We provide pensioner housing
To ensure availability of quality housing for the elderly who have limited financial resources.

How this service is provided
The Council owns and rents out 275 pensioner units in 16 separate complexes in different parts of the city, as well as 34 relocatable granny flats. The Council provides limited welfare assistance to the tenants.

Services provided

1. 233 single (including three for disabled tenants) and 42 double pensioner units.
   - 14 units have carports; approximately half have off-street parking.
   - Gardens and lawns are maintained, outdoor lighting is provided and garden rubbish is removed. Most units have implement sheds.
   - A community centre is provided at the Eugene Crotty complex.
2. A welfare officer visits each tenant at least four times a year, or more if required, to assess any welfare needs. At times residents' meetings are arranged to discuss issues, such as safety.
3. 26 single and eight double granny flats that can be erected on a family member's property and removed when no longer required. (Spare flats can be used for other purposes).

The occupancy rate is around 88%.
The units and flats are available to those who can demonstrate limited financial resources, are over 60 years (or 55 years for a granny flat) and can live independently.

Monitoring the service
Three-yearly occupant survey.
Other surveys as required.

Cost
There is no ratepayer charge for pensioner housing. The rentals for the units and granny flats are:
Single $60 per week
Double $72 per week

Note: The rentals are set to cover costs and are approximately 25% of the Government benefit for the elderly.

Further information is available from Rosemary Hovey or Martha Hourigan, phone 349 0001, email Rosemary Hovey or Martha Hourigan.

What do you want for Wanganui? We'd like to hear from you.

The Council is currently organising meetings with groups so we can identify the community's priorities for Wanganui's future. These priorities will become part of the Community Outcomes Plan.

This will update the plan the Council and the community wrote in 1997. That plan identified a number of priorities for the community, including safety, health, education, unity, Treaty issues and so on.

We want to meet as many groups as possible, preferably at their own venue. Small groups (say 10-15 people) mean that all participants can contribute more easily. However, we will meet with any sized group.

To start the meeting Council representatives, including a councillor, will make a short presentation. After this the meeting will be open for the group to express their views and vision for Wanganui.

If your organisation or people in your neighbourhood would like to participate, please contact us:

Website: www.wanganui.govt.nz/ourfuture
Telephone hotline: 349 0501
Email: ourfuture@wanganui.govt.nz

We will meet you at a time and venue that suits you. The meetings will be held between February 17 and March 30.

Please take part. It is a good opportunity for you to have your say.

To February 16: St Paul's 150th Celebrations
Contact: St Paul's Church, phone 345 9318.

To February 16: Water Skiing - International Wanganui Classic Tournament
Venue: Lake Wiritoa.

February 15: Speedway - North Island Sidecar Championships
Venue: Oceanview Speedway, Landguard Road. 7pm.

February 15: Toy Library
Venue: 23 Campbell Street. 10am-12 noon. (Note: new premises; granny flat at end of driveway).

February 15: Rivercity Markets
Venue: Wanganui Racecourse. 8am-1pm.

February 15: Kaierau Sevens Day/Night Tournament
Venue: Kaierau Country Club, 100 Devon Road.

February 17: Rowing - Wanganui Secondary School Championships
Venue: Whanganui River.

Throughout February:
A wide range of exhibitions at the Sarjeant Gallery, Whanganui Regional Museum and other galleries.

More information about things to do in the Wanganui District is available from the i-Site Wanganui Visitor Centre, 101 Guyton Street.

Due to the hot dry weather, fire restrictions in the Wanganui District have been extended.

From midnight on Saturday, February 15, there is a total fire ban covering the entire Wanganui District. The ban will remain in place until further notice.

If you require further information, please contact:

• Department of Conservation (phone 345 2402) regarding the areas marked in green.
• New Zealand Fire Service (phone 348 0103) or Wanganui District Council (phone 349 0001) for other information.

Information about rural fire in the Wanganui District is the latest addition to this web site.

The pages show the current fire risk, as well as providing information about the fire season, fire permits, being prepared and reducing risks, and details about the types of fires that can be lit during the fire season.

Visit the rural fire pages here.

Community Exhibition - The Scotch Kirk: St Paul's Presbyterian Church 150th Anniversary from 8 February - 23 March 2003.

Williams' Barrel Organ plays 12.30pm Friday, February 21.

Free Entry Day - Sunday, February 23, 1.00pm - 4.30pm.

Lake Wiritoa will be closed to the public from Saturday, 15 February 2003, until Sunday, 16 February 2003, inclusive to allow for the Wanganui Water Ski Club to host the Wanganui Classic Tournament.

The beach area of the lake will remain open for passive recreation.

The Council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause the public.

Your efforts in the past have helped to keep the reservoirs available for everyone, and by conserving water you will make a difference this summer.

All residents should now be paying special attention to the year round hose code:

Sprinklers may be used between 6pm and 10pm only.

Odd numbered houses on odd numbered days.
Even numbered houses on even numbered days.

Hand held hoses can be used at any time.

Our advertising tunes are on the local radio stations to remind you of the water code and prevent full water restrictions being applied.

We've appreciated your help with the water conservation programme in the past - so save that drop this summer too.

The Wanganui District Council at a Special Meeting on 9 December 2002 resolved to revoke, by Special Order process, those parts of the Wanganui District Consolidated By-Law 1995 introduced in July 2000 relating to the liquor ban in the central business area.

The parts to be revoked are:
Clause 20.1.2 and clause 20.1.3 in Part 20 - Public Places, Parks and Reserves
Definition of 'Liquor' and definition of 'Liquor Ban Area' in Part 1 - By-Law Administration.

The Wanganui District Council intends to confirm the Special Order at its Ordinary Meeting, to be convened in the Council Chamber, Municipal Building, Guyton Street, Wanganui at 2.00pm on Monday, 24 February 2003, and that the Special Order come into effect on and as from Friday, 28 February 2003.

Reason
The Council has introduced a permanent liquor ban in a defined area, under Section 709C of the Local Government Act 1974. The existing parts of the By-Law relating to the liquor ban are now obsolete and therefore should be revoked.

Public inspection
Copies of the parts of the By-Law to be revoked are available on request, from Wanganui District Council Customer Services, Municipal Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Community Development - Special: Community Contracts (10am)
Friday, February 21

Council - Ordinary (Council Chamber)
Monday, February 24

Unless otherwise noted, the meetings commence at 2.00pm in Committee Room 2, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

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.

The Council welcomes members of the public to attend its meetings.

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