Wanganui residents are being urged to continue to limit their use of water as the hot, dry weather persists.

The Council has imposed a ban on the use of garden sprinklers. This includes fixed irrigation systems.

Due to the sustained spell of dry and hot weather that the district is experiencing, the Council has been monitoring the level of the city reservoirs closely in recent weeks and an alternate day sprinkler plan had been in place. However, the city has been using more water than the pumping system capacity and the storage buffer dropping. Current levels of water use are not sustainable and no significant rain is forecast in the near future.

The sprinkler ban will remain in place until further notice and residents are encouraged to save water in other ways as well.

Do not store water in the bath or containers because this worsens the problem. The key is to use as little water as possible to give the reservoirs a chance to recover.

How to save water

• Use less water – do not store it.
• Flush toilets less frequently and use the half-flush button (if fitted).
• Take short showers or shallow baths.
• Don't wash cars, houses etc.
• Don't run the tap while brushing your teeth.
• Fix leaking taps and other leaks.
• Don't wash your vegetables under a running tap.
• Use cold water in your jugs and pots. You waste water running the tap until hot water comes out.
• Put a bucket in the shower to capture the water until it starts running hot.
• Wash only full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher.
• Use bath/washing water on your garden.

Three of New Zealand's top acts will perform in the More FM Winery Tour concert at Cooks Gardens on Tuesday, February 12.

The line-up includes Anika Moa, Goldenhorse and Brooke Fraser who will take the stage in a picnic-like atmosphere.

The gates open at 5pm with Anika Moa playing from 7pm, Goldenhorse from 8pm and Brooke Fraser from 9pm.

Admission to the concert is free for under 15-year-olds and tickets for those over 15 are available from the Royal Wanganui Opera House or through Ticketek and Ticket Direct.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the concert will go ahead, rain or shine. There will be food and fully licensed beverage stalls on site. You may bring your own food and bottled water but no alcohol, glass, professional cameras or recording devices.

So buy your ticket, bring your deckchair and don't miss this chance to see home-grown artists with international reputations playing right here in Wanganui.

Glass artists in Wanganui for conference

Wanganui is hosting the National Glass Conference from February 8-10.

The Biennial Conference of the New Zealand Society of Artists in Glass will be one of the most pivotal discussions in providing creative solutions to the future of glass practice and education in New Zealand.

The Council’s Chief Executive, David Warburton, who is also Chair or the Wanganui Glass School Working Party, will give a presentation on the future of the new Wanganui Glass School.

Other speakers include Ryoji Shibuya, Chief Professor of the Toyama City Institute of Glass Art (Japan); Kirstie Rea, Creative Director of Canberra Glassworks (Australia); Tim Walker, Director of New Dowse Museum (Hutt City); and artists Jonathan Baskett (Australia), Angela Jarman (England), James Walker (Wairoa) and Jim Dennison and Leanne Williams (Martinborough).

As well as the conference, there will be a trade fair at the War Memorial Hall on Saturday and Sunday, exhibitions and social events for members and guests.

Youth Committee applications invited

Information on how to apply to be part of the 2008 Youth Committee is available here (PDF, 95KB).

The Council has imposed an immediate sprinkler ban as a result of water demand exceeding supply, due to the sustained spell of dry and hot weather that the district is experiencing.

The Council has been monitoring the situation closely in recent weeks and an alternate day sprinkler plan had been in place. However, the city is now using more water than the pumping system capacity and the storage buffer is dropping. Current levels of water use are not sustainable.

The ban will remain in place until further notice.

On 17 December 2007, the Wanganui District Council approved the Draft Graffiti Management Strategy and Policy for public consultation.

The Council invites the public to provide feedback on the Draft Strategy and Policy. The Council is particularly interested in the community's view on whether education, as a preventative method, should form part of the Strategy and/or Council policy. Education methods may include talking to offenders, working in schools, art/mural programmes, working with youth networks etc.

The objective of the Draft Strategy is to remove graffiti from public and private property, particularly in highly visible areas.

The Draft Strategy is based on a three tier approach:

1. Eradication – to ensure graffiti is removed as quickly as possible
2. Enforcement – to increase penalties, reporting and notifications
3. Prevention – to prevent the likelihood of graffiti occurring

Consultation
Copies of the Draft Graffiti Management Strategy and Policy and submission forms are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, at the Customer Service Desk at the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, and at the District Library, Queens Park, Wanganui. The consultation period will be from 23 January 2008 to 25 February 2008.

Submissions are welcomed and should be addressed to:

Draft Graffiti Management Strategy
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui 4540

or delivered to our Customer Services Desk at 101 Guyton Street, faxed to (06) 349 0000, or emailed to us.

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Monday, 25 February 2008.

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Marie Gorinski at the District Council, telephone (06) 349 0001 extension 8066 or email Marie Gorinski.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Youth – Monday, February 11 (Council Chamber)
- United Nations Conference Report; International Women's Day Festival – 'Shaping Progress'; Family Violence Campaign; Events Subcommittee Report; Youth Project Co-ordinator's Report; Ministry of Health Smoke-free Submission; Graffiti Management Strategy; Community Outcomes – Creating Wanganui's Future Together; Presentation to Retiring Youth Councillors; 2008 Youth Committee Application and Selection Process.

Strategy – Thursday, February 14 (Council Chamber)

Strategy – Monday, February 18 (Council Chamber)
- Consideration of Proposed Draft 2008/09 Annual Plan.

Hearings – Tuesday, February 19 (1pm)
- Dog Classifications.

Council – Monday, February 25 (Council Chamber)
- The Council will consider reports from all Committee meetings held in February.

Unless otherwise noted, these meetings are held at 4.00pm in the Council Chamber, 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.