The provision of parking in the Old Town area, which includes the new UCOL campus, will soon be up for discussion by the Council.

The area is located between Ridgway Street and the riverfront and flanked by Drews Avenue and Market Place (adjacent to Moutoa Gardens).

The Council has been reviewing traffic and parking in the area for some time and the completion of the UCOL development has given some certainty on viable options. During the March round of committee meetings, the Council will consider options for maximising car parking and improving traffic flow.

Options for consideration include:

1. Making Rutland Street one-way, with traffic flowing from Market Place to Drews Avenue. Cost $2000.
2. Making Rutland Street one-way, with traffic flowing from Drews Avenue to Market Place, and closing lower Market Place. Cost $40,000.
3. Making Rutland Street one-way, with traffic flowing from Market Place to Drews Avenue, and making Market Place one-way (direction Taupo Quay to Rutland Street). Cost $20,000.

Options 1 and 3 would provide about 20-25 additional parking spaces along Rutland Street. Option 2 would require the removal of some existing spaces so would negate any gains from providing new car parks. Option 3 would also remove the hazard of traffic turning from Market Place into Taupo Quay where there is poor visibility. View map (PDF, 222KB) of the area outlining Option 3.

Additional proposals include introducing a pay and display parking meter system along Rutland Street, Drews Avenue and Taupo Quay capable of being programmed for variable rates and maximum timeframes; providing additional 10 parking spaces in Bates Street; building traffic calming devices such as raised pedestrian crossings; more disability car parking; additional cycle racks along Moutoa Quay; and a motorcycle bay in Drews Avenue.

Later this year the Council will undertake a full urban transport strategy to address changes that have occurred throughout the city in the past 10 years. In particular, it will address issues such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, passenger transport and disabled access.

Parking charges in part of the central city and at Wanganui Airport are set to rise.

In April charges for metered parking in Victoria Avenue will increase from $1.50 to $2.00 an hour. This is comparable with the cost of inner city parking in Palmerston North.

The cost of all-day parking at Wanganui Airport will rise from $5.00 to $10.00 a day.

The increased charges are expected to generate an extra $100,000 a year in revenue for the Council.

It is not anticipated that the new charges will result in a significant change in demand for car parking. There was no noticeable change in use the last time parking charges were increased. However, it is expected that it will make it easier for motorists to find parks in Victoria Avenue during busy periods as people limit the length of time they occupy parking spaces.

The French Documentary Film Festival is coming to Wanganui next week.

The Sarjeant Gallery, French Embassy, Alliance Française and the Film Archive, supported by the Whanganui Regional Museum and Whanganui School of Design, present a season of critically acclaimed films from France's leading documentary film festivals.

Wanganui is one of 10 New Zealand venues joining 30 countries in a celebration of the increasing importance and recognition that documentary film making is currently receiving.

The screenings begin at 7.00pm each day (March 10-13) at the Davis Lecture Theatre, Watt Street. Admission is $5.00 and all films are subtitled. The festival programme is available from the Sarjeant Gallery or from the Sarjeant's website.

Bookings can be made through the Sarjeant Gallery, phone (06) 349 0506.

The Wanganui Community Patrol is looking for new recruits who want to help make Wanganui a safer place.

Currently there are about 50 people in the team but more volunteers are needed.

Community patrols act as 'eyes and ears' for the Police. Working in pairs, the patrol notes anything that could be suspicious. There are teams patrolling Wanganui's streets four nights a week and there are also daytime patrols.

Applicants are vetted by the Police before becoming patrol members and must complete a period of training where they work with those who are already trained.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please phone 349 0495, 345 3528 or 349 0600.

Wanganui residents need to continue their efforts to use less water and the sprinkler restrictions remain in place.

Sprinklers can be used between 7pm and 9pm on the odds and evens system (odd numbered houses can use sprinklers on odd numbered days of the week; even numbered houses on even days).

People need to be sensible and still conserve water where possible.

Applications are now being accepted for activities occurring between July 2008 and June 2009.

Wanganui Incorporated Impact Fund grant applications will be assessed and allocated to projects, events and initiatives that deliver significant economic benefits to the Wanganui City and Region. Funding availability is conditional upon Wanganui District Council 2008/2009 Annual Plan approval.

Enquiries can be made to: Wanganui Inc, phone (06) 349 0380, info@wanganuiinc.com or application forms are available online.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Friday, 2 May 2008.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Tuesday, March 11 (4.00pm)
- Approve Draft 2008/09 Annual Plan for consultation.

Hearings – Thursday, March 13
- Submissions to Dog Control Policy 2004 Review.

Community Development - Tuesday, March 18

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, March 25

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 3.00pm 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.