Friday, April 20, was a day to celebrate the start to the long awaited upgrade to the Whanganui River Road.

Representatives of Wanganui and Ruapehu District Councils, local iwi, River Road residents, Members of Parliament, Maori incorporations, Department of Conservation, Horizons Regional Council, tourism operators and other interested parties all gathered at Matahiwi Marae for a day of speeches, songs and goodwill.

Improving the Whanganui River Road will have a big impact on tourism and farming as well as the well-being of the residents.

Thirty-five kilometres of road between Matahiwi and south of Raetihi is being sealed in a project estimated to take six years at a cost of $7.5 million. Government is subsidising 79 percent with the two councils contributing the rest between them.

Wanganui residents can take pride in the fact that 80 percent of urban properties have completed the job of separating stormwater and sewage. However, that still leaves quite a few of us to get the work organised before the deadline of 1 July 2007.

For those people who have yet to book a tradesman to carry out the work, the job is simply to ensure that stormwater from your property – that's rainwater from the roof or hard surfaced areas – does not drain into the sewerage system. The options are:

1. discharge on to the ground
2. a soak pit
3. pipe to the street boundary
4. pipe to an open drain or watercourse.

The option most suitable for you will depend on where you live.

To comply with resource consent it is compulsory to have stormwater and sewage separated by 1 July 2007. After this date the Council does have the authority to do the work and charge the landowner.

Until separation work is completed there is stormwater entering the sewerage system when it rains. This can actually cause sewage to flow into the river untreated.

So help us achieve a healthier environment and a cleaner river and make Wanganui a better place to live.

Wanganui's fastest three-year-old is Harvey Hughes and he proved it in the three years and under section of the Toddlers' Twenty at this year's Mayoral Mile.

To recognise his achievement, Mayor Michael Laws presented Harvey with a certificate and Mayoral Mile medal at an informal ceremony last Thursday. Harvey's parents also received $100 to spend at the restaurant of their choice.

Mayor Michael would also like to personally congratulate the winners of the six years and under section, and they too are eligible for prizes. If their parents would like to contact Ngaire Ellwood at the Council, on 349 0001, a presentation will be arranged.

Pictured (from left) are Harvey's mum Karen, Harvey, Mayor Michael Laws and Lauren de Boeck.

Have your say on the Draft Annual Plan 2007/08
and 10-Year Plan Amendment

The Wanganui District Council has prepared its Draft Annual Plan 2007/08 – and now it's time for you to have your say.

The Draft Annual Plan is open for public submissions from 23 April 2007 until 25 May 2007.

We are also seeking submissions on a proposed amendment to the 10-Year Plan 2006-2016. The submission period is 23 April 2007 until 25 May 2007.

Summaries of the Draft Annual Plan and 10-Year Plan Amendment will be delivered to all households. These documents outline the key information in the Draft Annual Plan and 10-Year Plan Amendment. Submission forms are included with the summary documents.

If you want more detailed information, copies of the draft documents are available:

• By clicking the links in the paragraphs above.
• From the Customer Services Desk at the Council building, 101 Guyton Street, or by phoning Customer Services on 349 0001.
• From the Wanganui District Library.
• By emailing us

Submissions can be made in the following ways:

Post it to: Wanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Wanganui
Fax it to: (06) 349 0000
Deliver it to: Customer Services Desk, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
Phone the hotline: (06) 349 0501 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Email
Online

Please remember to include your name, contact details and whether you want to speak about your submission at the hearing on June 5.

All submissions will be acknowledged and considered by the Council. Copies of each submission will be made publicly available when the Council considers submissions.

All of Wanganui City's domestic wastewater, including sewage and groundwater, will be discharged to the Whanganui River for an extended period up to 28 April 2007.

As part of the Wastewater Project, the under river pipeline has now been successfully upgraded to accommodate the higher pressures needed to pump wastewater to the new treatment plant near the Airport.

The existing line has been emptied, drained out and cut into on both sides of the river, requiring discharge of city wastewater to the river. A 600m length of new pipeline has been successfully pulled through the existing pipeline and is being connected to the new pipes which have been laid across the Airport to the treatment ponds.

During excavation it was found that a section of major pipework embedded within the foundation of Beach Road Pump Station is in extremely poor condition and must be replaced now, prior to recommissioning the ocean outfall. Unfortunately, this work will extend the discharge to the river beyond the original programmed period. The discharge will now continue until 28 April 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 extended operation which is covered by the District Council's consent for the Wastewater Scheme.

Wanganui Civic Honours Award

Nominations for the Wanganui Civic Honours Award are now being sought.

The Award will be made to people who have carried out meritorious voluntary community service in Wanganui.

Nominations must be made by two citizens of Wanganui, or a bona fide organisation.

Please note: Previous nominations will not be considered for selection. Only people nominated this year will be considered, as nominations do not "roll over" annually.

Nomination forms and Conditions of Nomination are available from Customer Services, Ground Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

The closing date for nominations is Friday, 27 April 2007.

Vacancies

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Building Control Officer - Applications
Applications close 6 May 2007

Rates Officer
Applications close 6 May 2007

Executive Assistant
Applications close 13 May 2007

Roading Traffic Safety Engineer
Applications close 20 May 2007

Roading Operations Officer
Applications close 20 May 2007

Wanganui Sister Cities Association
Notice of Annual General Meeting

Time: 5:30pm
Date: Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Venue: Council Chambers, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street

Business:

• Chairman's Report
• Financial Report
• Subscriptions
• 2008 – 20th Anniversary of Sister City relationship with Nagaizumi-cho, Japan
• General Business

If you have an interest in all or any of Wanganui's Sister Cities — Nagaizumi-cho, Japan — Toowoomba, Australia — Reno, USA — you are invited to attend this AGM.

Noel Irving
Chairman

Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council Meeting – Monday, April 30 (Council Chamber)
- The Council will consider the reports from all Committee meetings held in April.

Wanganui District Councils' Forestry Joint Committee – Tuesday, May 1

Community Development – Tuesday, May 8

Hearings – Wednesday, May 9 (to be confirmed)

Finance and Administration – Thursday, May 10

Infrastructure – Monday, May 14

Sport and Activity – Tuesday, May 15 (2.00pm)
- Velodrome Events Centre

Strategy – Tuesday, May 15 (Council Chamber)

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.