New projects planned for 2007/08

For three years in a row the Council has delivered the lowest rates increases in the country. From an average nil rise in 2005/06, an average 3% rise in 2006/07, to this year's average 1.7% rates rise the Council has proven that, with prudent management, community expectations can be matched.

The 2007/08 Annual Plan also provides for major capital works to maintain, and new projects to improve, the city and district.

Our children will enjoy the results of the $220,000 to be spent on playground equipment at Lorenzdale Park, Williams Domain, Peat Park and Kowhai Park. Also, the Splash Centre extension will be opening in the coming summer after an expenditure of $2.8 million.

The water softening plant has had its construction costs reduced to $2.5 million and within 12 months all of Wanganui will enjoy the benefits and economic savings of soft water.

Wanganui Airport will look a sight more welcoming after the $165,000 upgrade and the city's cyclists will appreciate the $209,000 being spent on cycleways. This project will start in August.

Wanganui's iconic War Memorial Hall will have new exterior cladding to the tune of $400,000 and the Sarjeant Gallery will have $250,000 spent on its roof.

Other changes include:

• $150,000 to groom Castlecliff Beach
• The graffiti removal budget increased by $50,000
• $80,000 for a Velodrome Events Centre research study
• $50,000 to combat algal bloom on Virginia Lake
• The Whanganui School of Glass will be directly funded with $60,000
• The Community Contracts budget has increased from $50,000 to $80,000
• $5000 towards the Physical Activity Programme
• Increasing tree mitigation hazard work by $50,000
• Increasing the range of CBD traffic parking to include areas of St Hill Street, Taupo Quay and Ingestre Street currently unmetered
• Adding $75,000 to the Council's growth strategy
• Reducing increased charges on the Durie Hill elevator
• Delaying the proposed Kowhai Park upgrade until agreed plans had been drawn up and community consultation completed
• Removing the Boxing Day Concert ("an idea that has not worked")
• Abolishing the funding to the Arts, Culture and Heritage Trust in favour of appointing a dedicated Arts Officer at the Council
• Confirming the reduced Museum budget by $60,000 to meet legal costs
• Adding $150,000 to rates to meet increased interest charges
• Adding $50,000 to the rates to meet Kiwisaver costs
• $200,000 on upgrading Council information and IT systems

Then, of course, there are footpath repairs and roading replacements, stormwater separation and a number of other things required to keep the district in good health.

All of this is provided with the lowest rates increase in the country, plus a reduced soft water levy of just $36 and a reduced storm levy of $40 (rural) and $35 (urban). The storm levy is a necessary and temporary levy to pay for the damage inflicted by the storm of 2006. The soft water levy will return an average $220 per year in reduced costs to the householder.

Mayor Laws said the budget changes went through "in just two and a half hours, and that there were only 60 submissions to the Draft Annual Plan, gives a strong message that Council is definitely on the right track".

Currently exhibiting at the Sarjeant Gallery
'Tylee Cottage: 21 Years'

An exhibition celebrating 21 years (1986-2007) of Artists-in-Residence at Tylee Cottage is on at the Sarjeant Gallery until July 22.

Pictured is Dennis Turner's B19.

Splash Centre learners' pool closure

The learners' pool at the Splash Centre will be closed from 3pm on Sunday, June 24, for approximately two weeks.

This is to enable work associated with the Splash Centre extension to be done.

If you have any queries, please contact the Splash Centre, phone 349 0113.

Wanganui Airport
Airport Terminal Refurbishment

Airport users, travellers and the general public are advised that preparatory work for the refurbishment of the Wanganui Airport Terminal is to commence on 1 July 2007.

The Terminal Refurbishment Project is anticipated to take from 10 to 12 weeks.

During this time café services will be suspended. However, passenger reception, processing services, rest and toilet facilities will be provided throughout the construction period.

This project is a major undertaking by the Airport Authority and will result in the Wanganui Airport being brought up to a standard reflective of current air travel facilities.

We regret any inconvenience, thank you for your understanding and co-operation, and look forward to providing you with improved services and facilities on completion.

Wanganui Airport Authority

Have your say on the
Draft Wanganui Positive Ageing Strategy

Wanganui District Council, in consultation with Wanganui's Older Peoples Forum, has developed the Draft Positive Ageing Strategy. We need your input to complete the process.

The Draft Positive Ageing Strategy is open for public comment from 15 June 2007 until 13 July 2007.

A copy of the Draft Positive Ageing Strategy is available:

• From the Customer Services Desk at the Council Building, 101 Guyton Street, or by phoning Customer Services on 349 0001.
• From the Wanganui Central City Library, Queens Park
• On this page
• By emailing us

You can provide comment 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
Email us
Print out the comment sheet (PDF 11KB), fill it in and return it to us

Please remember to include your name, contact details so that we may contact you if we require further clarification on what you have made comment on.

Proposed Trade Wastes Bylaw 2007
Have Your Say

The Wanganui District Council proposes to introduce a Trade Wastes Bylaw.

The Council has previously had a Trade Wastes Bylaw No 59 that was adopted in 1988 and this was scheduled for review in the 2006-2007 year. The primary reason for the proposed draft Bylaw is the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant providing biological treatment and ultraviolet disinfection.

Council has determined that the most appropriate way to address the management of discharges from trade wastes into the new wastewater treatment plant is by way of Bylaw in the proposed form.

Submissions may be made on the proposal.

Copies of the Proposed Trade Wastes Bylaw Statement of Proposal, a Summary of the Proposal and submission forms are available from the Customer Services desk at the Wanganui District Council Municipal Building, 101 Guyton Street, and at the Public Library, Queens Park, during normal opening hours. The documents are also available on this page, email us or telephone Customer Services on (06) 349 0001.

Submissions should be addressed to –

The Chief Executive
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Friday, 6 July 2007.

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:

Information Services Project Administration Officer
Applications close 24 June 2007

Property Information Officer
Applications close 25 June 2007

Property Administrator (part-time)
Applications close 8 July 2007

Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council Meeting – Monday, June 25 (4.00pm) (Council Chamber)
- The Council will consider the reports from all Committee meetings held in June.

Community Development – Tuesday, July 10

Hearings – Wednesday, July 11 (to be confirmed)

Finance and Administration – Thursday, July 12

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.