Issue No. 99 - 26 April 2003

At Your Service: Waterways and natural drainage

We provide waterways and natural drainage
To provide management of natural water systems that meets environmental and amenity standards for the urban area.

How this service is provided
Natural water flows through the ground and in open watercourses from the rural area to the Whanganui River and the coast through the city environment. These water systems are managed to ensure they are not contaminated and do not create problems such as flooding or dampness. The Council undertakes physical maintenance of watercourses and open drains and also requires privately owned drains to be maintained where necessary for the wider community.

Services provided

  1. Public health protection by ensuring that procedures for eliminating potential wastewater disease transmissions are followed.
  2. Respond with high priority to sewer contamination or flooding that is likely to affect public health.
  3. Maintenance clearing of open drain systems.
  4. Enforcement of the maintenance of privately owned open drains.
  5. Monitoring of the Matarawa flood control scheme.
  6. Maintenance of urban stopbanks.

Monitoring the service
Monthly audit of operations.

Cost
The average ratepayer pays $13 per year.

Further information is available from Wanganui Water Services, phone 349 0510, email Water Services.

Consultation on the Draft Long-term Council Community Plan
and Service Management Plan (2003-2013)

The Council has prepared a Statement of Proposal under the Local Government Act 2002. The Statement of Proposal incorporates the Council's Long-term Council Community Plan and Service Management Plan for 2003-2013. The requirements of the new Act replace the former Annual Plan process.

The Statement of Proposal is open for public submissions from 24 April 2003 until 30 May 2003.

Copies of the draft plans, and a summary document which outlines the key information in the draft plans, will be available:

  • From the Customer Services Desk at the Council building, 101 Guyton Street, or by phoning Customer Services on 349 0001.
  • From the Wanganui District Library.
  • On this site.
  • By emailing us.

All submissions will be acknowledged and considered by the Council. Copies of each submission will be made publicly available when the Council considers submissions. Submitters will have the opportunity to be heard in relation to their submission if they wish.

Key dates

Public consultation 24 April to 30 May 2003
Submission hearings 17-19 June 2003
Adoption of plans 24-26 June 2003
Setting of 2003/04 rates Early July 2003
What's on in and around Wanganui

To April 27: Wanganui Competition Society Dance Event
Venue: Prince Edward Auditorium, Wanganui Collegiate School.

April 26: Hot Salsa Night
Venue: Hot Rod Club, London Street. 7.30pm. Contact: Virginia, phone 345 2462 or Sanna, phone 343 3134.

April 26: Rivercity Markets
Venue: Wanganui Racecourse. 8am-1pm.

April 28-May 3: This is Not a Photo Show Exhibition
Venue: Quay School of the Arts, Rutland Street. 11am-2pm.

April 29: Coffee Club 03 - We Will Remember Them: ANZACs of WW1
Venue: Whanganui Regional Museum. 2pm. Museum curator Fiona Hall will talk about this exhibition.

Throughout April and May:
A wide range of exhibitions at the Sarjeant Gallery, Whanganui Regional Museum and other galleries.

More information about things to do in the Wanganui District is available from the i-Site Wanganui Visitor Centre, 101 Guyton Street.

Last chance to view Denton exhibition

This weekend is your last chance to see an exhibition of special significance to Wanganui.

The Frank Denton: Photographer in Time of Transition exhibition at the Sarjeant Gallery finishes on April 27.

Curated by Peter Ireland, this exhibition celebrates the work of Wanganui-based photographer Frank Denton who began his commercial photography business in 1899. Each bay of the Gallery's west wing contains a specific aspect of Denton's work: The River, The People, The Business, The Family and The Art.

Wanganui residents and visitors are urged to take the opportunity to view this historically rich exhibition before it closes.

Winter Gardens closure

The conservatory and outdoor area at the Winter Gardens will be closed from April 22 for re-roofing and maintenance work.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and anticipate that you will enjoy the new displays when we re-open.

We expect that the Winter Gardens will re-open in four to five weeks. We will keep you informed.

Wanganui District Library presents

You Won't Die Laughing

What is stress costing your business:
Mistakes
Sick days
Lost production
Low energy

…with international presenters Patricia Cameron-Hill and Shane Yates

A wonderful opportunity to reward your staff by sending them to this business seminar full of learning, fun and laughter.

When: Wednesday, 7 May 2003
Time: 2 sessions 9am-12noon or 1.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: $40 per person (GST inclusive)
Inquiries: Please contact Michelle Selby on 349 1000 ext 806
Creative Communities New Zealand
Local Arts Funding Scheme

Financial Assistance to Arts and Cultural Activities

TE MAHI TAHA TOI ME TE MAHI WHAKANGAHAU MO TENEI WAHI
MO NGA ROPU KEI TE PIRANGI MONI AWHINATIA MO TE MAHI
TAHA TOI ME TE MAHI WHAKANGAHAU

Applications for financial assistance under the Creative New Zealand Local Arts Funding Scheme are now being called for.

Approximately $15,500 is available for distribution to arts and cultural activity groups, organisations and individuals, based in the Wanganui District Council area. (Applications from individuals must indicate community rather than exclusive benefit).

Application Assistance

To assist those wishing to apply, and who may need assistance, please contact either Keith Smith at the District Council, or, Barbara Vine at the Community Arts Centre.

Application forms are available from:

Wanganui District Council
101 Guyton Street
PO Box 637
Wanganui

and

Wanganui Community Arts Centre
19 Taupo Quay
Wanganui

Further detailed information is available from:

Keith Smith
Community Liaison Officer
Wanganui District Council

Applications close at 4.00pm Friday, 30 May 2003

Lifting of Prohibited Fire Season

Pursuant to the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977 and the District Council By-laws, notice is given that the prohibited fire season, for all the area in the Wanganui Fire District, is hereby lifted as from midnight on Saturday, 5 April 2003.

Fires in all the above areas will require permits until further notice.

Applications for permits should be made to the New Zealand Fire Service during normal business hours on phone 348 0103.

One week's advance notice for small fires and three weeks' advance notice for larger burns (two hectares or more in size), which will require a fire plan, is required for permits in the rural area to allow for an inspection to be made.

Fire permits will be issued on Thursdays and Fridays.

The Department of Conservation issues permits for its areas.

Water conservation - the hose code and sprinkler code

Water Services thanks the people of Wanganui for the conservation effort made to date that has ensured sufficient water supplies for all water users.

Everyone is reminded that sprinklers can only be used on even numbered days for even numbered houses and odd numbered days for odd numbered houses, between the hours of 6pm and 10pm. Hand held hoses can be used at any time.

The best water results for the garden are achieved from watering in the early evening.

Meetings diary

Wanganui Rural Community Board
Thursday, April 24

Economic Development
Tuesday, April 29

Environment
Thursday, May 1

Works and Transport (1pm)
Tuesday, May 6

Community Services
Wednesday, May 7

Finance and Administration
Thursday, May 8

Council - Ordinary (Council Chamber)
Monday, May 19

Unless otherwise noted, the meetings commence at 2.00pm in Committee Room 2, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

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.

The Council welcomes members of the public to attend its meetings.

Meeting Cancellations

As there is no business to transact, the following Committee meetings have been cancelled.

Harbour
Monday, May 5

Emergency Management and Civil Defence
Monday, May 5

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