Panic at the Disco

Wanganui's newly appointed Youth Committee will be 'rolling out the good times' this Saturday night at their first organised event - 'Panic at the Disco'.

Planned to coincide with the nationwide Youth Week promotion, 'Panic at the Disco' will be a fun, safe night of skating, dance and music.

Youth Project Coordinator Heather Cox says the Youth Committee has done well with their planning.

"It's been fantastic to watch a group of people aged 12 and over work together to develop and implement an event that provides something for everyone, regardless of their own age and specific interest.

"They've been busy on the theme, music, activities and even decorations! The beauty of youth creating for youth is that they know the formula for what's cool and what's not. They even design their own posters and write their own radio commercials."

Even if they don't want to skate, youth are encouraged to come along to meet the Youth Committee, pass on some ideas for other events and have a good time hanging out with friends and meeting new people. The canteen will be open, glow sticks will be available and the music will be on.

Doors open at 7.00pm and the $5 entry fee includes inline or skate hire if needed and everyone has the chance to win some great spot prizes!

Help Zoe train as a search and rescue dog

Zoe is a 16 month old Boxer bitch and she is in training.

If all goes well, Zoe will become a part of New Zealand's Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Canine Search Team.

USAR search dogs are a unique and valuable resource in the location of people trapped in collapsed structures following a disaster. Humans shed up to 40,000 skin cells every minute, and it is these tiny airborne particles that can lead a trained USAR dog to a trapped victim.

These amazing animals must be healthy, energetic, agile, high drive dogs who can cope with the stress of being around other dogs, handlers, rescue workers and the noise and confusion of a rescue site.

Training is very intense and can prove a challenge to a Boxer like Zoe. Immediate obedience is required and the dog must be able to understand directions demanded by the handler. These dogs must also be able to search for and locate multiple victims independent of the handler.

Zoe's handler, Lois Blackmore, along with the rest of the Wanganui District Council Rescue Team, were given their USAR orange cards and certificates at a presentation on May 23.

Lois is always on the lookout for new locations and willing volunteers to play victim to help Zoe with her training.

If you are willing to give up half an hour occasionally to play hide and seek with Zoe, or if you have heavy machinery, an empty building, perhaps a junkyard, or anywhere that could look exciting to a dog, Lois would love to hear from you.

Lois is available in the evenings on 344 2577.

You never know; some day they could be looking for you.

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 (PDF, 662KB) 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 (PDF, 476KB). The submission period is 23 April 2007 until 25 May 2007.

Summaries of the Draft Annual Plan (PDF, 450KB) and 10-Year Plan Amendment (PDF, 73KB) 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.

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:

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

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).

Youth – Friday, June 8

Council Meeting – Monday, June 11 (9.00am to 5.00pm) (Council Chamber)
- Annual Plan Deliberations.

Sport and Activity – Tuesday, June 12 (1.00pm)

Hearings – Wednesday, June 13 (1.30pm)

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.