Issue No. 288 - 7 December 2006

Heart of Wanganui

It’s your city, your future … your choice

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.Library Veterans Steps

Option 5 - Combined Library/Museum building
Option 5 proposes that a new, purpose-built structure is constructed on the site of the current Museum. The existing Museum building would be demolished. The new building would house the Library and Museum. It includes basement car parking.

Comparative cost

  Heart of Wanganui Status quo
Total project cost $69,700,000 $10,500,000
Expected external funding $8,000,000 $0
Cost to ratepayers $61,700,000 $10,500,000
Cost per ratepayer per annum (GST inclusive) $246 $43

(Note: All of the Library options include the costs for the seismic upgrade of the War Memorial Hall as this work must be undertaken whether or not any of the Heart of Wanganui options go ahead).

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

Heart of Wanganui website
Email us
Phone: 349 0501

New branding launched

Wanganui has an exciting new brand, launched on November 30, bringing a common theme and consistency to the district's branding.

The brand has been developed based on data from a range of sources and represents the values that Wanganui holds dear. Variants have been developed for the Council and its associated organisations and activities, as well as the specific brands for tourism and events. Common to all the variants is the Whanganui River running through the logo.

The logo is a clean, uncomplicated brand which reflects Wanganui people's love of the natural environment and of their home. The taglines 'welcome home' (for the district logo) and 'discovery is the adventure' (tourism) support these concepts. The events logo is a celebration of Wanganui.

"The new branding reflects the values and heritage of our community, as well as incorporating Wanganui's most identifiable asset – the river," Mayor Michael Laws said.

"The tagline 'welcome home' works on many levels. For those of us who live here, Wanganui is home and the place we have chosen to live. It also has meaning for those who return to Wanganui to visit or to live, as well as being inclusive for people who are visiting our district for the first time.

"Consistency of branding will assist in its recognition outside Wanganui and also make it a brand that Wanganui people can be proud of. In the past, there has been no consistent branding used across the district."

The new branding replaces the "well worth the journey" logo. The Council will continue to use the City Coat of Arms for formal/legal purposes.

Use of the new branding is subject to strict style requirements. Anyone who wishes to use the logo (for example, to promote an event) must apply to the Marketing Manager at Wanganui Inc for approval and must comply with the style guidelines.

Welcome Home

Council

Events

Tourism

Rates rebates

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.
Vacancy

Administration Officer
Applications close 15 December 2006

Property Officer
Applications close 20 December 2006

Parks Officer
Applications close 20 December 2006

Roading Engineer
Applications close 22 December 2006
Upcoming Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Strategy – Tuesday, December 12 (Council Chamber)
- Museum governance; Soft water update; Water utility connection charges; Referendum '07; Wanganui Rural Community Board – appointment of elected members to Wanganui District Council committees; Part Lot 7 Mill Road, 125 and 129A Mosston Road; Policy team.

Council – Monday, December 18 (Council Chamber)
- The Council will consider the reports from all Committee meetings held in December.

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.
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