Mayor welcomes new citizens

On Friday, December 7, Mayor Michael Laws hosted a citizenship ceremony to present certificates to 34 new New Zealanders.

Along with the certificate of citizenship and a letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon Rick Barker, each new citizen received a gift pack containing a Wanganui badge, a pen, a key ring, a copy of the New Zealand national anthem, an official Wanganui Visitors Guide and a personal gift from the mayor in recognition of our national game.

Deputy Chief Executive Kevin Ross assisted Mayor Laws with the proceedings.

The ceremony started at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber and was followed by an afternoon tea for the new citizens and their guests.

Citizenship applicants and their original nationalities are:

Splash Centre extension

Most of the overseas product has arrived on site, including the floor resins and coatings from Australia and the mechanical plant from India. Still to arrive are the Italian tiles which are an essential component of the project. They are scheduled to arrive in Wanganui on January 7.

The hydroslide contractor has returned to the site to start the hydroslide columns.

The painting and internal carpentry continue and removal of formwork to the chlorine roof slab has started. The mechanical fit-out of the air handler continues.

Wastewater treatment plant

Surface scum on the aerated lagoon was 'stirred up' by boat movement to assist the aerators. The new blower turbines are on their way from the US to replace those working at less than full capacity.

Virginia Lake

The Solarbee circulator/aerator is on the lake and operating. Fourteen days trialling is needed to optimise depth and circulation location.

Two floating islands have been ordered and the proposed date for their installation is December 19.

A major detailed inlet/outlet and dispersion system is being designed to flush the lake with stormwater. The design should be completed by February and resource consents will then be applied for.

Information signs have been placed at the four entrances to the lake (Virginia Road, Brassey Road and the two Great North Road entrances). The signs explain the problem and remedial action being taken by Council.

Work is well under way on the urban footpath renewal programme for 2007/08, with a number of footpaths already completed.

The programme is scheduled to continue through until June 2008 and may vary during that time. Regular updates will be published in Community Link.

Footpaths

Work is programmed to be carried out on the following sections of footpath:

Kerb and channel renewal programme

Subsoil drains renewals

There will be a liquor ban in force this New Year's Eve at Mowhanau Beach.

The ban will be in place between 3.00pm on 31 December 2007 and 3.00am on 1 January 2008.

The general ban area includes the roads, domain and foreshore area within the Mowhanau Village starting outside the Mowhanau Community Hall.

More specifically it is the area bounded by the low water mark to the south-west; the Kai Iwi Stream to the north-west; the Mowhanau Stream to the south-east, including SO14957, SO18911, and Sec 71 of the Mowhanau Domain, including roadways and public thoroughfares of Sunset Parade, Waitangi Parade, Broadview Heights, Tangi Street and Mowhanau Drive up to a point adjacent to the entrance to the Mowhanau Hall.

Sprinkler restrictions

The public is advised that the sprinkler restrictions are as follows:

For sprinklers – even numbered houses can water on even numbered days and odd numbered houses can water on odd numbered days between 6pm and 10pm.

Hand-held hosing is allowed at any time.

To comply with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002, the Council will establish a Maori Committee. This committee will not replace the Tupoho and TamaUpoko Link working parties. The establishment of the Maori Committee provides a forum for all Maori residing within the Wanganui District Council's district.

The Council seeks wide representation from persons in the Maori community or people who reside within the Council's district who can represent Maori community groups. It is important for Council that the views of all Maori on issues affecting them are fully represented to Council.

Tangata whenua will be represented on the committee; however, the Council wants wide Maori community representation so that all views are considered.

For further information about serving on the Maori Committee contact Councillor Rangi Wills, phone (06) 348 8338.

Please register your interest by letter together with your CV, including two nominated referees, to:

Governance Services Manager
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui

Expressions of Interest close Friday, 8 February 2008.

Vacancies

Details about the following vacancies are available on this page:

Wastewater Operator
Applications close 16 December 2007

Policy Planner
Applications close 19 December 2007

Communications Officer
Applications close 13 January 2008

Resource Management Planner
No closing date

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Monday, December 17
- The Council will consider the reports from all Committee meetings held in November and December.

The meeting will be held at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui. (Please note change of time).

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.