Exciting concepts for improving the southern entranceway to Wanganui, from the Marybank corner to Liffiton Street, featured at a Council workshop last week.

Praxis architect and planner Mark Southcombe presented the initial concept options he has developed for rejuvenating the southern entranceway to Wanganui.

The Council has identified the entranceway as a promotional impediment to the city and district and is looking at ways to improve the ambience of Wanganui utilising this well-travelled highway and route. In addition, the Council is seeking to attract more traffic into the CBD and town area from the state highway to further boost the local economy.

The Council has provided funding of $100,000 for the project in the current year's budget and the proposed budget for 2008/09 is $150,000.

The southern entranceway project is a collaborative venture between Wanganui District Council, Transit NZ and Praxis. Mr Southcombe will further develop the options and the concepts will eventually be available for public comment. No decisions have yet been made on which concepts will proceed.

The illustrations show one of the concepts developed for the area around Wikitoria Road and Putiki Drive. View concept design.

We want to find out about your vision for Wanganui's future.

You can have your say by answering a few simple questions on this page (submissions closed on 30 June 2008).

Or come along and talk to us at the River Traders Market on Saturday, June 7.

On 19 May 2008, the Council approved the Wanganui District Council Draft Arts Policy 2008 for public consultation.

The Council invites the public to provide feedback on the draft policy.

The objectives of the Wanganui District Council Arts Policy are:

1. To build Wanganui's profile as a centre of excellence for the arts through improved management, marketing and promotion of the arts.
2. To build creative capacity.
3. To maximise the tourism and economic potential that can be derived from the arts sector.
4. To improve access to and participation in arts activities.
5. Our built environment reflects our culture through the use of public art.

Consultation
Copies of the Wanganui District Council Draft Arts Policy and submission form are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, at the Customer Service Desk at the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street; District Library, Queens Park; Community Arts Centre, Taupo Quay, Wanganui. The consultation period will be from 5 June 2008 to 18 July 2008.

Submissions are welcomed and should be addressed to:

Wanganui District Council Draft Arts Policy
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 Friday, 18 July 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.

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 closed on Friday, May 2.

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.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council Meeting – Thursday, June 5 (1.00pm) (note change of time)
- Trade Waste Fees Report (confidential); Consideration of Public Submissions on the Draft Annual Plan 2008/09; Consideration of Public Submissions on the Proposed Amendment to the 10-Year Plan 2006-2016.

Community Development – Tuesday, June 10
- Murch Place/Purnell Street – Petition; Community Development Activity Report; Property Group Activity Report; Strategy and Development Activity Report; Graffiti Management Strategy – Application for Central Government Funding; Youth Committee – Receipt of Minutes; Iwi Liaison; Proposed Taylor Watt Plaque; Sustainable Living Programme; Recycling Facilities in Public Places Opportunities; Kowhai Park Redevelopment; Speed Limit – Mosston School.

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, June 17