Former Wanganui mayor Chas Poynter has died after a long illness. He was 68.

Chas Poynter was mayor of Wanganui from 1986-2004 having previously served as a city councillor since 1977, and as deputy mayor from 1983 to 1986. He was awarded freedom of the City of Wanganui in 2004.

Mr Poynter achieved national prominence for his no-nonsense leadership of the city during the Moutoa Gardens occupation of 1995. He also presided over the rejuvenation of the central business district (Mainstreet) and initiated the $100 million-plus stormwater and wastewater separation project.

Chas Poynter was a widely liked leader who took an active interest in every aspect of the Wanganui community.

Mayor Michael Laws and the Council extend their sympathies to his family. There will be a full civic representation at his funeral.

Mr Poynter was awarded the Queen's Service Order for public service in 1992 and was involved with a wide range of community groups and organisations.

Steelform Wanganui's big win over East Coast in Saturday's AA Rewards Heartland Championship opener hopefully bodes well for the rest of the season.

Wanganui beat East Coast 28-0 at Cooks Gardens with tries by Mitieli Dravo, Juan Visser, Logan Vaughan and Pihera Huwyler, a penalty by Leon Mason and a penalty conversion by Denning Tyrell.

A crowd of more than 900 people braved the showery conditions to watch the teams battle it out on the heavy, slippery Cooks Gardens turf. Wanganui played well and, if conditions were dry, possibly could have won by a more significant margin.

This Saturday is an 'away' game against Buller in Westport. Informed opinion suggests that Steelform Wanganui should win easily.

The new outdoor theme area of the Winter Gardens at Virginia Lake will be opened at 3.30pm today.

Entitled 'Looking at you looking at me', the area is a combination of artworks, planting and furniture, and is the fourth theme garden that has been created in the outdoor space of the Winter Gardens since 2000. Designed by Wendy McGhie, Wanganui District Council Senior Parks Officer, and contractor Nicola McDowell, the area has been transformed with the help of the Community Projects Team, led by Mike Tyson, and seven Whanganui UCOL students under the guidance of Brit Bunkley and Lionel Teer.

The features combine ingredients of fine arts, fashion design and creative technology to create a most unusual and interesting space.

In keeping with the theme title there are faces everywhere, in metal and wood, photographed and sculpted, painted and plain, looking at you looking at them from all angles, high and low.

Wendy McGhie said that as a lot of children visit the Winter Gardens there had to be elements of fun and the artworks and structures all had to be robust and safe.

Wheelchair access will also be installed later this year.

Wanganui District Council's Rural Community Board and Horizons Regional Council invite the Upokongaro community to a presentation by Horizons Regional Council to update progress on the Upokongaro Jetty area.

The presentation will be held at the Avoca Hotel on Tuesday, August 28, at 5.45pm.

We would like to thank the staff at the Avoca Hotel for the use of their facilities for this presentation.

The income threshold for rates rebate is now $20,000 and the maximum allowable rebate is $500.

Eligibility for a rates rebate is determined by:

• the ratepayer's income for the previous tax year (year ended 31 March 2007)
• the amount of rates (both Wanganui District Council & Horizons Regional Council)
• the number of dependents.

To assist you with your application, please bring in the following:

• evidence of all gross income for the tax year ended 31 March 2007 (this includes income from interest)
• your Wanganui District Council rates assessment for 2007/08
• your Horizons Regional Council rates assessment for 2007/08

Ratepayers need to apply to the Wanganui District Council for a rates rebate. Those who are eligible will then either have their rates reduced by the amount of the rebate, or receive a refund if the rates have been paid in full for the year. The Department of Internal Affairs reimburses the Council from Crown funds.

Vacancy

Details of the following vacancy are available on this page:

Executive Assistant (Fixed Term)
Applications close 2 September 2007

Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council Meeting – Monday, August 27 (Council Chamber)
- The Council will consider the reports from all Committee meetings held in August.

Hearings – Wednesday, September 5 (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.