Issue No. 338 - 22 November 2007
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Issue No. 338 - 22 November 2007 |
Virginia Lake restoration update
Next week will see Council staff working to remove Yellow Flag Iris and, with it, stagnant areas that encourage the growth of blue-green algae. The iris is particularly invasive and has established itself over large areas of shallows, choking waterways and inhibiting natural water circulation. Fallen willow trees will also be removed for similar reasons. Care will be taken to ensure nesting spots are left undisturbed. The photo shows a stagnant area amongst Yellow Flag Iris. Coming soon from the USA is a device called the Solarbee. With a price tag of $100,000, this solar powered machine disrupts the blue-green algae's habitat by circulating and oxygenating the water. The Solarbee has been ordered and should be on the lake and operational in December. The model to be used here (the SB 10000) has proved particularly effective on large lakes. Virginia Lake contains approximately 540 million litres in an area of 4.5 hectares. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 25 metres. Amongst other measures taking place in 2008 will be a fish study. Council will investigate the use of filter feeder fish such as silver carp and freshwater mussels to help control the algae. This study will include a survey of existing fish stock and their place in the lake's ecology. |
Graffiti – the writing's on the wall
The Council has declared war on graffiti. A strategy is being developed to support a zero tolerance for graffiti in Wanganui, with three key aspects:
The Council is consulting with key people and organisations in the community and will develop a draft strategy, policy, procedures and costings. These will be considered at the Council's meeting in December. The community will have the opportunity to comment on the draft strategy in 2008. The photo shows John Campbell removing graffiti for the Port Bowen Trust. |
Barbecues at Castlecliff Beach
Brian Maude, President of the Wanganui Beach Society and the Port Bowen Trust, says the three barbecues in the playground at Castlecliff Beach should encourage families to use the area more often. He says a family barbecue down by the beach should be an ideal way to spend a summer evening. The gas barbecues were imported from Australia and paid for by the Port Bowen Trust, a funding body set up to assist with the maintenance of the beach. Kevin Shotter (pictured), of the Beach Society, said that they are looking at upgrading the picnic tables and creating a large open space, free of playground furniture, for family games of touch rugby or the like. The playground presently contains a huge skateboard rink, swings, a flying fox, a tubular slide, the barbecues, picnic tables and other playground equipment. |
Notice of By-Elections to Fill Two Extra-Ordinary Vacancies
Nomination of Candidates and Closing Date for Nominations Under sections 52 and 53 of the Local Electoral Act 2001, I hereby give notice that on Saturday, 16 February 2008, the following elections will be held under the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system by postal vote:
Nominations Each candidate must be nominated on the appropriate nomination paper obtainable from the Electoral Officer, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and must be accompanied by a deposit of $200 GST inclusive, which may be paid by cash, cheque (made out to Wanganui District Council) or EFTPOS. A candidate may submit a candidate profile statement with their nomination paper for sending out with the voting documents to electors. An attachment to the nomination paper outlines the rules and procedures governing candidate profile statements. Preliminary Electoral Roll
The preliminary electoral roll closes on Friday, 21 December 2007, at 4:00pm. Persons may enrol or amend their enrolment details by:
Applications for registration as a ratepayer elector are to be in the form prescribed by the Local Electoral Regulations 2001 available from the Council Office, and are required to be forwarded to the Electoral Officer, Wanganui District Council, prior to the closing of the roll. Following closure of the roll, the Electoral Officer may, on application of any person who is or claims to be entitled to be enrolled or any other person or otherwise, make any necessary corrections to the names, addresses, occupations, abbreviations, or marks appearing in the electoral roll. Voting Period Dated at Wanganui 21 November 2007 |
Vacancies Details about the following vacancies are available on this page: Property Nucleus/GIS Officer Customer Services Advocate |
Council meetings
We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings Community and Environment – Thursday, November 22 Harbour – Monday, November 26 (3.00pm) Infrastructure – Monday, November 26 (immediately following Harbour Committee meeting) Heritage – Tuesday, November 27 Maori – Thursday, November 29 Youth – Friday, November 30 Strategy – Tuesday, December 4 (Council Chamber) Sport and Recreation – Thursday, December 6 (1.00pm) Hearings – Monday, December 10 to Friday, December 14 (9.00am to 5.00pm) Jubilee Room, 1st Floor, Grand Hotel, Guyton Street 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. |
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The work to rebalance the ecosystem of Virginia Lake has begun.
While the problem is not new, the Council and the community are concerned about the increasing amount of graffiti vandalism in the district. Most of it is simply 'tagging'; the equivalent of an animal spraying its territorial boundaries. Usually devoid of artistic merit, these paint scribbles are the taggers' signatures and are a huge problem. While most graffiti is removed or painted over quickly, the problem is ongoing and very costly.