At the June 8 Council meeting, Mayor Michael Laws, councillors and senior council staff discussed and deliberated upon submissions to the council's draft 10-Year Plan 2009-19 and the 2009/10 Annual Plan. A number of amendments were made and the final plans unanimously approved.

For the 2009/10 financial year, an average rates increase of 3.2% was agreed.

The draft 10-Year Plan has been through a period of public consultation and 61 submissions were received. Referendum '09 extended the traditional public consultation process to give the Wanganui community the opportunity to have their say on key proposals in the draft plan, including which average rates increase they would like for 2009/10. The draft plan was based on a medium scenario of a 5% rates increase.

Mayor Michael Laws is pleased with the outcome of Monday's meeting.

"This is a great result for both council and the people of Wanganui and shows that council is listening. Through Referendum '09 the community was urged to have their say on a range of issues affecting Wanganui. Of the 19,000 people who voted, almost half wanted to see a 3% rates increase and that is what we have delivered.

"There were tough decisions to be made to reach this low increase and some items in the original draft plan have been revised. These include the proposed change to the way Cooks Gardens was funded through rates allocations and funding the relocation of the Visitor Information Centre over two financial years.

"Overall this is a great plan and reflects both the desires of the Wanganui community and our challenging economic times. It also maintains this council's track record of low rates increases over the past five years."

A final draft of the 10-Year Plan 2009-2019 will be prepared to incorporate the changes and will be adopted by council at its meeting on Tuesday, 30 June 2009.

Average rates increase by Wanganui District Council by year

Effect of rates increase 2009/10 by ratepayer category

The actual percentage increase will vary on a property by property basis.

Major changes from the draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019

• Increasing Community Contracts funding from $80,000 to $100,000 per year
• Allocating additional $80,000 annual funding for Cooks Gardens
• Moving the Cooks Gardens athletics track replacement forward from 2012/13 to 2010/11 financial year (total cost $370,000)
• Cooks Gardens funding to remain as per status quo, rather than loaded for commercial ratepayers
• Allocating $52,000 per year over 10 years for the development and operation of rural halls through the Rural Halls Community Trust
• Funding for Chas Poynter Drive – the airport entrance via upgraded Landguard Bluff
• Purchasing land in Putiki to support the Southern Entranceway project
• Moving forward replacement of Kowhai Park toilets to 2009/10 (total cost $250,000)
• Increased funding to support Wanganui in Bloom ($26,000 per year)
• Funding commitment for the Billy Webb regatta for next three years ($40,000 per year)
• Promotional costs to fund marketing and promotional campaigns for Wanganui have been included in the economic development budget

If you need some advice in these tough economic times, we can help. Read more (PDF, 252KB).

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.

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

Youth Committee – Monday, June 15
- Regional Youth Council Seminar; 'Young – the Life Of' Presentation; Youth Wage – Update; Treaty of Waitangi Training for Youth Councillors; Youth Services Activity Report; World March for Peace and Non-Violence; Project and Working Party Updates; Wotz Da Haps

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)

Council – Tuesday, June 30 (2.00pm)
- Adoption of 10-Year Plan 2009-2019

Community Development – Tuesday, June 30

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.