The Heart of Wanganui project includes concepts for new cultural buildings, developed by some of New Zealand’s leading architects.

In mid-2007 Wanganui people will be asked to vote whether or not the Heart project should go ahead. They will also be asked which concepts they prefer. Please note that these are only concepts, not final plans.

This week we continue looking at the various options, including comparative costs for individual options and for retaining the status quo. Cost comparisons are based on standardised industry building costs, not on detailed plans. We will not have an estimate of actual costs until detailed plans are prepared.

Option 2 – Library: located at Farmers site on Majestic Square

Option 2 requires the purchase of the Victoria Avenue site, next to Majestic Square, which is currently occupied by Farmers.

The concept for Option 2 is that the Library is integrated with Majestic Square, with interactive media walls fronting the square plus a new pedestrian and traffic link from Majestic Square to the War Memorial Hall forecourt.

Comparative cost

(Note: All of the Library options include the costs for the seismic upgrade of the War Memorial Hall).

Please contact us if you want more information or want to give us your feedback:

Heart of Wanganui website
Email us
Phone: 349 0501

Heart of Wanganui - suburban meetings

The options for Heart of Wanganui will be presented at a series of neighbourhood meetings during November and there will be the opportunity for you to ask questions. We welcome your attendance.

Quietly painted details of landscape and its animal inhabitants feature in Johanna Pegler’s Biophilia exhibition. Pegler’s interest lies in the interrelatedness of elements of the natural world and draws from the environs of Wanganui and her previous home of Coromandel.

Pictured is Love Knot, 2005.

Rates Instalment 2 due date reminder

A reminder to all ratepayers that the due date for payment of instalment 2 is Wednesday, 22 November 2006. Please ensure payments reach our office by close of business on this day.

Council also offers direct debit as a method of payment. Frequency of payments can be weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly. Please contact the Rates department for further information, phone 349 0519.

Remember that you can apply for a rates rebate at any time during the 2006/07 rating year. The income threshold is $20,000. A rebate of up to $500 can be claimed.

Before we can process your application, we need to see:

• Your Community Services Card.
• Evidence of all income (before tax) for last tax year (this includes income from interest, pensions etc).
• Your Wanganui District Council rates notice for 2006/07 and your Horizons Regional Council rates notice for 2006/07.

Eligibility for a rates rebate is determined by:

• The ratepayer’s income for the tax year preceding the start of the rating year and
• The amount of rates and
• The number of dependents.

Policy Analyst (Sport & Recreation)
Applications close 4 December 2006

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Thursday, November 16
- Board’s Standing Orders – revised; Impact of forestry on road infrastructure; Horizons Regional Council – ‘One Plan’ presentation; Agrecovery – agriculture and forestry sector plastic containers; New Year’s Eve 2006/07 Liquor Ban – Mowhanau; Archers Bridge; Rural roads and storm event damage update; Submission on Transit New Zealand’s Draft 2006/07 – 2015/16 10-year State Highway Forecast; Local Government New Zealand Rural Forum; Rubbish collection point - Brunswick/Tokomaru East Roads.

Harbour (Extraordinary Meeting) – Friday, November 17
- Wastewater treatment plant – Powerco Easement – Harbour Endowment Land; 305-307 Heads Road, Wanganui. Confidential item: Legal issues – Crown involvement – Port.

Council Meeting – Monday, November 27 (Council Chamber)
- The Council will consider the reports from all Committee meetings held in November.

Heritage – Tuesday, November 28

Youth – Monday, December 4

Sport and Activity – Tuesday, December 5

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at 4.00pm 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.