Council's debt well under control

Yet again – our Wanganui Council is leading the country!

A new Fiscal Responsibility Policy was passed unanimously at the full meeting of Council on Monday afternoon. This is the first time that a territorial authority has taken up the principles of the Public Finance Act 1989 and applied it to local government.

While no other territorial authority has such a policy, Wanganui has decided to take the lead. It is the final part of the "opening the books" policy that the Council has adopted.

Council will ensure that all fiscal and debt projections contained in the Annual Plan and the Ten Year Plan are reviewed in the weeks leading up to the election. This will ensure that all political aspirants and the public are fully informed.

Mayor Michael Laws said that he did not want a repeat of 2004 when the new Council took office to find that most of the financial projections contained in the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) were "worthless".

Under the Fiscal Responsibility Policy the Council will make public the following:

• Latest debt predictions
• Forward debt predictions over the next decade
• Any financial information that differed from the Annual Plan and Ten Year Plan which may affect future Council direction.

The Council's public debt is relatively modest compared with other territorial authorities of a similar size. This is despite the $118 million wastewater and stormwater project nearing its completion.

A summary of the tables (available here - PDF format, 288KB) will be included in the 'Opening of the Books'. They show the Council's current debt and comparisons with previous LTCCP projections and other councils.

Community Outcomes Monitoring Report

In 2003 Council facilitated the identification of Wanganui's Community Outcomes. This was a large undertaking with 89 public meetings held over two months and ultimately resulted in the development of seven outcome priority areas:

1. A growing economy
2. Diverse and quality educational opportunities
3. A safe and healthy community
4. Recognition as a great place to live and visit
5. Development of amenities and recreational opportunities
6. Development of the full cultural and environmental potential of the Whanganui River
7. People working together

Since this time, Council and other key community stakeholders have been working towards the achievement of these Outcomes in accordance with self-identified action plans. Council is required to report on this progress and the first Community Outcomes Monitoring Report is now available. This aims to:

• Relay the efforts of Council and other community organisations in their attempts to meet the Community Outcomes;
• Measure the state of Wanganui's current social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing; and
• Forecast planned projects and priorities that may impact on Community Outcomes into the future.

The report is available here (PDF format, 504KB) or by contacting the Council on 349 0001.

Bason Botanic Gardens

Due to resurfacing of the floors in the toilet blocks, there will only be limited toilet facilities available for public use until Monday, 2 July 2007.

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 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.

Vacancies

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

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

Cafe Staff - Wanganui Airport
Applications close 24 July 2007

Financial Accountant
Applications close 26 July 2007

Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Community Development – Tuesday, July 10

Hearings – Wednesday, July 11 (2.00pm)
- Objection to Dangerous Dog Classification: section 31(3) Dog Control Act 1996; Objection to Menacing Dog Classification: section 33B Dog Control Act 1996.

Finance and Administration – Thursday, July 12

Infrastructure – Monday, July 16

Strategy – Tuesday, July 17 (Council Chamber)

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Thursday, July 19

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.