We love Wanganui!

Friday, May 11, was the day we got together and loudly proclaimed our love for our city. Hundreds of us marched from the riverbank to Majestic Square in a grand display of solidarity. Escorted by the police, led by the stirring sound of pipes and drums, and proudly carrying flags, banners and posters, the huge crowd braved the threatening weather and marched for a common cause – our community.

We showed that we care about Wanganui, and that we care what the rest of the country thinks about our home. Surrounded by representatives of local and national media we declared our faith in our community.

Mayor Michael Laws, in a speech at Majestic Square, said, "Wanganui is a beautiful, upbeat, vibrant city. It is a fantastic place to live, work and play – a great place to raise children. I know because this is where I choose to raise mine – the most precious responsibility I shall ever have".

"This rally is about affirming what a great place Wanganui truly is. But it is also to affirm to the rest of the country – and to the national media – that we are not frightened. We are not intimidated. We are not fearful. We are not unsafe.

"We are Wanganui. Warm, caring, compassionate."

Speakers included Tupoho kaumatua John Maihi, Father Bell, Chronicle editor Kirsty Macnicol, MPs Jill Pettis and Chester Borrows, Police Superintendent Inspector Duncan McLeod and Mayor Michael Laws.

The marchers were asked to come forward after the speeches to sign their names to the flags and banner. For every signature Energy Direct has promised to donate one dollar to Victim Support in Wanganui.

And when big Alex Baumanis called for three cheers for Wanganui, there was no hesitation from the crowd.

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.

The 500m stretch of walkway along the riverbank between the Wanganui Canoe Club and Hakeke St is about to undergo a major upgrade.

The present shellrock path has eroded badly in recent years and has become very uneven with a number of low points becoming muddy or ponding in wet weather.

Work will start shortly on building a level foundation to iron-out the low points and provide a solid base for a 2.5m wide combined walkway/cycleway, which will be sealed with asphaltic concrete.

In certain areas, the present path will be lifted some 300mm to provide the necessary level foundation for the full length of the new pathway.

For more information, contact Alan Doyle on 349 0001 or 027 212 0635.

Sarjeant Gallery – public meeting

Members of the Sarjeant Gallery and members of the public interested in the Sarjeant Gallery and the arts are invited to a meeting to be held at the Sarjeant Gallery on Thursday, 17 May 2007, at 7.30pm.

The purpose of the meeting is to consider the setting up of a formal structure for the Members of the Sarjeant Gallery. The meeting will entail:

• A report back from the Friends of the Sarjeant Establishment Group
• A report on the results of the Friends of the Sarjeant Questionnaire
• Consideration of a future structure of the Members/Friends
• Consideration of a draft constitution for the Members/Friends

A reminder to all ratepayers that the due date for payment of Instalment 4 is Wednesday, 23 May 2007. 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.

A reminder that applications for a rates rebate for the current rating year must be made by Friday, June 29. If you think you may eligible for a rebate, please come into our office and staff will assist you with this process.

The current rating year is from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007. Any application for a rebate must be made within this period.

To date, more than 2000 ratepayers have qualified for assistance and received a rebate toward their rates.

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 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 and
• The amount of rates and
• The number of dependents.

Vacancies

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

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

Visitor Information Junior Consultant
Applications close 27 May 2007

Property Officer
Applications close 31 May 2007

Senior Curator (readvertised)
Applications close 8 June 2007

Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Thursday, May 17
- Annual Report on Wanganui District Council Rural Fire Force 2006/07; New Fire Legislation; Request for Liquor Ban at Mowhanau on New Year's Eve 2007/08; New Zealand Community Boards Conference 2007; Storm Damage Update; Local Government Commission – Representation Determination; Whanganui River Control and Waterways Activities; Council's Draft 2007/08 Annual Plan.

Sport and Activity – Monday, May 21 (3.00pm)
- Velodrome Events Centre.

Council Meeting – Monday, May 28 (Council Chamber)
- The Council will consider the reports from all Committee meetings held in May.

Council Meeting – Tuesday, June 5 (9.00am to 3.30pm) (Council Chamber)
- Annual Plan Submissions Hearing.

Heritage – Tuesday, June 5

Council Meeting – Thursday, June 7 (9.00am to 5.00pm) (Council Chamber)
- Annual Plan Submissions Hearing – reserve day (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.