Voting in this year's referendum closes at midday on April 14 and the outcomes will be part of the Council's Annual Plan considerations in June.

Wanganui residents are being asked:

Should Wanganui's water supply be softened?
The cost of a treatment plant and new bore to provide softer water would be $6M, with additional operating costs of $400,000 per year. The rateable cost per household would be $73-$79 per year. Savings from the introduction of soft water, plus reduced wear and tear on appliances, would range from $240 to $330 per household per year.

Should Wanganui introduce a local bill that outlaws the wearing of gang insignia in public places?
The Council believes that prohibiting the wearing of gang insignia in public places will reduce intimidation by gang members and reduce confrontations between gangs. A local bill will enable the Police to take direct enforcement action against those in breach of the bill to stop any perceived or real intimidation or threat to public safety.

Should the Council establish a kerbside recycling service?
A kerbside recycling service would collect traditional recyclable products like plastic bottles, glass bottles, cardboard, paper, aluminium and steel cans. This could replace the Peat Street recycling centre. The effect upon rates would be an additional $23 per household per year.

Should Wanganui have its own Anniversary Day?
Wanganui currently observes Wellington Anniversary Day. Wanganui has a rich heritage and unique identity, quite separate from Wellington. If residents support a Wanganui Anniversary Day, the Council will decide on an appropriate date after consultation with the community.

Additional information on the referendum topics is available here.

The results of Referendum '07 will feed into the Annual Plan 2007/08. How you vote will make a difference.

How to vote

Voting documents for Referendum '07 have been distributed to all electors.

Please return your voting paper in the envelope provided or hand deliver to the Council office.

Application for a special voting paper can be made at the Council office if:

1. You have lost, damaged or not received your voting paper
2. You are on the unpublished roll
3. You are now eligible to enrol – enrolment forms are available at the Council office.

To vote, please shade the circle of the option you want to vote for.

Voting closes at 12 noon, Saturday, 14 April 2007.

For any further information call Customer Services on 349 0001.

This beautiful and important exhibition celebrates the legacy of a lifetime's work created by Ans Westra, New Zealand's foremost documentary photographer.

The exhibition explores events and rituals of Maori and Pakeha life recorded since the late 1950s and includes many photographs taken in the Whanganui region in areas such as Parikino, Koriniti, Jerusalem and Ratana.

The exhibition was organised, co-curated and toured by Luit Bieringa, Wellington Director of BWX.

The exhibition is on at the Sarjeant until May 13.

Photo: 'Te Wai-herehere', Koroniti (Corinth), Whanganui River Road, 1961

All of Wanganui City's domestic wastewater, including sewage and groundwater, will be discharged to the Whanganui River for a period of up to 16 days from March 26.

Beach Rd pump station was shut down at 8.00am on Monday, March 26, to allow work to be done on the pipeline beneath the Whanganui River. This means that sewage will be discharged to the river from March 26 until about April 14.

As part of the wastewater project, the under-river pipeline has to be upgraded to accommodate the higher pressures needed to pump wastewater to the new treatment plant near the Airport.

Engineers have assessed that sleeving the existing pipeline is more cost effective than laying a new line.

The existing line will be emptied, cleaned and cut into on both sides of the river. A 600m length of new pipe will then be pulled through the existing pipeline and connected to Beach Rd pump station and the new rising/falling mains which have been laid across the Airport to the treatment ponds. The falling main will be connected to the existing outfall during the shut-down period.

The work has been scheduled as late as possible within the construction programme for the treatment plant. This is to ensure it causes minimum impact whilst still enabling the plant to be commissioned before the Resource Consent date of 1 July 2007.

The public should be aware that fish and shellfish caught in the river should not be eaten raw. This applies at all times.

Horizons Regional Council has been advised of the operation which is covered by the District Council's consent for the wastewater scheme.

Supporting Creative Art Initiatives in Wanganui
Creative Communities New Zealand
Local Arts Funding Scheme Round 1 / 2007

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

Funding is available for local community based arts activities in your area from the Creative Communities Scheme (CCS). The Scheme aims to increase participation in the arts at a local level, and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities.

Applications are now being called for from arts and cultural groups, organisations and individuals, based in the Wanganui District Council area.

Application forms are available from:
Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui or here (PDF, 74KB)
Wanganui Arts, Culture and Heritage Development Trust
Wanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay, Wanganui
Wanganui District Library, Queens Park
Sarjeant Gallery, Queens Park

For further detailed information please contact:
Neil Buddle - Arts Developer
(06) 345 4250
Whanganui Arts, Culture and Heritage Development Trust
whanganuiartsinitiative@xtra.co.nz

Or attend:
Creative Communities Funding Workshop
Leedstown Trust Office, Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay, Wanganui
Wednesday, April 11 – 10am-12pm
Contact Neil Buddle

Applications close at 5pm Friday, 27 April 2007

On 1 April 2007, Wanganui District Council is changing its banking facilities from Westpac to ANZ.

There will be a transition period and we will endeavour to ensure there is no disruption to customers who make payments to Council by way of automatic payments, direct credits, internet banking, telephone banking and direct debits.

If you would like further information, please contact Customer Services on 349 0001.

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.

Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Heritage – Tuesday, April 10

Youth – Monday, April 16

Sport and Activity – Tuesday, April 17 (1.00pm)

Community Development – Tuesday, April 17
- To consider Castlecliff Sand Management Issue

Hearings – Wednesday, April 18 (to be confirmed)

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.