Cultural Tourism Opportunity

The Regional Arts, Culture and Heritage Working Party representing Wanganui District Council, Rangitikei District Council and the Ruapehu District Council is calling for expressions of interest to develop a database of participants, assets and organisations involved in Arts, Culture and Heritage across the three regions.

Key skills/experience:

• Database development/management
• Knowledge of the regions
• Project management

Please send your CV and details to:

The Economic Development Manager
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui

The funding for this contract will come under Creative New Zealand's Regional Strengths Strategy allocation for 2002/03.

Applications close 16 May 2003 at 12.00pm.

Water Services thanks the people of Wanganui for the conservation effort made to date that has ensured sufficient water supplies for all water users.

Everyone is reminded that sprinklers can only be used on even numbered days for even numbered houses and odd numbered days for odd numbered houses, between the hours of 6pm and 10pm. Hand held hoses can be used at any time.

The best water results for the garden are achieved from watering in the early evening.

Financial Assistance to Arts and Cultural Activities

TE MAHI TAHA TOI ME TE MAHI WHAKANGAHAU MO TENEI WAHI
MO NGA ROPU KEI TE PIRANGI MONI AWHINATIA MO TE MAHI
TAHA TOI ME TE MAHI WHAKANGAHAU

Applications for financial assistance under the Creative New Zealand Local Arts Funding Scheme are now being called for.

Approximately $15,500 is available for distribution to arts and cultural activity groups, organisations and individuals, based in the Wanganui District Council area. (Applications from individuals must indicate community rather than exclusive benefit).

Application Assistance

To assist those wishing to apply, and who may need assistance, please contact either Keith Smith at the District Council, or, Barbara Vine at the Community Arts Centre.

Application forms are available from:

Further detailed information is available from:

Keith Smith
Community Liaison Officer
Wanganui District Council

Applications close at 4.00pm Friday, 30 May 2003

Smoke alarms to be required in all new homes

From 22 April 2003, automatic smoke detection and alarm systems must be installed in all new detached dwellings and other household units built (where they are not already required).

This change is the result of an amendment to the building code (clause F7). It requires that 'appropriate means of detection and warning of fire must be provided within each household unit'.

At this stage single station battery operated smoke alarms are acceptable. (The Building Industry Authority will continue to review whether hard-wired or other more advanced systems of smoke detection and alarm should be required).

The new requirement does not apply to existing homes. However, the regulations require the installation of smoke alarms when a building undergoes an alteration or change of use to become a home, or when an alteration that requires a building consent is made to an existing home.

Resource Management Act 1991
Application for Resource Consent

The Wanganui District Council has received an application for resource consent as described below. The application and accompanying information may be viewed at the Wanganui District Council offices during normal office hours.

Applicant: Laurence Bruce Petherick.

Description of application: The development of a new food market and associated 32 space car park to replace the existing fire damaged Eastbrook Food Market.

Location of property affected by the application: 77 Moana Street and 57 & 61 Duncan Street being legally described as Lots 1 & 2 DP18219, Lot 14 Blk VI DP2351 and Pt Lot 15 Blk VI DP2351.

Submissions on the application may be made in writing by any person and should be made to the Chief Executive Officer, Wanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Wanganui. A submission form and explanation is available at Environmental Services at the above offices. Submissions will be received by Council until 4pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2003.

Any submission must be dated, signed and include the following:

1. Your name, postal address, telephone and facsimile number.
2. Details of the application in respect of which you are making the submission, including location.
3. Whether you support or oppose the application.
4. Your submission, with reasons.
5. The decision you wish the Council to make.
6. Whether you wish to be heard in support of your submissions.

A copy of every submission made to Council must also be served as soon as reasonably practicable on the applicant whose address for service is:

LB Petherick
26 Major Durie Place
Waikanae

Solid fuel fires

There are changes afoot for people thinking of installing a solid fuel fire, either free standing or as an insert into an existing fireplace.

The Council will (from 1 April 2003) accept producer statements from accredited installers. These installers will have met the requirements of Council regarding the quality of installation and will be able to certify that the fire has been installed to standard and meets the manufacturer's specifications.

These changes will result in a more cost efficient system whereby the installer will complete and sign off the system at the end of the job. An extra visit and independent inspection will not be necessary.

From 1 April 2003 the Council will also increase the prices of the building consent fees from $80 for a freestanding fire to $120 and from $110 to $180 for an insert. These charges reflect the true costs of administration and inspection, the insert being more expensive because it involves two inspections.

For further information contact Bob Davies, email Bob Davies or phone (06) 349 0535.

The Council has launched a new initiative to help preserve and upgrade buildings in the central business district (CBD).

Owners or purchasers are able to have a preliminary expert report done for a building so they have a better idea of what needs to be done to bring it up to a reasonable standard as set out in the Building Act 1991. This will result in safer and more usable buildings.

"Following Annual Plan submissions from a number of concerned groups, the Council has allocated funds to assist with the cost of these reports," Richard Munneke, Environment Manager, said.

"People need to apply to the Council before reports are written, so the Council can approve the proposal. The reports need to be done by professional experts who can give accurate and sound advice and information."

The Building Assessment Assistance Fund is to investigate whether a building can safely accommodate a new use. It is not for detailed design or physical works. The fund is available for buildings in the Old Town Conservation Zone (Overlay Zone) and the Central Commercial Zone and any other non-residential building included in the District Plan Heritage list. Assistance is given as a dollar for dollar grant, to a maximum grant of $1500 for any one building.

"We believe that that eventually many of the buildings which make our CBD such an attractive place will be unusable if nothing is done. This would be bad for the whole community. Over time the Council will build up a library of reports so that it will have a far better idea of the state of the buildings in the CBD."

Anyone interested in applying for assistance can contact Jeff Jamieson of the Council. Copies of the application form and background information are available from the Council's Environmental Services unit.

The Council has arranged for a 12-month trial for the public to have free P120 time-restricted parking in St Hill and Watt Streets. This arrangement will be instead of the present parking meters.

The trial started on Monday, October 7.

The trial will help the Council to find out whether the free parking will encourage more shoppers to park near the Central Business District. It has been suggested that the availability of this type of parking is important in retaining the economic vitality of the area.