Recreational users are advised of potential health risks arising from the discharge of wastewater to the Whanganui River.

Under the coastal permits issued for the wastewater project, the Council is required to regularly inform the public of these potential risks.

At present, the existing combined sewer and stormwater system may overflow and discharge wastewater into the Whanganui River during periods of rain. However, this overflow will be eliminated progressively as sewage is removed from stormwater systems on both private and public property throughout urban Wanganui.

Property owners are reminded that the deadline to comply was 1 July 2007. All sewage must leave their property in a separate pipe that contains no stormwater.

For further information, please contact the Separation Hotline, phone 349 0001.

Carlton Avenue between Heads Road and Koromiko Road will only be open to traffic entering Carlton Avenue from Heads Road (one way system).

Smithfield Road remains closed from No.23 Smithfield Road to Moore Avenue. Access for residents will still be available.

Works will begin in Kawatiri Avenue (at the Carlton Avenue end) from Monday, February 18. The road will remain open to traffic until the end of the week. The road will then close for three weeks. Access for residents will still be available.

Wanganui Wastewater Separation Project
(Contractor Wanganui Drainage Contractors Ltd)

Kawatiri Avenue between Carlton Avenue and Dustin Street will be closed from 7.00am Thursday, 21 February 2008, to 7.00pm Friday, 7 March 2008, for the purpose of installing a stormwater drain.

Vehicle access to properties along the closed section will be available at all times.

A signposted detour will only be provided for traffic from the Dustin Street end.

Wanganui Wastewater Separation Project
(Contractor B Bullock & Co Ltd)

Smithfield Road between No. 23 Smithfield Road and Moore Avenue will be closed until 7.00pm Friday, 21 March 2008, for the purpose of constructing a new sanitary sewer drain.

This closure does not affect Smithfield Road from Carlton Avenue to No. 23 Smithfield Road.

Vehicle access to properties along the closed section will be available at all times.

A signposted detour will not be provided.

Pursuant to the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977 Section 22, and the District Council Bylaws, notice is given that the lighting of fires in the open air in the Wanganui District is prohibited as from midnight Saturday, 26 January 2008.

The prohibition applies to all of the Wanganui District Council area. The prohibition also includes all urban areas.

And further that this prohibition remains in force until further notice.

Exceptions – the following activities are permitted:

Barbecues lit in properly constructed containers and fuelled with gas.

Council approved incinerators. Only approved incinerators in the urban area may be lit from sunrise to midday.

All existing permits are now cancelled. Applications for special permits should be made to the New Zealand Fire Service (06) 348 0103. Special permits may be granted on case-by-case bases only.

Provided:

That no such fires shall be lit when strong or gusty winds are prevailing.

In all cases a person lighting a fire within the bounds of these exceptions shall remain in attendance at the fire until it is fully extinguished; and any other conditions deemed necessary by the Rural Fire Officer.

It shall be no legal defence against claims for damage caused by any fire that such fire was of the type or lit at the time permitted by this notice.

Kevin Smith
Principal Rural Fire Officer
Wanganui District Council

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.

Due to major refurbishment in the plant room, the lift will be out of action until 28 February 2008.