Wanganui Referendum 2005

The Council's Referendum Working Party met this week to discuss likely projects for the Wanganui Referendum 2005.

The Working Party comprises Mayor Michael Laws, Crs Randhir Dahya, Murray Hughes, Graeme Taylor and Sue Westwood. They unanimously resolved to report to Council's Strategy Committee the following projects and estimated costings for the referendum:

The 2005 Referendum voting papers will be available in mid-April.

Wanganui Heritage Weekend - March 12-13
A celebration of our people and our heritage

Wanganui celebrates its heritage this weekend with a wide range of events.Some of the major celebrations include:

Saturday, March 12

The River Traders Market - 10am-4pm, Moutoa Quay
The old town wharf was once a thriving trading area. Today local traders will have a range of produce and arts and crafts available.

Heritage Market Day - 10am-2pm, Central City
Market Day bargains, street entertainment, buggy rides, performances at Majestic Square.

Children's games from yesteryear - 11am-12.30pm, Majestic Square
Watch and participate in a range of children's games.

Soap Box Derby - 1.30pm, Majestic Square
Competitors in this team event will race from Majestic Square to the Watt Fountain and return.

Music Hall on the PS Waimarie - 7pm
Enjoy entertainment from the music hall era while cruising the Whanganui River. Bookings at the Royal Wanganui Opera House.

Saturday, March 12, and Sunday, March 13

Steam Traction Society - 9am start both days, Moutoa Quay
Static displays and rides on trailers behind a variety of traction engines.

Wanganui Axemen's Club - 10am-4pm, Kowhai Park (adjacent to Motor Boat Club)
Axemen and sawers from throughout the North Island will compete in the annual Makirikiri Chopping Meet and River City Carnival.

Wanganui Yacht Club 70th Anniversary
Activities include the Western Districts Regatta at Gilberd Street and a heritage race between the City and Cobham Bridges.

These are just a few of the great heritage happenings this weekend. There are also lots of displays at various venues around Wanganui, heritage walks, church services and entertainment.

Programmes with the full list of events are available from i-SITE Wanganui Visitor Centre in Guyton Street and the Wanganui District Library.

Wanganui welcomes competitors and supporters to the 2005 National Track and Field Championships being held at Westpac Stadium, Cooks Gardens, this weekend.

A huge number of entries (650) have been received for this year's nationals, including New Zealand's leading athletes and some international competitors from the Oceania area and Britain. This year's event includes under-19 and under-16 age groups and racing for wheelchair and disabled athletes.

Some of the big names on the programme are Olympians Beatrice Faumuina (shotput), Valerie Vili, formerly Adams (discus), Chris Donaldson (sprinter), Chantal Brunner (long jump), Stuart Farqhuar (javelin) and Melina Hamilton (pole vault) as well as current national titleholders.

The programme started on Friday and continues on Saturday and Sunday. Many of the leading athletes will feature in the Saturday evening programme. Sunday's session begins at 8am and there is a huge programme to get through before the championships wind up about 4.30pm.

Don't miss this opportunity to see New Zealand's top athletes, and our up and coming stars, in action.

Statement of Proposal
Council Controlled Organisation for Major Regional Initiative in Tourism

The Wanganui, Ruapehu and Rangitikei District Councils are proposing to establish a Trust which will be a Council Controlled Organisation and invite public submissions on the proposal.

The Statement of Proposal outlines the establishment of a Trust to oversee the Regional Partnership Programme Major Regional Initiative in tourism. The Ruapehu, Rangitikei and Wanganui District Councils established the Regional Partnership Programme in 2001, in conjunction with their Iwi.

The Trust will provide for a more formal, robust and transparent structure for management of the current tourism Major Regional Initiative (MRI), any future MRI or other projects developed by the Regional Partners. The Trust will also administer and monitor any grant funding received from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.

The Statement of Proposal and submission forms are available at the offices of the Ruapehu, Rangitikei and Wanganui District Councils and public libraries in those districts. A 'Summary of Information', which outlines the full Statement of Proposal, is available here.

The Statement of Proposal is open for public submissions from 1 March 2005 until 1 April 2005.

For more information, please contact:

Philip Shackleton, Wanganui District Council, phone (06) 349 0001
Lisa Knight, Ruapehu District Council, phone (07) 895 8188
Michael Hodder, Rangitikei District Council, phone (06) 327 8174

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Audit and Administration - Tuesday, March 15
- Local Government Elected Members' Determination 2005, Cooks Gardens Trust Board, alterations to Committee Room 2 and Council Chambers, communications review, Local Government Authority Election 2004: Electoral Officer's report, Electionz.com Limited contract, update on 'Heart of Wanganui' project.

Environment - Wednesday, March 16
- Bason Botanic Gardens - NZ Gardens Trust Assessment, Larsen Bequest, Liquor Policy - hours of operation, progress report from Full Circle - Council's recycling partner, Castlecliff management issues, delegation to hear and determine submissions to District Plan changes & Reserve Management Plans, green burials, tree maintenance around power lines.

Community - Thursday, March 17
- Youth update, surveillance cameras, Wanganui Safer Community Advisory Group, Peter Snell sculpture, Community Contracts review, Iwi liaison update, update on petition on Police numbers.

Community - Friday, March 18 (9am)
- Community Contracts (it is expected that this meeting will be held with the public excluded)

Works and Transport (Harbour) - Wednesday, March 23

Strategy - Thursday, March 24 (1pm)

Economic - Tuesday, March 29

Council - Monday, April 4 (4pm, Pioneer Room, Memorial Hall)
- The Council will consider the reports from all the Committee meetings held during March.

Unless otherwise noted all meetings are held at 4pm 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.