Mayor Michael Laws will officially open the Gonville Café Library on Monday, August 31, at 1.00pm.

Invited guests will join Mayor Michael at the innovative and ground-breaking Café Library, housed in the Gonville Centre in Abbot Street.

The new library offers all the services of the Davis Library (just on a smaller scale) as well as a few extras. Visitors will be able to enjoy high quality coffee and food while they browse for books, magazines and DVDs. The collection of books on health, sustainable living and 'eco' practices is amongst the best in New Zealand.

Gonville Café Library contains all of the traditional collections but books are housed in custom created displays, giving a 'book shop' feel. There are also four free-to-use computers with internet access via the Aotearoa Peoples Network and free wireless internet access.

Creating the Café Library in the Gonville Centre, which also includes a health practice and a community meeting room, places the library service in the centre of the local community and will offer an informal relaxed atmosphere in which to access the full range of library services on offer.

Following the official opening ceremony, Gonville Café Library will be open to the community. Opening hours will be Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.00pm.

Wanganui District Council is leading the way in the BIZ Information service provided by agencies throughout New Zealand.

The Council scored 100% in each of 34 areas that comprised a recent 'mystery shopper' assessment of the service. The service assists New Zealand businesses that want information on setting up and provides information or referrals if they have concerns or need help.

The BIZ service is contracted through WINC and the assessment included contact with Council's economic development and customer services staff.

The assessment is of 34 individual components of the service, ranging from how someone is greeted through to the information provided. BIZ have strict standards in all areas and each is graded. In all 34 areas Council received a grading of 100%, giving an overall assessment of 100%.

Twenty-nine offices throughout New Zealand were assessed and Wanganui District Council was one of only eight who scored 100%, and met all standards pertaining to information provided, as well as personal contact standards. It was a great team effort by our staff.

This new exhibition features images of unease from the Gallery's collection. It includes work by Bill Hammond, Edward Burne–Jones, Jeffrey Harris, Tony Fomison, Walden Tucker and Warren Viscoe.

The exhibition is on at the Sarjeant until October 25. The Gallery is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm every day.

Pictured is Ring Her Name with Roses by Jeffrey Harris.

A draft Visitor Strategy, developed by the Image and Promotion Working Party, is open to the public for feedback. The Visitor Strategy aims to improve perceptions of Wanganui and position Wanganui as an attractive prospect for visitors, business development and enhanced lifestyle opportunities.

Copies of the draft strategy and submission forms are available from the Customer Services Counter, Wanganui District Council Office at 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui; Wanganui District Library, Queens Park; and on this page.

Submissions close on Friday, 11 September 2009, at 4.00pm.

Public notice is hereby given in accordance with Sections 78, 82, 83 and 89 of the Local Government Act 2002, that the Wanganui District Council is proposing to rename Airport Road and Landguard Road to Chas Poynter Drive.

The Council has, by resolution, determined that renaming Airport Road and Landguard Road to Chas Poynter Drive is an appropriate way to recognise the contribution made to the Wanganui District by the late Chas Poynter, Mayor of Wanganui from 1986 to 2004.

Submissions are now invited on the proposed name change. Submission forms are available:

• from the Wanganui District Council offices at 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
• from the Wanganui District Library, Queens Park
• by phoning the Council offices on (06) 349 0001
• and on this page

Submissions relating to any aspect of the proposed renaming should be made in writing, and addressed to:
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
101 Guyton Street
Wanganui
or
faxed to (06) 349 0000

Submissions close on Monday, 28 September 2009, at 5.00pm.

At the close of the submission period Council will prepare a summary of submissions and will notify the availability of that summary and where the summary can be inspected. If necessary the Council will then hold a public hearing to provide the opportunity for submitters to address the Council. Persons who have made a submission and who have requested to be heard will be advised of the date, time and place of the hearing. Following the hearing Council will make its decision on whether the proposed name change of Airport Road and Landguard Road to Chas Poynter Drive will proceed.

Enquiries about the proposed name change can be directed to Dave Wan, phone (06) 349 0001 ext 8016.

Details of the following vacancy are available on this page:

Stormwater Compliance Officer
Applications close 7 September 2009

Wot do Wgi yth hv 2 say? Wanganui District Council wants to know, and it wants to know by text.

The Council is trialling Communitxt - an innovative system pioneered by former Wanganui resident and now Fried Marketing director Adam Hutchinson - in an effort to better engage its community, particularly younger residents.

The challenge for Wanganui's young people, then, is to put their texting fingers to use and text in their perceptions of Wanganui.

Young people between the ages of 12 and 24 are encouraged to text their views on Wanganui – their likes, dislikes and ideas for improvement – to 4882 right now.

Text 'Wanganui' then leave a space, include your age and then your comment.

Standard text messaging rates will apply.

Youth Committee information

Youth Wanganui website

The income threshold for rates rebate is $21,910 and the maximum allowable rebate is $550.

However, if your income exceeds $21,910 you could still be entitled to a rebate depending on the total cost of your rates and the number of dependents.

Eligibility for a rates rebate is determined by:

• the ratepayer's income for the previous tax year (year ended 31 March 2009)
• 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 2009 (this includes income from interest)
• your Wanganui District Council rates assessment for 2009/10
• your Horizons Regional Council rates assessment for 2009/10

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.

A meeting to discuss Sister Cities activity between Wanganui and Toowoomba, Queensland, and Nagaizumi-cho, Japan, will be held at 4.00pm on Wednesday, 2 September 2009 in the Wanganui District Council Chambers, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Noel Irving, Chairman, Sister Cities Wanganui, and Councillor Ray Stevens, Chairman, Community Development Committee, will be present.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Wanganui District Councils' Forestry Joint Committee – Thursday, August 27 (Committee Room 2)

Council meeting – Monday, August 31
- The Council will consider reports from Committee meetings held in August 2009, along with Reports Direct to Council.

Youth – Monday, September 7 (Duncan Pavilion, Castlecliff, 4.00pm)

Hearings – Thursday, September 10 (Committee Room 2)

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, September 16 (Committee Room 2, 4.00pm)

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.