Public notice is hereby given in accordance with Clause 5 of the First Schedule of the Resource Management Act 1991 (The Act) that the Wanganui District Council has prepared Plan Change 15 to the Wanganui District Plan.

The Wanganui District Council notifies the Plan Change as follows:

Proposed Plan Change 15: Central City Heritage Protection

Proposed Plan Change 15 seeks to add buildings to the existing District Plan Appendix A Heritage Resources Inventory. This will protect the buildings from demolition, relocation or significant alteration.

Submission forms and copies of Plan Change 15 are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, at the Customer Services Counter, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, and at the District Library, Queens Park, Wanganui; and on this page.

Submissions relating to any aspect of the Plan Change should be in writing and on the prescribed form, which is available from Wanganui District Council or the District Library, and addressed to:

Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
101 Guyton Street
Wanganui

Or faxed to (06) 349 0000

The closing date for submissions is 5.00pm, Friday, 27 March 2009.

After the submission period has closed, the Council will prepare a summary of all decisions requested by the submissions. The Council will notify the availability of that summary and where the summary can be inspected. There is then an opportunity to make further submissions about any of the original submissions. The Council will then hold a Hearing to the submissions. All persons who make a submission or further submission and who requested to be heard will be advised of the date, time and place of the Hearing. The Council will then make decisions on the submissions and further submissions. Any submitter or further submitter may refer the decision on their submission to the Environment Court.

If you have any queries or require further information please contact Clive Aim at Wanganui District Council, phone (06) 349 0001 extension 8102.

The Council is undertaking a policy review of the management of the Wanganui War Memorial Hall and we are seeking public feedback. We encourage you to have your say.

The vision for the War Memorial Hall is to provide a high quality facility that caters for a range of community and commercial activities, while preserving our historic heritage.

The goals of the Wanganui War Memorial Draft Policy are:

• To promote the War Memorial Hall, and Concert Chamber within the hall, as a versatile community and conference venue.
• To ensure the accessibility of the War Memorial Hall complex for public use.
• To recognise and preserve the building's historic classification.
• To retain the building as a memorial to those who gave their lives for their country in World War II.
• To encourage optimal use of the hall to cater for a range of community and commercial events.

The draft policy covers:

• Facility management
• Parking
• Use and trading hours
• Charging
• General bookings

A key component of the draft policy is that the hall shall not be available for rental by transient, itinerant traders. The intention of this is to ensure our local businesses and economy are supported.

Copies of the draft Wanganui War Memorial Policy and feedback forms are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, at the Customer Service Desk at the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, phone (06) 349 0001, the District Library, Queens Park, Wanganui.

The consultation period closes on 13 March 2009 at 5.00pm.

Your feedback is welcomed and should be addressed to:
Wanganui District Council War Memorial Hall Draft Policy
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui 4540

Other methods of delivering your feedback:

• Deliver to the Customer Services desk at 101 Guyton Street
• Fax to the Council on (06) 349 0000
• Email us

Traffic signals not operating
St Hill Street – Ridgway Street
Wilson Street – Ingestre Street

(Contractor Strong Electrical Ltd)

The traffic signals at the following intersections will be switched off on the days shown:

St Hill Street - Ridgway Street on Thursday, 26 February and Friday, 27 February 2009.

Wilson Street – Ingestre Street for two days during the week of 2 March 2009.

This is to allow for the installation of new traffic signal controllers and associated works at these intersections.

Motorists are requested to take care whilst the traffic signals are not operating and to give way to traffic according to the road rules.

Pedestrians are requested to take special care as there will be no provision made to assist in crossing roads at the intersection whilst the traffic signals are not operating.

Pursuant to the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure) Regulations 1965, notice is hereby given that for the purpose of the Pakaitore Celebrations, the following road will be closed to ordinary vehicular traffic for the period indicated hereunder.

Road to be closed:
Taupo Quay from Bates Street to 1E Taupo Quay

Period or periods of closure:
Saturday, 28 February 2009, from 8.00am to 8.00pm

During the period of closure, the following provision will be made for ordinary vehicular traffic which would otherwise use Taupo Quay from Bates Street to 1E Taupo Quay:

Via Market Place and Bates Street

It will be an offence under the above regulations for any person otherwise than under authority of an authorised permit to use the road for ordinary vehicular traffic during the period of closure.

Wanganui Wastewater Separation Project
(Contractor Wanganui Drainage Contractors Ltd)

Swiss Avenue from Muir Street to 15 Swiss Avenue will be closed from 7.00am Thursday, 26 February 2009, until 5.00pm Wednesday, 18 March 2009, for the purpose of pipelaying.

Vehicle access to residential properties on the closed section will be available at all times unless advised by the contractor.

Road users are requested to follow the signposted detours whilst the closure is in operation.

Wanganui Wastewater Separation Project
(Contractor Wanganui Drainage Contractors Ltd)

Kings Avenue between Tawa Street and Cambridge Street will be closed until 5.00pm Friday, 6 March 2009, for the purpose of constructing new stormwater drains.

The work will involve closing access from Tawa Street and Bignell Street to Kings Avenue during the period of closure.

Tawa Street and Bignell Street will be opened up to Kings Avenue as work progresses past these streets.

Vehicle access to residential properties on the closed section will be available at all times unless advised by the contractor.

A signposted detour will not be provided.

The income threshold for rates rebate is $21,180 and the maximum allowable rebate is $530.

Eligibility for a rates rebate is determined by:

• the ratepayer's income for the previous tax year (year ended 31 March 2008)
• 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 2008 (this includes income from interest)
• your Wanganui District Council rates assessment for 2008/09
• your Horizons Regional Council rates assessment for 2008/09

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.

Notice is given under Section 28 (1) of the Local Electoral Act 2001 that electors of the Wanganui District Council have the right to demand a poll on the electoral system to be used for the 2010 triennial elections of the Wanganui District Council.

The Wanganui District Council resolved on 2 September 2008 to continue with the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system for the 2010 election, unless a poll determines otherwise. The Local Electoral Act 2001 provides for the choice between the First Past the Post (FPP) and Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral systems.

A valid demand for a poll must be:

• Made in writing.
• Signed by at least 5 percent of the number of electors enrolled as eligible to vote at the 2007 triennial election of the Wanganui District Council. This will require 1536 signatures of current electors.
• Delivered to the principal office of the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, by Saturday, 28 February 2009, but note that under section 35(6) of the Interpretation Act 1999, the final day on which poll demands can be received is 2 March 2009.

Section 30 (3) of the Local Electoral Act states that every elector who signs a demand must also set out their name and the address for which they are qualified as an elector of the Wanganui District Council.