This Saturday, September 15, Mayor Michael Laws will officially open the new boardwalk and the redeveloped Moutoa Quay area. Everyone is invited to celebrate the occasion down by the river in what will be a day of family fun, entertainment... and free ice cream for the children.

The construction of the riverbank walkway, which starts behind the Chronicle building and will eventually link up to the Whanganui River estuary, established a desire for a similar walking track closer to town to encourage people to use the riverfront as a recreational area.

Originally the combined Rotary Clubs took on the responsibility of a project planned for completion in February 2005 when Rotary would celebrate their centenary. They held a number of meetings to investigate the possibility of a piled boardwalk from the Town Bridge to Drews Avenue. The sheer scope of the project meant that Rotary eventually abdicated any practical involvement and Council took over the job.

As the result of a Mayoral initiative, Mark Southcombe was commissioned to provide plans for a more extensive project. This would include a cantilevered boardwalk on the riverbank from the Town Bridge all the way to the Waimarie and a general upgrade of the area to promote the development of cafés, markets and entertainment areas.

In Referendum '05 Wanganui people were asked to prioritise possible capital works projects. The redevelopment of the central city riverfront received the second highest ranking of all 14 items included in the referendum.

Work commenced in January 2007 to build a 300 metre boardwalk supported on a mixture of timber and steel piles and a cantilevered reinforced concrete substructure.

The rest of the area between the boardwalk and the existing buildings has been landscaped, planted and paved to enhance the natural beauty of the area.

This is the first stage of a rejuvenation of the Old Town quarter. The second stage is the development of the UCOL campus which is due to open at the start of the 2008 academic year. The Council has also given financial support to that project.

Saturday's ceremony is as much about reclaiming the river as a major recreational resource for the city as it is about constructing a boardwalk. It is intended as a celebration. The River Traders' Market will stay open longer, clowns will perform and a jazz band will provide extra entertainment. Mayor Laws has also invited every primary school in Wanganui to provide a representative to assist him in cutting the ribbon to officially open this free, accessible, attractive and family friendly amenity for the district.

The inaugural Wanganui Festival of Glass opens on September 14 at the Chronicle Glass Studio.

Glass on Mainstreet will inspire locals and visitors with a diverse display of glass by established and emerging Wanganui artists. The exhibition Hot Property at the Sarjeant Gallery will celebrate 20 years of art glass practice in Wanganui, featuring work by graduates from the Diploma in Glass Design and Production and the Quay School of the Arts' Bachelor of Fine Arts programme. Current students will exhibit their innovative glass works within the Alexander Library in Queens Park.

Artists will treat the public to hot glass demonstrations, and the more adventurous can enrol in short intensive glass workshops. A highlight of any trip to Wanganui is a visit to the Chronicle Glass Studio, where you can view the glass blowing process in action and purchase exquisite hand blown pieces on display.

The Festival runs from September 15-30 at various locations throughout Wanganui.

Programmes and more information are available from Wanganui i-SITE in Guyton Street, Energy Direct Glass Info Centre at 23 Victoria Avenue or by contacting Teresa Goodin on (06) 349 1863 or email Teresa Goodin.

Have your say
Draft Tree Policy

The Council has developed a draft tree policy for Wanganui District and we need your input.

Do you agree with different suburbs having a different planting theme? Should the Council enhance the city entrances with planting? Do you like the London Plane trees in the Avenue? Have your say!

Who to contact for a copy:
Carolyn McIntyre, Policy Planner, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, PO Box 637, Wanganui
Phone: 349 0001 extn 8024, Fax: 349 0000.
Or copies can be collected from the Wanganui District Library or the Council, 101 Guyton Street.

Submissions close Friday, 12 October 2007.

Public meeting
A public meeting will be held at the Council building (3rd floor), 101 Guyton Street, at 4.00pm on Wednesday, 26 September 2007, to discuss the draft policy.

Vacancies

Casual Rural Firefighters required for the 2007/08 season

The Wanganui District Council's Rural Fire Service requires enthusiastic people for the position of Casual Rural Firefighters.

Training to NZQA Unit Standards will be provided to all firefighters.

Applicants should have the following attributes:

• Be mentally and physically fit.
• Be able to be on 24-hour call and work rostered weekends.
• The ability to work under pressure.
• The ability to work in a team.
• A current driver's license or HT license would be an advantage.
• Previous experience in firefighting would be an advantage.

All applicants will be required to undergo a fitness test and security screening. Interested persons may leave their contact details or direct enquiries to:

Gwenda Prouse
NZ Fire Service
Wanganui
Phone 348 0103
Email Gwenda Prouse

or

Richard Terrey
Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer
Wanganui District Council
101 Guyton Street
Wanganui
Phone 349 0543 Extension 8070
Email Richard Terrey

Applications close at 4.00pm on Friday, 21 September 2007.

Council meetings

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Youth Committee – Monday, September 24 (Council Chamber)

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.