Moutoa Quay has been chosen for stage one of the tramline construction project.

The tram route was discussed at the Strategy and Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday and councillors agreed the preferred route would be along Moutoa Quay, linking the Tram Shed to the PS Waimarie berth.

The Tram Project Team, which includes representatives of Wanganui District Council, Tramways Trust and an independent person, considered two options for the initial tramline construction. 

"The two options for stage one were either along Moutoa Quay or along Taupo Quay," Strategy and Finance Committee Chair Cr Rob Vinsen said.

"The Tramways Trust and the Project Team preferred the Moutoa Quay route for stage one and the Strategy and Finance Committee supported this option in principle, with detailed designs and costs to be completed.

"It is vital that the tram is integrated with the future development of the riverfront and the Moutoa Quay tram route fits best with the Riverfront Development Plan.

"The plan envisages that the Moutoa Quay area will eventually become a pedestrian-orientated open space so the tramline would cause minimal traffic disruption and existing activities could continue. There is also the opportunity to link the riverfront with the city centre and it would directly contribute to the plan’s objectives of vibrancy, interest, coherency and providing a drawcard to the area.

"Before any final decisions are made, it is important that we complete the detailed riverfront concept and consider the Tram Project as part of that when we have more detailed designs and costs."

Choosing the route along Moutoa Quay for stage one does not limit any other routes being developed in the future. The detailed design report is due to be completed by the end of September.

The committee's recommendation for the stage one route will go to the council meeting on August 22 to be confirmed.

If you'd like to discover more about your Australian or New Zealand heritage, head along to the Alexander Heritage and Research Library on Saturday, August 13.

This free event runs from 10am to 4pm.

Click on the image for further details.

There's just a month to go until the Rugby World Cup starts and Wanganui is getting ready to host the USA Eagles team for their pre-tournament training. We are also getting ready to welcome visitors from across New Zealand and from the rest of the world.

Real Whanganui Festival

During the period of the Rugby World Cup, the Real Whanganui Festival will offer a huge range of events with something for everyone.

Events include the Wanganui Glass Festival, artists open studios, The Big Paint at the War Memorial Conference and Convention Centre, music performances, community events and special exhibitions at the Sarjeant Gallery and Whanganui Regional Museum.

To find out what's happening in Wanganui during the Rugby World Cup visit the Visitor Information Centre at 31 Taupo Quay, or check out the Real Whanganui Festival website at www.realwhanganui.co.nz.

Wanted – old rugby boots!

Do you have any pairs of old rugby boots that you don’t want and are just taking up space at home?

As part of our planned decorations at the Winter Gardens, Virginia Lake, for the Rugby World Cup we need around 15 pairs of old rugby boots.

If you've got some old boots you are willing to donate please contact Wendy McGhie, phone 349 0001 ext 3075.

Cooks Gardens closure

Cooks Gardens will be closed to the public from Monday, August 29 to Saturday, September 10, while the ground is used by the USA Eagles team for their Rugby World Cup preparations.

While the USA team is here, the Cooks Street entrance will be available for spectators (at agreed times). The Maria Place entrance will be used by the team only.

The Department of Building and Housing (DBH) has made changes to key Building Code documents dealing with Structure (Code clause B1) and External Moisture (Code clause E2).

Important documents that the majority of designers and builders use day-to-day, including NZS 3604 and Acceptable Solution  E2/AS1, are affected by the changes which address foundations, structure and the building envelope.

Other documents changed relate to steel-framed housing, seismic performance of engineering systems in buildings, barriers, and the weather tightness of concrete and concrete masonry construction.

The changes took effect from 1 August 2011, with a transition period through to 31 January 2012. During the transition period there will be two Acceptable Solutions or Verification Methods - the old document and the revised one.  From 1 February 2012 only the new versions apply.

Designers and builders are encouraged to use NZS 3604:2011 and become familiar with the new documents. Further guidance can be obtained from the DBH website here.

Website survey under way

We are currently seeking feedback from users of the council’s website.

We want to know whether people find the site easy to use and whether it contains useful information. If you would like to take part in our brief survey click here.

Property to let in upper Aramoho, tidy with 4 bedrooms plus sun room, single garage and 2 small sheds.  No dogs. Rent is $240 per week. For more information phone 349 3183.

We currently have the following vacancies:

Curator of Collections - applications close Monday, 22 August 2011

Click here for more information.

Wanganui District Plan

Summary of submissions available and call for further submissions to Plan Change 20 – District Plan Online and Plan Change 21 – Central City and Riverfront

Public notice is hereby given in accordance with clause 7 of the First Schedule of the Resource Management Act 1991 (The Act) that the Wanganui District Council has prepared a summary of submissions made to:

Proposed Plan Change 21 – Central City and Riverfront
Proposed Plan Change 21 proposes changes to the central city and riverfront areas, including the Old Town.  This plan change proposes to amend the existing Central Commercial Zone, and creates new zones: Central Edge Commercial Zone, Arts and Commerce Zone, and Riverfront Zone.  The plan change also introduces objectives, policies and rules relating to these zones. The proposed zones have been created as a method to achieve the objectives identified through an extensive consultation process.

The Wanganui District Council now invites further written submissions in support of, or in opposition to, those submissions already made.

The following persons may make a further submission, in the prescribed form:

(a) any person representing a relevant aspect of the public interest; and
(b) any person that has an interest in the proposed policy statement or plan greater than the interest that the general public has; and
(c) the local authority itself.

Further submissions may ONLY be in support of, or in opposition to, submissions already made to proposed Plan Change 20 or Plan Change 21.  Further submissions must be in writing, and be in the prescribed form, which is available from the Wanganui District Council, and addressed to:

Wanganui District Council                             
P O Box 637                                                   
Wanganui 

Or faxed to (06) 349 0523

The LAST DAY for further submissions in support of, or opposition to, those submissions already made is 5.00pm on Thursday, 25 August 2011.

Please note:
You must send a copy of your further submission to the person or organisation whose submission you are supporting or opposing, within five working days of sending your submission to the Wanganui District Council.

Following the close of further submissions, if required, the Wanganui District Council will then hold a Hearing of the submissions. All persons who make a submission or further submission and who requested 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 Shane McGhie, Wanganui District Council, phone 349 0001 ext 8161.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings.  

Hearing by Independent Commissioner – Thursday, August 18 (9.00am, Committee Room 2)

• Resource Consent application to establish and operate a freight depot by Whitlock Freight, 21A Belmont Road.

Council – Monday, August 22 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)

• The Council will consider the reports from Committee meetings held in July and August along with reports direct to Council.

Council – August 31 (1.00pm, Council Chamber)

• Submissions to Wanganui Urban Transportation Strategy.

Council – September 1 (1.00pm, Council Chamber)

• Revenue and Financing Policy Community Consultation.

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.