Wanganui District Council invites expressions of interest to lease and operate the new café to be built at 31 Taupo Quay, Wanganui.

The premises of 97sqm of superb space will have extensive outdoor seating along Drews Avenue and views over the river. The Council is seeking an experienced operator offering a quality café proposal.

Interested parties should contact the following real estate agents before 28 February 2010:

Professionals: John Reid phone 027 2236650
Property Brokers: Bernie Hills phone 021 924155
Bayleys: Bob Davies phone 021 803744

Pursuant to the Forest and Rural Fire Acts 1977 Section 22, and the District Council Bylaws, notice is hereby given that the lighting of fires in the open air in the Wanganui District is restricted as from midnight Friday, 12 February 2010. All fires in the open are required to have a permit.

This restriction applies to all the land administered by the Wanganui District Council as a Fire Authority.

This restriction remains in force until further notice.

Exceptions – the following activities are permitted:
Barbecues lit in properly constructed containers and solid or gas fuelled.
Hangi fires lit a minimum of 3 metres from any combustible structures or vegetation.

Provided:
That no such fires shall be lit when strong or gusty winds are prevailing.
In all cases a person lighting a fire within the bounds of these exceptions shall remain in attendance at the fire until it is fully extinguished.
It shall be no legal defence against claims for damage caused by any fire that such fire was of the type, or lit at the time permitted, by this notice.

Rural fire permits will be issued on Thursdays and Fridays.
One week's advance notice is required for small fires (less than 2 hectares), and three weeks' advance notice for larger burns (equal to or greater than 2 hectares). This will allow for inspection/s and the preparation of a burn plan for larger fires.

All enquiries to Fire and Rescue Services, phone: (06) 348 0103.

Kevin Smith
Principal Rural Fire Officer
Wanganui District

Public notice is hereby given in accordance with Clause 5 of the First Schedule of the Resource Management Act 1991 that the Wanganui District Council has prepared Plan Changes 16 and 17 to the Wanganui District Plan.

The Wanganui District Council notifies the Plan Changes as follows:

Proposed Plan Change 16: Rezoning of 12 Lenihan Street, Wanganui

Proposed Plan Change 16 seeks to rezone the property located at 12 Lenihan Street, Wanganui, being Lot 1 DP 59241, from Reserves and Open Space to Residential zone.

Proposed Plan Change 17: Rezoning of Raupo-Hinau Reserve, Wanganui

Proposed Plan Change 17 seeks to rezone the property located on the corner of Hinau Street and Raupo Street (known as Hinau-Raupo Reserve), Wanganui, being Lot 1 DP 421649, from Reserves and Open Space to Residential Zone.

Copies of Plan Changes 16 and 17 and submission forms are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, from the Customer Services Counter, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, and also at the District Library, Queens Park, Wanganui; or on this page.

Submissions relating to any aspect of the Plan Changes should be in writing and on the prescribed form and addressed to:

Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
101 Guyton Street
Wanganui
or faxed to: (06) 349 0523

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Friday, 5 March 2010.

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 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 request 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) 394 0001 ext. 8102.

Consumers are advised that automatic garden sprinklers can be used by all residents (irrespective of whether their house number is an odd or even number) between the following times:

7pm to 9pm During the hours of daylight saving
6pm to 8pm Outside the hours of daylight saving

Hand-held hoses can be used at any time.

Wanganui Wastewater Separation project
(Wanganui Drainage Contractors Ltd)

Karaka Street between Karewa Street and No. 75 Karaka Street will be closed from Thursday, 18 February 2010, until Monday, 8 March 2010, between 7.00am and 5.00pm for the purpose of constructing new stormwater drains.

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.

Somme Parade between Dublin Street and Gloucester Street

Road works are being done in Somme Parade between Dublin Street and Gloucester Street from 18 January 2010 for an estimated period of three months.

The road works are necessary to address deficiencies in the existing road pavement, enable widening of the carriageway and alterations to intersection layouts for safety purposes. The completed works will make provision for cyclists. Motorists will notice significant improvements to road surface smoothness.

At times during the work, the public will experience unavoidable delays. Motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes around the perimeter of the road works.

Residents within the work zone will be informed of impending work via a letter drop and updated on progress during the project period.

Until 25 April 2010 the ski lane area will be closed on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5.00pm to dusk and Sunday mornings from dawn to 12 noon for Wanganui Water Ski Club, and Wednesday nights from 5.00pm to dusk for jet skiers.

The passive area will be open to the public throughout the season.

The lake will also be closed on the following dates from dawn to dusk.

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.