Issue No. 425 - 30 July 2009
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Issue No. 425 - 30 July 2009 |
Soft water for Wanganui by October
"Commissioning is going as scheduled with the new twin soft water bores, Abelard and Heloise, at Westmere," Mayor Laws said. The pipeline from the Abelard bore is pictured right. "We have been undertaking various tests with the bores and pumps. The next stage of commissioning at Abelard and Heloise bores will begin around mid-September. "Each water source has to go through a separate commissioning process and then comprehensive drinking water assessment as it is fed into the system, so it takes about eight weeks for each source.
Pipes damaged by hard water are pictured right. The new water sources will ensure reduced impact from loss of bulk supply if other bores fail. The current water sprinkler restrictions will remain the same, but there is reduced likelihood of full restrictions or higher level restrictions for long durations during dry summers or if other bores fail. "This project will mean a more secure water supply for Wanganui and will be compliant with the New Zealand drinking water standards," Mayor Laws said. "There are also outstanding benefits for households connected to the city supply, including cost savings of about $230 per year for the average household." Other benefits include:
To date, $1.8M has been spent of the $5.1M budget for the water softening project. How is the hardness of water measured? The hardness of water is affected by many factors including the precise mixture of minerals dissolved in the water, the water's pH and temperature. Therefore a single-number scale does not adequately describe hardness. The 10-Year Plan 2009-2019 indicates that the council will aim for a level of hardness of <150 parts per million of calcium carbonate equivalent for 2009/10 (the city supply currently sits at 180ppm – 200ppm). On average softening will be less than 150ppm calcium carbonate. After 2009/10 the consistency target is to achieve <100ppm and for the bulk of the year achieve 75ppm or less depending on demand. There are several different scales used to describe the hardness of water in different contexts. The council uses the New Zealand guidelines listed below. Wikipedia and associated references Guernsey Water Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality Management for New Zealand |
Durie Hill elevator 90 years old
Come along and take a ride in this unique and iconic part of Wanganui's and New Zealand's history. There are spot prizes to be won and visitors who ride the elevator up from the city will be rewarded with great views over Wanganui from the top of Durie Hill. The Durie Hill elevator runs from 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, and 10.00am to 5.00pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Charges apply. |
Talks at the Sarjeant Gallery
Ian Wedde talks about Bill Culbert Distinguished poet, fiction writer, editor, curator and critic Ian Wedde is the author of the forthcoming publication Bill Culbert Making Light Work. Ian will give an illustrated talk discussing the book project and Bill's practice. The talk coincides with the opening of the dome installation Bill Culbert: 180° x 2 Whanganui, opening at the gallery on August 1. Grace Cochrane Independent curator Grace Cochrane is one of Australasia's most distinguished and knowledgeable curators working in the field of craft and object. Grace will give an illustrated talk discussing two recent projects she has worked on. The first is a brief summary of the 2007 exhibition Smart works: designs and the handmade looking at the work of 40 Australian and New Zealand designers and makers. She will also touch on her current project, the forthcoming exhibition and publication White Gums and Ramoxes: ceramics by Merric and Arthur Boyd, from the Bundanon Trust Collection. Grace is in New Zealand with the support of Creative New Zealand whilst she is co-curating the proposed exhibition of glass artists Looking Glass: reflecting ideas at the Sarjeant Gallery from December 2009 – March 2010. |
Visitor Centre concepts: opportunity for feedback closes tomorrow
Members of the public have until tomorrow (Friday, July 31) to view the concepts for a new riverfront Visitor Centre and provide feedback to the council on the designs. A static display of the concepts, developed by three architects (Dalgleish Architects, DLA Architects and Void Architecture), is in the lobby of the War Memorial Hall until July 31. Forms are available at the display for people to provide feedback to the council about the concepts. Council will deliberate and make a decision on the preferred design at its meeting on August 31. View the designs on this page. |
Dog registration fees 2009/10
Prompt payment rebate reminder All dogs need to be registered with council, from three months old, when you first get the dog and on July 1 every year. Dog registration fees paid on or before 31 July 2009 receive a prompt payment rebate. If you haven't registered your dog yet do so before the end of the month and receive a $10.00 rebate on the 2009/10 fees. A full list of dog registration fees is available on page 2. |
Have your say
Draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan Our waste…..our challenge The Wanganui District Council has prepared a Draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan for this district in line with the requirements of the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. This draft plan intends to make environmentally sustainable practice easy, accessible, attractive, efficient and cost-effective. This should mean better services, better costs and better uptake. The draft plan envisions: 'A family friendly district where people have access to services that encourage individual and community responsibility for sustainable waste minimisation.' It sets a target of 60% reduction of waste to landfill by 2015. The draft plan supports the following key goals:
Council wants to hear what you think about its proposed efforts to improve waste management and minimisation services. You can do this by making a submission on the framework and strategies of the draft plan. Council will take your views into account when finalising the plan. Copies of the draft plan, the statement of proposal, the summary of the statement of proposal and submission forms are available:
Submissions close on Monday, 24 August 2009, at 4.00pm. Enquiries about the Draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan can be directed to Stephanie Rose, phone (06) 349 0001. |
Impact Fund 2009/10
For the purposes of this fund "significant economic impact or economic impact" is defined as a demonstrable and measurable impact/increase in visitor numbers and expenditure. If you are seeking "seed" funding for a new project/event or initiative,the term of the "seed funding" will be at the discretion of the Assessment Committee. This fund has traditionally attracted applications specifically for events. There is an intent this year to also seek applications for initiatives and projects focused on new economic opportunities. Wanganui District Council Impact Fund grant applications will be assessed in accordance with the following key considerations:
Applications close 5.00pm Monday, 3 August 2009. Application forms are available from the Wanganui District Council or on this page. For enquiries please contact Keith Smith, Wanganui District Council, phone (06) 349 0001, email Keith Smith. Wanganui Judo Club (pictured above) received money from the Impact Fund 2008/09 towards hosting the North Island Judo Championships in September 2008. |
NZ Geographic Board consultation on Wanganui spelling
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: Further information about the submissions process can be found on the NZ Geographic Board website at www.linz.govt.nz. |
Upcoming Council meetings
We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings Hearings Subcommittee of Council – Friday, July 31 (2.00pm) Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, August 5 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2) Hearing – Thursday, August 6 (9.30am, Committee Room 2) Community Development Committee – Tuesday, August 11 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. |
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Mayor Michael Laws is confident that a consistent flow of soft water should be available via the Wanganui city supply by October 1.
"Then we have to collectively commission all sources and complete system monitoring and adjustment. Full commissioning will take one year to allow for demand peaks and reprogramming controls. Regular flushing of the city system will be required on an ongoing basis for the year."
The Durie Hill elevator will be 90 years old on Sunday, 2 August 2009, with a day of celebrations planned.
Applications are now being accepted for projects, events and initiatives occurring between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010, that deliver significant economic benefits to the Wanganui city and district. $200,000 is available in the Impact Fund.