Issue No. 592 - 11 October 2012
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Issue No. 592 - 11 October 2012 |
New electronic waste recycling service opens
The service will enable people to dispose of unwanted electrical items in a safe and responsible way, between 9.00am and 1.00pm every Saturday. There will be a small cost for each e-waste item dropped off and an eftpos service will be available. Examples of e-waste include computers, computer screens, fax machines and old TVs and it is one of the fastest growing categories of hazardous waste in the world. For a few years up until 2010, Wanganui residents were able to dispose of e-waste once a year as part of a nationwide special e-waste day funded by the Ministry for the Environment and large corporate sponsors. The Ministry has replaced this costly once-a-year service with a new, more sustainable user pays collection/recycling service which is being offered around New Zealand. The new service will be available at Peat Street every Saturday until the proposed new Resource Recovery Centre opens, after which e-waste will be accepted on a daily basis. “The introduction of a regular e-waste recycling service is something Council is keen to encourage as part of its Waste Minimisation Strategy,” Cr Rob Vinsen, Chair of the Council’s Waste Minimisation Working Party, said. “It’s a really positive step forward and will mean that people can responsibly dispose of all kinds of e-waste as part of a Ministry for the Environment approved waste minimisation initiative. “Computers and other electronic devices contain many toxic metals, including lead and mercury, as well as other hazardous substances. When old computers are dumped, they can pose a serious threat to people who may come into contact with them, as well as causing damage to the environment. “When e-waste is properly disposed of, it can be broken down and many of the parts can be recycled and reused for new products. I would encourage everyone to use this facility and help protect our environment.” Details of which items will be accepted and the cost of e-waste disposal are available here (PDF, 88KB). Some e-waste facts
Source: www.rcn.co.nz |
Celebrate (iwau) 60 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and New Zealand in Wanganui Nagaizumi-Wanganui Friendship Centre Open Days Two Small Places on Opposite Coasts: A Photographic Recollection of 1960s Japan by Paul Knight. Mono No Aware: From Japan’s historical past, objects from Japan that express the passing of time. Cherry Blossom and Bamboo: Fine porcelain and cloisonné from Japan and China. Samurai sailings – PS Waimarie Movie screening: Spirited Away (PG - Subtitles) Movie screening: Wanko – The Story of Me, My Family and Rock (PG - Subtitles) |
Tram track construction progressing
The central area of track is in place and the area is fenced off for safety reasons. Once this area is reinstated, the tracks will be connected to the Tram Shed and the PS Waimarie berth. “Work is progressing really quickly at the moment," Mayor Annette Main, Chair of the Tram Project Team, said. “KiwiRail staff from Taihape became available earlier than was anticipated and are making great progress. “We are expecting the track to be laid and a test run of the tram to take place before Christmas, which is really exciting. “Council acknowledges that this is causing considerable disruption to regular users of the area and especially to the weekly market, and we appreciate the co-operation of market organisers. “When the tram is finally travelling through this area on a regular basis, it will be a vibrant addition to our existing heritage activities and enhance the riverfront experience for everybody - local people and visitors alike." |
Celebrating our glass artists
The annual Wanganui Festival of Glass, which is in its seventh year, opens this Saturday. The Festival is based at The HUB, 45 Taupo Quay. The HUB features glass art for sale and exhibitions by Wanganui Glass School students and members of the Wanganui Glass Group. It is open daily from 10.00am to 4.00pm. The Wanganui Festival of Glass continues next week through Labour Weekend and finishes on Monday, October 22. Hundreds of visitors from around New Zealand and overseas are expected. Pick up the Festival Event Guide at local cafes and galleries or see the website www.wanganuiglass.co.nz for full details. Wanganui is also hosting Generate 2012, the biennial National Glass Conference, at Labour Weekend, with hundreds of glass art practitioners and a range of international speakers attending. Colour My World by Jo Conroy This year's RE:FRACTION exhibition is the latest in a long running series of outdoor glass art installations at The Sculpture Park @Waitakaruru Arboretum, near Hamilton. RE:FRACTION showcases 33 sculptures by 20 pre-eminent New Zealand glass artists, many of whom have pushed boundaries to create their works. The Award of $500 is sponsored by the New Zealand Society of Artists in Glass (NZSAG), the same organisation that is running the Generate 2012 Glass Conference. Jo also features in the Wanganui Festival of Glass, with a solo exhibition at The HUB showcasing her graduate work. Jo graduated with a diploma in Glass Design and Production from Wanganui Glass School in 2011 and whilst fulfilling her obligations as the Artist in Residence, she is also undertaking study in the Quay School of Fine Arts Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. |
Community Views Survey results
Council’s annual Community Views Survey seeks feedback on satisfaction with Council services and facilities while also assessing general perceptions on quality of life, community engagement and wellbeing. This year’s results were largely consistent with the previous year – meaning that we retained many of the big gains we achieved in 2010 and 2011. However, new and significant increases were also evident in relation to public toilets, water services, the Rural Community Board, swimming pools and the Durie Hill elevator. Overall, in 2012 our community was more satisfied with:
In many cases our community was also considered to be a better place – perceptions of property safety were up, more people believed the problem of unwanted tagging and graffiti was under control, we sustained steady increases in overall satisfaction across all Council facilities and services and more people intended to remain in Wanganui, even if it were possible for them to leave. However, feelings of safety in the Central Business District at night declined by six percent. The Community Views Survey is a key monitoring tool for Council, providing important information for service improvement programmes, contributing to the development of strategies and policies and helping to determine appropriate levels of service. A copy of the full Community Views Survey report is available here (PDF, 4.20MB). |
Visiting artists’ talks at the Sarjeant
Wednesday, October 17 Next Wednesday Australian glass blower Clare Belfrage and New Zealand cast glass artist Galia Amsel, both internationally recognised artists, will discuss their practices and the challenges they face in their work. The talks take place at the Sarjeant Gallery from 7.00pm to 8.30pm. All welcome. Admission is free but a gold coin donation is appreciated. |
Enjoy the last days of the holidays at our libraries and Computer Clubhouse
The school holidays are coming to an end but there are still fun activities to enjoy at our libraries and Awa City Computer Clubhouse.. Books by Moonlight – Gonville Café Library – 7.00pm Thursday, October 11 Read and win Bibliotheque Trek – October 12 2.30pm Friday, October 12 – Registration and start from the Davis Central City Library For more info and to sign up, visit wanganuilibrary.com, Davis Central City Library, Gonville Café Library or Awa City Computer Clubhouse. |
Meetings
We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings. Council – October 23 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)
Wanganui District Councils’ Forestry Joint Committee – November 1 (2.00pm, Committee Room 2) – Note change of date 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. |
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Wanganui District Council is introducing a new user pays electronic waste (e-waste) recycling service at the Peat Street Recycling Centre, starting on Saturday, October 13.
Work on laying the tracks along Moutoa Quay for the No. 12 Tram has progressed faster than expected in the last few weeks and work is scheduled to finish in early December.
Jo Conroy, the 2012 Graduate Artist in Residence at Wanganui Glass School, has been awarded the Emerging Artist Award at the 2012 RE:FRACTION Exhibition.