Stepping Forward, a forum held recently for Wanganui youth, has provided valuable information for people working with youth.

Just over 100 youth participated in the two-day forum which included guest speakers, workshops and discussions.

Youth attended from City College, Cullinane College, Work and Income, Training for You, Ag Challenge, Wai Ora, Manaakitia, Yes to Youth, Wanganui High School, Girls' College and Wanganui Intermediate. Some youth councillors attended to get a better idea of youth views to help them as they make future decisions on their behalf. Workforce Development Youth Workers were also there.

Day one included a well-received address from Marcus Akuhata-Brown, a gifted communicator and motivational speaker who spoke of his own upbringing and his tendency to "muck around and be disrespectful". Marcus started to learn this was getting him nowhere. He didn't want to be nowhere in years to come so he had to take ownership of his life and do something about it... study in school, work hard after school, stay out of trouble and be good to people. Marcus also participated in workshops and chatted with youth throughout the day before leading a community discussion on youth development.

The Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Nanaia Mahuta, took a day off of Parliament to attend. She gave an impromptu speech to motivate the youth just before they broke off into their first workshop. She also stayed on to participate in workshops and chat with youth and joined in on the community discussion. Her visit also included a meeting with the members of the Council/Iwi Taskforce on Youth Wellbeing.

Three visitors from Toowoomba City Council, including the Community Development Officer and two youth councillors, attended and gave a presentation.

Day two kicked off with a motivational warm-up with kickboxing instructor Jamie Kawau.

Youth attended four workshops per day covering sexual health, drugs and alcohol, cultural awareness, social inclusion, community development, career transition, physical participation and law and rights. They were facilitated by professional community representatives. The purpose was to gauge what young people know, need to know or want to make Wanganui better for them to live in.

An area was also available for youth to graffiti/write up their names, thoughts and comments on graffiti and tagging in Wanganui. This was very popular and frequented by everyone. The feedback was excellent and will be considered in the development of graffiti education projects.

The Make It. Take It. steering group will be working on the results of the forum to help those working with youth effect change to improve their living in Wanganui and/or promote matters that young people need more information about.

Whanganui River Road ratepayers are invited to attend a meeting with Wanganui District Council and Wanganui Rural Community Board representatives to discuss the Whanganui River Road Separate Works Rate.

When: 6.00pm Monday, 28 April 2008
Where: Ranana Hall

The Separate Works Rate has been in place since 1990 and is currently targeted for the seal extension of Morikau Road at Ranana.

The meeting is to discuss whether ratepayers want to continue with the special rate, for how long, and the future use of the rate if it continues.

The Wanganui District Council has prepared its Draft Annual Plan 2008/09 – and now it's time for you to have your say.

The Draft Annual Plan is open for public submissions from 28 March 2008 until 2 May 2008.

A proposed amendment to the 10-Year Plan 2006-2016 is also open for public submissions.

Contact the Council's Customer Service Team or visit the District Library for copies of our Draft Annual Plan, 10-Year Plan amendment and submission forms. A summary of the Draft Annual Plan is being delivered to Wanganui District households this week.

The Maxwell Anzac Day Service will be held at the Maxwell Memorial at 9.30am on Friday, 25 April 2008.

If wet, the service will be held in the Maxwell Hall. An invitation to attend the service is extended to residents and the public.

Summary of Information

In accordance with Section 83(1)(a)(i) of the Local Government Act 2002 and the Gambling Act 2003, the Wanganui District Council gives notice of its intention to review the Gambling Venue Policy 2004. Submissions are now invited on the review.

Process
The review of the Wanganui District Council's Gambling Venue Policy 2004 will be publicly advertised and submissions invited from 17 April 2008 to 23 May 2008. The Wanganui District Council will hear submissions and determine the policy in June 2008.

Information
Further information relating to the Gambling Venue Policy 2004 is available from Customer Services, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui or may be obtained from Customer Services, Wanganui District Council, phone (06) 349 0001, fax (06) 349 0000 or email us.

Further information includes:

• Gambling Venue Policy 2004 – policy being reviewed
• Statement of Proposal – Gambling Venue Policy

Submission process
Submissions should be in writing and addressed to:

Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui
Attention: Stuart Hylton

To assist the submission and hearing process please endeavour when making a submission to –

• Refer to a specific point or rule within the Gambling Venue Policy 2004 (use heading references).
• State whether you support or oppose the specific point or rule.
• State clear reasoning for your decision.
• State what change, if any, you would like the Council to make.
• State whether you personally want to be heard in respect of your submission.
• Ensure your full contact details are supplied.

Submissions close on Friday, 23 May 2008.

The by-election for a new Wanganui District Councillor will be held in June.

A by-election is required following the resignation of Cr Marty Lindsay who is taking up a career opportunity in Australia.

Wanganui District Council Electoral Officer Noeline Moosman has set the by-election date for Saturday, June 21.

Nominations for candidates opened on Friday, April 4, and close at 12 noon on Friday, May 2. Nomination forms are available from the Electoral Officer.

Voting will be by postal voting. The voting period will be from Friday, 30 May 2008, to 12 noon Saturday, 21 June 2008.

More information is available on this page.

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.

Vacancy

Details of the following vacancy are available on this page:

Finance & Administration Technician
Applications close 25 April 2008

The following holiday arrangements will be observed by the Wanganui District Council during ANZAC Day 2008. For urgent matters, you can contact us at any time on (06) 349 0001.

Municipal Office Building
Closed ANZAC Day

Information Centre
Open 9.00am - 3.00pm

Sarjeant Gallery
Open 1.00pm - 4.30pm

Wanganui Inc
Closed ANZAC Day

Royal Wanganui Opera House
Closed ANZAC Day

Whanganui Regional Museum
Open 10.00am - 4.30pm

District Library Services
Closed ANZAC Day

Recycling
The 'SaveMart' Wanganui Recycling Centre in Peat Street, opposite the netball courts, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to take your cardboard, newspapers, plastic bottles, aluminium cans, steel cans and textiles. Free drop-off.

Attention is also drawn to the services listed in the Telephone Directory under "Wanganui District Council".

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council Extraordinary Meeting – Thursday, April 24 (4.00pm)
- Councillor Responsibility. Confidential: Review of Wanganui Gas Ltd.

Community Development – Tuesday, April 29
- Community Development Activity Report; Property Group Activity Report; Strategy and Development Activity Report; Bad Neighbour Bylaw; International Velodrome Events Centre; Review of Community Organisations Lease Policy; Draft Arts Policy; Graffiti Paint Bank; Iwi Liaison; Submission to Horizons Regional Council's Draft Annual Plan 2008/09; Submission to Draft New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement; Gilligan Close Walkway Update.

Hearings – Thursday, May 1 (2.00pm, Committee Room 2)
- Submissions to Trade Waste Bylaw.

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, May 6

Hearings – Thursday, May 15 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2) - to be confirmed.

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.