The 11th Annual Whanganui Artists Open Studios event is taking place for the next two weekends, offering a unique opportunity to visit artists in their own studios and view their work and working practices.

Over the past 11 years the event has grown into a major highlight of the Wanganui cultural calendar and attracts visitors from across New Zealand.

This year 58 artists and galleries are taking part in the event. The Arts Trail Guide can be picked up at a range of places including the Visitor Information Centre on Taupo Quay and council’s Municipal Building at 101 Guyton Street. The guide contains details of all participating artists and a location map.

To help find the studios, which are spread out across the Wanganui district, green fluorescent flags are placed outside participating studios and galleries. The artists will be available to answer questions about their work, some of which is for sale.

If you're not sure which studios you'd like to visit, you can head down to the Made Here: Sampler Exhibition in the Federal Building on the corner of Taupo Quay and Market Place. The exhibition is open both weekends (March 19/20 and March 26/27) from 10.00am to 4.00pm and has examples of work from all participating artists.

There is also a programme of workshops and special events taking place and full details can be found in the Trail Guide or online here.

The Whanganui Artists Open Studios event has received funding from the council’s Impact Fund.The Impact Fund supports projects which will generate significant economic benefits to the Wanganui city and district.

The World’s Smallest Library – March 19 to March 29

One of the Whanganui Artists Open Studios special events is the launch of the world’s smallest public lending library. For a limited time only the public phone booth, outside the Big Orange on Victoria Avenue, will be transformed into an oasis of literary expressionism as local artists, writers and members of the community collaborate to share their favourite books.

If you would like to share your favourite read you can drop off your books (maximum 2) for the world’s smallest library at the front desk of the District Library, Queens Park or head down to the telephone box and trade in your read.

The library will be open between 10am and 4pm daily.

The National Christchurch Memorial Service, which offers people the opportunity to reflect on recent events and remember the loss of New Zealanders and citizens of other countries, will be screened live in Majestic Square on Friday.

A large screen has been arranged by Robert Scott to enable the people of Wanganui to join together and watch the service, which is being held in North Hagley Park, Christchurch.

The Memorial Service begins at 12.30pm. HRH Prince William, Prime Minister John Key, the Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and the Mayor of Christchurch Bob Parker, and other dignitaries will also be at the service to pay special tribute to the people of Christchurch and all families who have lost loved ones. Music, prayers and readings will also be part of the service.

The service will include a two minute silence, at 12.51pm and the service is expected to finish at approximately 2.30pm.

Head along to Gonville Café Library today at 12 noon and meet internationally best-selling author Sarah-Kate Lynch.

Sarah-Kate will be talking about her new novel Dolci di Love, which is set in Tuscany.

Gonville Café Library is located at 44 Abbot Street, Gonville.

Consultation terminated

Proposed Amendment to the Long Term Council Community Plan
2009-2019 (10-Year Plan)
New Zealand Cycling Centre of Excellence

SPARC has not shortlisted Wanganui’s bid to host the New Zealand Cycling Centre of Excellence so there is no longer a requirement to amend the 10-Year Plan 2009-2019.

Council has resolved to terminate consultation that had started to amend the 10-Year Plan 2009-2019 to include a new activity of a New Zealand Cycling Centre of Excellence in Council's plans. It also included changes to Council's debt forecasts to reflect increased borrowings to build the centre.

Sculpture Wanganui 2011

Entries for this year's Sculpture Wanganui event have closed, with 24 submissions received.

Entries have come from across New Zealand, Australia and as far afield as the USA. The submissions are currently being assessed and up to four entries will be shortlisted.

Maquettes of the shortlisted entries will be displayed in the Quay Gallery and the final winner chosen by an external judge.

The shortlisted entries will be announced tomorrow (Friday, March 18).

Dublin Street Bridge will be closed to normal vehicular traffic on Sunday, 20 March 2011, between 7.00am and 5.00pm. The road closure does not affect the cycleway/walkway which will remain open.

The road closure is to enable necessary repairs to the bridge deck and the application of a new chip seal surface.

Sunday, 27 March 2011, will be used in the event that poor weather prevents completion of the programmed works.

Road users are requested to follow the signposted detours whilst the closure is in operation. The bridge will be able to be re-opened for emergency services.

Introduction of infringement notices to assist noise control

At the 30 August 2010 meeting of Council, it was resolved that instant infringement notices of $500 can be given to people who have been issued with an excessive noise direction (END) where the conditions of an excessive noise direction are not met.

An excessive noise direction is a warning that the person has breached acceptable noise limits. In most cases people respond positively to the issuing of an excessive noise direction and cease the offending 'noisy' activity.

The introduction of infringement notices is to assist with noise control where people continue to display ongoing antisocial 'noisy' behaviour to neighbours and the community.

Infringement notices are used within other regulatory activities such as resource management, building control and animal control.

Shakespeare Road will be closed between house numbers 16 to 32 to normal vehicular traffic from 9.00am to 3.00pm on Monday, 21 March 2011, or if wet on Wednesday,  23 March 2011.  This is to enable the removal of nine poles. 

Access to properties will be provided to each side of the work area. The road will be able to be re-opened for emergency services.  Road users are requested to follow the signage whilst the closure is in operation.

Click map to enlarge image.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings.

Hearing by Independent Commissioner – Thursday, March 17 (11.30am, Committee Room 2)

• Proposal to construct and establish a commercial activity in the Residential Zone.

Youth – Monday, March 21 (4.00pm, Council Chamber)

• Appointment of New Youth Councillors; Appointment of 2011 Youth Committee Co-Deputy Chairs; Regional Youth Council Forum – Update; Christchurch Fundraising Opportunity; For Our Kids; Community Feedback Forum; Projects, Working Party and General Updates; Youth Services Activity Report; Have Your Say; What’s the haps?.

Discover Wanganui – Tuesday, March 22 (10.00am, Committee Room 2)

Infrastructure and Property – Tuesday March 29 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)

Community and Environment – Thursday, March 31 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)

Strategy and Finance – Tuesday, April 5 (2.00pm, 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.