survey in the pre-paid envelope provided.

The Rowbox national roadshow is coming to Wanganui on August 13 and 14.

The Rowbox is a retractable 20 foot container which contains four rowing machines that are connected to a display of Lake Karapiro. The technology allows users to virtually 'row' along the lake as it will look at the world championships.

The Rowbox will be based in the Splash Centre car park on Friday, August 13, with school students invited to participate. All students will receive a certificate and will be able to check their age-group time with the best in New Zealand.

Then on Saturday, August 14, the action moves to the River Traders Market for community, club and corporate competitions.

Rowbox is the first of three rowing events taking place in Wanganui over the coming months. In October, both the Canadian and Russian rowing teams will base themselves in Wanganui in the lead-up to the world championships, using the Whanganui River and local facilities as part of their build up.

The annual Prospace Billy Webb Challenge rowing event will be held on November 12-13 rather than December. The event has been brought forward to attract athletes who are in New Zealand after the world championships. It is hoped a number of world champion rowers will compete in the Billy Webb event, creating huge spectator and media interest.

Library Week is being held from August 16-22 and Wanganui libraries are joining in the celebrations.

On Wednesday, August 18 at 10.30am, the largest storytime will be held in libraries across the country, including the Davis Library and Gonville Café Library. Come along and hear the adventures of Mr Muggs the Library Cat by author/illustrator Dave Gunson.

There's also the chance to get a new book bag for free - if you take out six or more items from the library during Library Week.

If you're not already a member of the library, you can join up at the Davis Library or Gonville Café Library. Take along a form of identification showing your name and signature, as well as proof of your current residential address. Children under 18 years of age require the signature of a parent or guardian and the appropriate identification to join up.

Nominations for the local body elections close at 12 noon on Friday, August 20.

If you have any enquiries about the election process contact Noeline Moosman, Electoral Officer, phone (06) 349 0001.

Applications are being accepted for conferencing, events and business development initiatives that deliver significant economic benefits to the Wanganui City and District, taking place before 30 June 2011.

This year's Impact Fund contains $150,000 for allocation to these initiatives.

The purpose of the Impact Fund is to provide financial assistance, by way of grant, seeding finance or loan, to events (sports, recreational, cultural, arts and entertainment), business development initiatives and conference initiatives that benefit the Wanganui District economically. Last year the Impact Fund supported the jetsprints (pictured).

The Impact Fund has traditionally attracted applications specifically for events. This year we are also seeking applications for initiatives and projects focused on new economic opportunities with the following core criteria:

• Economic benefit
• Long term viability
• Organiser/founder capability and credibility
• Overall business feasibility
• Ratio of funding support requested as a percentage of overall budget

Full details of the funding criteria, included with the application form, are available from the Customer Services Desk, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui or on this page.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Friday, 20 August 2010.

A further funding round will be held in October 2010.

For enquiries, please email Keith Smith or Greg Lincoln, or phone Wanganui District Council on (06) 349 0001.

Details about the following vacancies are available on this page:

Sarjeant Galley - Front of House
Applications close 16 August 2010

Gonville Cafe Library - Frontline Services
Applications close 16 August 2010

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, August 17 (3.00pm, Council Chamber)

Council – Monday, August 30 (Council Chamber, 3.00pm)
The Council will consider the reports from Committee meetings held in July/August 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.