Intention to review Management Plan

You are invited under Section 41 of the Reserves Act 1977 to send written suggestions on the proposal to review the Castlecliff Coastal Reserve Management Plan.

Copies of the plan are available at the Wanganui District Library and the Customer Services Desk at the District Council Offices at 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui. The Council is keen to review the plan at this time for the following reasons:

1. It is almost a decade since the original plan was adopted and the objectives of the plan may be out of date and need to be considered in light of changes in the last few years.
2. There is significant development in and around the reserve by the Council and interested groups, and further developments are proposed for the future.
3. The shape, landscape and design of the North Mole and fishing platform area are currently being reviewed by the Council and it would like public feedback on some possible changes when this landscape and mole report is available in December 2002.
4. The issue of motorised vehicles in the reserve area and illegal use of the dunes by motorised vehicles is also an issue that warrants further debate.

The Council is keen to hear from both individuals and groups on these and any other issues. A series of formal consultation meetings will be undertaken in February and March 2003, particularly with key groups. Individuals and groups are also welcome to make input prior to this.

Send your suggestions by 31 March 2003 to:

Helen Duncan
Policy Planner
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui

As part of the land management for South Beach, a simple guiding fence has been erected between the parking area and the beach. The guide fence allows safe passage for beach users to the beach without needing to compete with vehicles.

A sign has also been erected that explains the value of the coastal dune environment at South Beach referring to the ecology, recreation opportunities and the impact that recreation vehicles have on the South Beach dunes.

Do you drive in the South Beach dunes?

Beaches and the sand dunes are under increasing pressure as the demand for recreational space continues to grow. The Wanganui District Council has been considering for some time how it should respond to the use of vehicles in the South Beach dunes. These sand dunes are important but fragile land forms. The Council, together with the Department of Conservation and Regional Council, is seeking ways of preserving the dune environment by controlling off road vehicle use.

Off road vehicles are causing sand dune blowouts which are now affecting the airport area as well as destroying the local ecology. To preserve these natural land forms, the Council is looking at various options for off road vehicles.

In particular, the Council is looking for willing landowners to consider leasing, on a permanent or temporary basis, land that may be suitable for off road vehicles.

If you think your property could be used for off road vehicle recreation then we want to know

Registration of Interest from landowners
for use of land for off road vehicle recreation

The sand dunes at South Beach are under pressure from off road vehicle recreation. To prevent further erosion and damage to sensitive dune vegetation, the Wanganui District Council is seeking to relocate the off roaders to a more appropriate location. The needs of off road recreation vehicles may not be the same. Motorbikes and four wheel drive vehicles are not necessarily compatible and may require separate areas.

The Council is calling for Registrations of Interest from interested landowners who wish to lease, on a permanent or temporary basis, land for the use of off road vehicle recreation.

Registrations of interest should be sent to:

Richard Munneke
Environment Manager
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui

Telephone (06) 349 0001

The Council has launched a new initiative to help preserve and upgrade buildings in the central business district (CBD).

Owners or purchasers are able to have a preliminary expert report done for a building so they have a better idea of what needs to be done to bring it up to a reasonable standard as set out in the Building Act 1991. This will result in safer and more usable buildings.

"Following Annual Plan submissions from a number of concerned groups, the Council has allocated funds to assist with the cost of these reports," Richard Munneke, Environment Manager, said.

"People need to apply to the Council before reports are written, so the Council can approve the proposal. The reports need to be done by professional experts who can give accurate and sound advice and information."

The Building Assessment Assistance Fund is to investigate whether a building can safely accommodate a new use. It is not for detailed design or physical works. The fund is available for buildings in the Old Town Conservation Zone (Overlay Zone) and the Central Commercial Zone and any other non-residential building included in the District Plan Heritage list. Assistance is given as a dollar for dollar grant, to a maximum grant of $1500 for any one building.

"We believe that that eventually many of the buildings which make our CBD such an attractive place will be unusable if nothing is done. This would be bad for the whole community. Over time the Council will build up a library of reports so that it will have a far better idea of the state of the buildings in the CBD."

Anyone interested in applying for assistance can contact Jeff Jamieson of the Council. Copies of the application form and background information are available from the Council's Environmental Services unit.

As part of the Council's water invoicing process, water usage is currently invoiced to either the tenant or the property owner as requested.

Due to the recently passed Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 (the Act), we have been reviewing our practices in relation to water by meter charges. The Act states that the property owner is liable for all property related charges, including water by meter charges.

In preparation for the implementation of the Act, from 1 November 2002 the ratepayer of the property will receive the water usage account. Tenants will no longer receive the water usage account unless they are registered as the ratepayer on the District Valuation Roll in accordance with Section 11 of the Act. This change does not have any impact on who ultimately pays the account according to the rental agreements.

If you are unsure whether this change affects you, please contact Customer Services on (06) 349 0001.

New carpark in Ingestre Street available for renting

The Council is offering rental car parking at its newly formed carpark located in Ingestre Street. The carpark, known as the Wharenui Carpark, is within the Central Business District and can cater for 27 vehicles.

Rental parking costs $10 (including GST) per carpark per week, and is payable on a quarterly basis in advance.

Please contact Denise Brougham on telephone 349 0001 if you would like to arrange a rental space.

We remind rural residents that some areas (refer to the map) are restricted for fires during the fire season.

If you require further information, please contact:

• Department of Conservation (phone 345 2402) regarding the areas marked in green.
• New Zealand Fire Service (phone 348 0103) or Wanganui District Council (phone 349 0001) for other information.

The NIWA forecast for the coming fire season is drier and hotter than average so we urge everyone to take extreme care with fire.

Notice is given under section 28 (1) of the Local Electoral Act 2001, that the Wanganui District Council has resolved to hold the next triennial general election under the "First Past the Post" (FPP) electoral system. This electoral system will be used for the 2004 triennial general elections of the Wanganui District Council and its Community Board.

Electors of the Wanganui District Council have a right to demand a poll to countermand the resolution to use the First Past the Post electoral system. Should a valid demand for a poll be received, a poll will be held on whether the First Past the Post or Single Transferable Vote electoral system will be used for the next two triennial general elections (2004 and 2007) of the Wanganui District Council and its Community Board.

A valid demand for a poll must be:

1. made in writing.
2. be signed by at least five percent of the number of electors enrolled as eligible to vote at the 2001 triennial election of the Wanganui District Council. This will require 1497 elector signatures.
3. delivered to the office of the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui by 18 December 2002.

Every elector who signs a demand must also set out THEIR full name and address for which THEY ARE qualified as an elector of the Wanganui District Council.

For further information, please phone (06) 349 0001, extension 8074.

Dated at Wanganui this 19th day of September 2002.

More information about the FPP and STV systems is available here.

The Council has recently let a new contract to Waste Management Ltd to provide and clear refuse bins in the rural area. The new contract commenced on 1 September 2002, with the collection schedule as follows:

Waste Management Ltd will be tidying up and refurbishing the bins over the first two months of the contract. No separate provision for recycling will be provided.

Residents are reminded that the bins are provided for disposal of domestic refuse only. Hazardous wastes such as car batteries, chemicals or noxious waste, such as dead animals, should not be disposed of in the bins.

The Council has arranged for a 12-month trial for the public to have free P120 time-restricted parking in St Hill and Watt Streets. This arrangement will be instead of the present parking meters.

The trial started on Monday, October 7.

The trial will help the Council to find out whether the free parking will encourage more shoppers to park near the Central Business District. It has been suggested that the availability of this type of parking is important in retaining the economic vitality of the area.