Wanganui will be one of the first districts to receive ultra fast broadband under the government’s $1.5 billion ultra fast broadband initiative.

A deal has been signed with UltraFast Fibre Ltd (owned by WEL Networks) to begin laying a fibre optic ultra fast broadband network in Wanganui urban areas.

Wanganui District Council is conducting an initial survey with education providers, healthcare organisations and the business sector to ensure the network is rolled out as effectively as possible to priority users. A survey for Wanganui residents will take place in the near future.

If you are an education provider, healthcare organisation or business which received the survey and have not yet returned it there is still time to do so. Please make sure you take part in the survey and help us get connected. For more information visit our website at www.wanganui.govt.nz.

Let's make a difference for Wanganui and get ultra fast broadband connected as quickly as possible.

Statistics NZ is conducting the NZ Census on 8 March 2011 and everyone needs to fill in their form.

The Census is conducted every five years and the information collected will be used to make decisions on key services such as hospitals, schools, roads, public transport and recreational facilities and how government spending is allocated. It’s essential that you take part.

This year, you can choose to complete the paper Census form or complete it online.

Wanganui's Stepping UP programme has launched the 'Come to your Census' initiative, which encourages people to complete the census online – even if you don’t have your own computer.

On March 8, a number of centres and organisations will open their doors and provide the opportunity for people to come along and complete the Census on computers at these sites.

These locations include the Alexander Library, Gonville Café Library, Whanganui Learning Centre, Born and Raised Pasifika Centre, Citizens Advice Bureau and the City Mission Food Bank. People will need to bring their Census paper forms and the Internet Access Code delivered to them by Census collectors.

Wanganui District Council is the lead partner for delivering the Stepping UP and Computers in Homes programmes in Wanganui.  Since 2006, around 325 families and whanau in Wanganui have participated in Computers in Homes at partner schools and community training centres.  The Stepping UP programme has been operating since 2009 and is delivered at the Whanganui Learning Centre. 

Disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods and storms can strike at any time, sometimes without warning. All disasters have the potential to cause disruption, damage property and take lives.
The recent Christchurch earthquakes, which have had devastating effects, reminds everyone how important it is to be prepared if disaster strikes.

You need to be prepared to cope on your own for up to three days, or more.
You should have:

• A Household Emergency Plan
• An Emergency Survival Kit
• A Getaway Kit if you need to be evacuated.

Details on how to prepare for and get through if disaster strikes can be found on the council’s website at www.wanganui.govt.nz, and on www.getthru.govt.nz. You can also collect a leaflet about how to prepare for an emergency from the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Building, 101 Guyton Street.

Be prepared and get through!

Wanganui District Council is undertaking research into the use of mobility devices in our community.

We want you to share your opinion and experience. The information will be used to:

• help the Council understand user needs
• contribute to improved delivery of Council services e.g. footpaths

What do we mean by a mobility device?
For this survey it means a battery powered personal mobility device with three or more wheels that is steered manually and electrically such as:

• powered wheelchairs
• self propelling wheelchairs
• transit chairs
• mobility scooter

To request a copy of the survey please email or click here to download the survey.

The closing date for responses is Wednesday, 16 March 2011.

Public Notice (Sec 83, 84 and 93(4) and (5), and 97(2) of the Local Government Act 2002)

In June 2010 the Government announced it wanted to undertake a major reshaping and expansion of high performance sport and announced a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process to select a location and facility to meet its high performance cycling needs.

At its meeting held on Monday, 31 January 2011, Wanganui District Council resolved to submit a bid to Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) to site the New Zealand Cycling Centre of Excellence (NZCCOE) in Wanganui.

In order to assist Council’s bid and ensure readiness should it be successful in the NZCCOE tender process, Council needs to complete its consultation and make a decision by mid-April 2011 about whether or not to amend its 10-Year Plan.

Submissions are now invited on the proposed 10-Year Plan amendments, which are to:

• Create a new activity of Council to construct, manage and operate the NZCCOE.
• Amend the Revenue and financing policy to accommodate a change in rating in order to fund the NZCCOE.
• Reforecast Council's 10-Year Plan financial statements.

Copies of a Draft Statement of Proposal, Summary Information and Submission Forms are available from the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, and at the Davis Library, Queens Park, during normal opening hours. These documents are also available on the Council web site, www.wanganui.govt.nz, by emailing wdc@wanganui.govt.nz or by telephoning Customer Services on 349 0001.

Submissions should be addressed to:

10-Year Plan 2009-2019 Amendment
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui 4540

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Friday, 25 March 2011.

The Wanganui District Council is working with the Wanganui Resene PaintWise Programme. Wanganui residents can return unwanted paint (no solvents accepted) and paint packaging to the Resene Colour Shop. It is then mixed into varying shades of grey paint. Resene donates the resulting good quality waterborne Resene paint to community groups in Wanganui.

Residents can return up to 10 packs of any brand of paint free of charge.

Where:   Resene Colour Shop, 17 Wilson Street, Wanganui; phone 348 0048
When:    Deliver it on the last Friday of every month
Time:     Between 2.00pm and 4.00pm

Diary these dates
Friday        25 February 2011
Friday        25 March 2011
Friday        29 April 2011

You can also help by reporting graffiti as and when it happens. Telephone the Graffiti Hotline 349 0500 for removal of graffiti in highly visible areas of Wanganui.

Consumers are advised that automatic garden sprinklers can be used any day but only between 7.00pm and 9.00pm.

Hand-held hoses can be used at any time.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings.

Council – Monday, March 7 (2.00pm, Council Chamber

Hearings and Regulatory – Thursday, March 10 (2.00pm, Committee Room 2) (to be confirmed)

• Section 357 – Objection to Subdivision Condition – D Rogers, 89 Springvale Road.

Council - Monday, March 14 (2.00pm, Council Chamber

• Adoption of draft Annual Plan 2011/12 for public consultation.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Tuesday, March 15 (4.00pm, Council Chamber)

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.

Postponement
The meeting of the Wanganui District Councils’ Forestry Joint Committee scheduled for Monday, February 28, will now be held on Friday, March 18 at 2.00pm in Committee Room 2.