The Council's Draft Annual Plan 2007/08 contains a projected average 1.8% rates increase for residential properties.

However, it also contains two additional levies – one relating to the damage caused by the July 2006 storms, and the other relating to the 'soft water' project.

The storm levy will not deliver any new or existing council services or amenities. It is to pay for the multi-million dollar damage – mostly to rural roads – caused by last year's storm event. Residential and commercial rateable properties will pay a $47 storm levy, and farming rateable properties will pay a $52 storm levy. These are in addition to the 1.8% rates increase.

The soft water levy will be an additional $73 per household. However, the projected household savings from soft water are anticipated at $230-$280 per household. In other words, there would be a net saving of between $157-$207 per household.

The table below summarises the likely financial effects upon your household, business or farming property.

For most Wanganui people, the net result will be that even after their rates increase and the additional levies, they will be better off in real dollar terms.

The following information is based on average rates for residential, commercial and farming properties. Actual rates increases will differ from property to property.

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.

River Queen exhibition

Lights, Camera, Action… River Queen in Whanganui is open only until the end of this month at the Whanganui Regional Museum.

In 2004 the Whanganui River's dramatic landscape became the stage for the film "River Queen" by New Zealand director Vincent Ward. The film tells the story of a young woman's search for her lost son during the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s.

Developed with the assistance of people who worked on the film, this exhibition looks at the real life inspiration behind the main characters and explores the parallels between the film's story and actual history. Recreated sets and costumes worn by lead actors and key cast extras allow visitors to get up close with props used in the film and discover some of the techniques behind the special effects. A huge number of local people were involved, both in front of and behind the camera, and in the vast array of photographs on display you are sure to recognise many friends and family members.

Wanganui is in the process of rediscovering and embracing the river. This exhibition focuses on the great waterway which is now, and always has been, the lifeblood of our region and its people.

Lights, Camera, Action… River Queen in Whanganui runs until the end of this month, so be in quick to immerse yourself in your own River Queen experience!

Whanganui Regional Museum, Watt Street, Wanganui, is open 10.00am to 4.30pm seven days, phone (06) 349 1110, email Museum.

The discharge of Wanganui City's domestic wastewater, including sewage and groundwater, from Beach Road pump station to the Whanganui River has now ceased.

As part of the Wastewater Project, the under river pipeline had to be upgraded to accommodate the higher pressures needed to pump wastewater to the new treatment plant near the airport.

The existing under river line has been emptied, drained out and cut into on both sides of the river. A 600m length of new pipeline has been successfully pulled through the existing pipeline, and has been connected to the new rising/falling mains which have been laid across the airport to the treatment ponds.

A section of badly corroded pipework embedded within the foundation of the Beach Road pump station has also been replaced. The system has been successfully recommissioned and all effluent is being pumped out to sea via the ocean outfall.

The public are reminded, however, that fish and shellfish caught in the river should not be eaten raw – this applies at all times.

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

Personal Assistant to the Mayor
Applications close 20 May 2007

Property Officer
Applications close 31 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

Community Development – Tuesday, May 8
- Community and Cultural Action Plan; Puanga/Matariki presentation; Iwi liaison; Healthy Homes Project; Youth democracy – Kids Voting initiative; Draft Wanganui Positive Ageing Strategy; Kowhai Park development update; Whanganui Arts Culture and Heritage Trust report; District Plan Change to be made operative – Private Plan Change 7 (W and B Baxter).

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)

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Thursday, May 17

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.