Wanganui - on the way to a safer community

A Plan that will help make Wanganui a safer place to live was launched in 2009 by the Member of Parliament for Wanganui, Chester Borrows, at the Gonville Community Centre in Abbott Street, Wanganui.

The plan, the work of Safer Wanganui, identifies the social issues in Wanganui that make it a less safe place to live and comes up with an action plan to tackle each of these issues.

Sally Patrick, Community and Cultural Manager at the Wanganui District Council, said the Plan was the culmination of months of hard work by members of the Project.

"Representatives from the Wanganui District Council, Ministries of Social Development, Education and Health government agencies, ACC, community social services, Sports Wanganui, business and iwi/Maori groups all came together to develop real plans to tackle the major social issues facing Wanganui," she said.

"The plan is based on the Local Services Mapping process which is facilitated by the Ministry of Social Development. It brings the wider community together, using their combined knowledge and expertise, to tackle issues relating to education, family violence, road safety, alcohol and other drugs, emergency planning and justice," said Ms Patrick.

Inspector Duncan Macleod, Area Commander Wanganui Police and a member of the Safer Wanganui Steering Group, said the plan is proof as to how the Wanganui community can come together, collaborate and move forward.

"This Safer Wanganui Plan will make Wanganui a safer place for us all because it tackles the issues behind the problems. The plan also recognises that safety is a universal concern and a community responsibility," he said.

The Plan also brings accreditation as one of the World Health Organisation's 'Safe Communities' a step closer. This worldwide programme recognises safety as a universal concern and a responsibility shared by all.

Safe communities work to protect and improve safety through a coordinated and inter-sectorial approach. There are currently nine safe communities in New Zealand with a further five (including Wanganui) aiming for designation next year.

The Safer Wanganui Plan includes a collaborative action plan for the coming year and beyond. It includes the appointment of a co-ordinator to lead the project, including the application to be a designated 'safe community'.

For more information, please contact:
Sally Patrick
Community and Cultural Manager
Wanganui District Council
(06) 349 0530

View the Safer Wanganui Plan