Community Patrols of New Zealand (CPNZ) is holding its national training seminar for 2009 in Wanganui on June 12-14.

So far 220 delegates have confirmed they will be attending, with registrations closing on June 5.

Mayor Michael Laws will welcome the delegates to Wanganui and there will be addresses by Justice Minister Hon. Simon Power, Volunteers Minister Hon. Tariana Turia, Police Commissioner Howard Broad, District Commander Superintendent Russell Gibson and Police Association President Greg O'Connor.

Delegates will participate in a number of workshops and hear about various crime and community-related topics. These include how Wanganui is working with youth (through Waiora Trust, YMCA and Life to the Max), Community Probation and Psychological Services, Life Education, drugs, community policing, Victims Unite, emergency services and Police intelligence. There will also be panel discussions, training sessions and opportunities to socialise.

CPNZ will hold its AGM on Sunday, June 14, and there will be a farewell to Wanganui from CPNZ Wanganui Patron, and Whanganui MP, Chester Borrows and Wanganui Area Commander Inspector Duncan MacLeod.

Members of Wanganui's Community Patrol who have been heavily involved in organising the national training seminar include Dorothy Symes, Pat Mitchell, Alison Paris, Warwick Laws, John Baxter and Don Patrick.

Public Notice
(Sec 83, 86,155 and 156 of the Local Government Act 2002)

On 9 May 2009 the Wanganui District Council (Prohibition of Gang Insignia) Act 2009 received its Royal assent through Parliament. This Act allows for Council to make a new bylaw - the Wanganui District Council (Prohibition of Gang Insignia) Bylaw 2009 (The Proposed Bylaw) which includes definitions of terms, specifies gangs and specifies public places where the display of gang insignia is prohibited at all times.

Submissions are now invited on the Proposed Wanganui District Council Prohibition of Gang Insignia Bylaw 2009.

Copies of the Proposed Bylaw, Statement of Proposal, Summary of Information and submission forms are available from the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, and at the District Library, Queens Park, during normal opening hours. These documents are also available on this page, by emailing us or by telephoning Customer Services on (06) 349 0001.

Submissions should be addressed to:

The Chief Executive
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Monday, 6 July 2009.

The Library has added another session to its weekly Tusitala programme for preschoolers. Read more (PDF, 295KB).

Arts organisations and artists in Wanganui have once again benefited from Creative Communities funding. In the last funding round, a total of $30,000 was distributed to 19 local organisations and individuals with applications covering visual and performing arts; a wide range of ages; different cultures; and both established and emerging artists.

The successful applicants were:

• Albert D Sword (10 charity musical concerts for the Wanganui community)
• Fijian Trinity Youth (concert for Fijian youth)
• Institute of Registered Music Teachers, Wanganui Branch (high achievers concert)
• Joanne Katrina Russ (exhibition of eight Wanganui photographers – theme 'Whanganui Community')
• Kate Livingston (exhibition of Wanganui artists)
• Riverain Trust (Whanganui music weekend, part of NZ Music Month)
• Wanganui Camera Club Incorporated (purchase of display boards for photographic exhibitions)
• Wanganui Community Arts Council Trust (Emerging artist project – 'Flying Start Exhibition')
• Wanganui Community Arts Council Trust (competition and exhibition - 'One Out of the Box')
• Wanganui Community Education Service (CES pottery material sponsorship)
• Wanganui Community Education Service (CES annual exhibition)
• Wanganui Competitions Society Inc (dance, speech and drama festivals)
• Wanganui Floral Art Group (floral art at the park at Virginia Lake)
• Wanganui Girls' College (portrait competition between secondary schools)
• Wanganui Opera Week (hosting and facilitating Wanganui Opera School week)
• Wanganui Potters Society (2-day workshop for potters)
• Wanganui Schola Sacra Choir (performance of Bach's St Johns Passion with the Wanganui Sinfonietta)

Money for Creative Communities is provided by Creative New Zealand and administered by Wanganui District Council. Projects seeking assistance must either increase participation in the arts at a local level, or increase the range and diversity of arts at a local level, or enhance and strengthen the local arts sector.

Local Assessment Committee for Creative Communities Scheme 2008
Cr Nicki Higgie, Sally Patrick (Community and Cultural Manager, WDC), Sharon Duff (Coordinator of Creative Communities, WDC), Emma Camden (Chamber of Commerce), Barbara Vine (Community Arts Council), Barney Haami (Iwi Representative), Joan Rosier-Jones (Wanganui Literary Society), Fred Loveridge (Musician/Music Teacher), John Richardson (Performing Arts)

Time is running out to apply for a rates rebate for the 2008/09 year. Applications close at the end of June.

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.

Wanganui District Council has prepared a Draft Reserve Management Plan for Virginia Lake and interested parties are invited to lodge written submissions.

The vision statement for Virginia Lake is that 'the reserve's outstanding scenic and park-like characteristics provide for the well-being and enjoyment of the people of Wanganui, and visitors to the District, while at the same time supporting a high value habitat for wildlife within the Wanganui urban area'.

The objectives of the Draft Reserve Management Plan relate to:

• Administration
• Landscape management and protection
• Wildlife management and protection
• Cultural resources/heritage
• Recreational access, use and activities
• Facilities, structures and paths
• Information, promotion and education
• Community relationships

The Draft Virginia Lake Reserve Management Plan may be inspected at the Wanganui District Council offices during normal office hours (8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday) or go to this page. Please contact Kathryn Barnes, phone (06) 349 0001 ext 8400, if you have any questions about the plan.

Any person may make a submission on the draft reserve management plan. You may do so by sending a written submission to the Virginia Lake Reserve Management Plan, Wanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Wanganui. Copies of the submission form are available from the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Submissions close at 4.00pm on Friday, 31 July 2009.

The NZ Geographic Board's formal consultation period for the proposed change of spelling from Wanganui to Whanganui is from 14 May 2009 to 17 August 2009.

Members of the public have three months to make submissions supporting or objecting to the proposed name change. If a person objects to the proposal, they can suggest an alternative proposal or support the existing name.

Written submissions can be made by email, fax or post and sent to:
Secretary for the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa
c/- Land Information New Zealand
160 Lambton Quay
Private Box 5501
Wellington 6145
New Zealand
Fax: (04) 460 0112
Email: nzgbsubmissions@linz.govt.nz

Further information about the submissions process can be found on the NZ Geographic Board website at www.linz.govt.nz.

Details of the following vacancy are available on this page:

Deputy Infrastructure Manager
Applications close 21 June 2009

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Thursday, June 4 (1.00pm)
- Hearing of 10-Year Plan Submissions.

Hearings Committee – Friday, June 5 (1.30pm, Committee Room 2)
- Resource Consent Application – Collegiate School Flood Lighting of Sports Facilities.

Council – Monday, June 8 (1.00pm)
- The Council will deliberate on submissions to the 10-Year Plan, consider the reports from Committee meetings held in May and Reports Direct to Council.

Youth Committee – Monday, June 15

Hearings Committee – Thursday, June 18 (3.00pm, Committee Room 2)
- Earthquake Prone Buildings Policy – Consideration of Submissions.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, June 24 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2)

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.