The roading service provides access to Wanganui District properties through 220km of urban roads and 615km of rural roads, including 86 bridges.

The road network has an all weather surface with good skid resistance, visibility and smoothness. It is capable of carrying both light and heavy vehicles. Traffic management is provided through control systems, signs and markings.

Services and standards

1. Physical access is available to all serviced properties 99+% of the time.
2. 218km (99%) of the urban and 313km (51%) of the rural roads are sealed.
3. Road widths/shape are approximately relative to the vehicle volumes carried.
4. 94% of urban sealed roads have kerb and channel both sides. Sealed road roughness is kept below the point that causes high vehicle wear.
5. Vegetation mowing/cutting to specified distances from the road.
6. Unsealed roads are maintained to the following standards:
   Potholes - repaired before they reach 50mm depth.
   Corrugations - repaired before they reach 25mm depth.
   Grading to standard cross section profiles of 5-7% camber.
7. Urban roads are swept to keep litter and dust to specified minimum standards.
8. Safety maintained by traffic control/calming devices e.g. signs, islands, flush medians, traffic lights, edge markers etc.
9. Most sealed roads more than five metres wide have markings to guide traffic - repainted regularly to maintain clarity.
10. Road lighting to promote safe night usage - meaning brighter lighting on busy roads.
11. Stormwater control, so that roads have limited ponding in all but large storms.
12. 2.4km of cycle ways on some busy and narrow roads.
13. Eight service lanes (0.9km total) to give rear access to commercial properties in the Central City area.

The service is monitored by Transfund and safety audits.

Most roading activity is paid 39% by the ratepayer and 61% by Transfund (central government agency). From 2003/04 the Council has set a targeted Roads and Footpaths Rate, based on capital value. Per $100 of charge, the costs are $87.06 for roads and $12.94 for footpaths (Commercial ratepayers); $68.75 for roads and $31.25 for footpaths (Residential); and $100 for roads and $0 for footpaths (Farming).

Further information is available from Ian McGowan, Roading and Public Spaces Manager, phone 349 0001, email Ian McGowan.

Information about all of the Council's services is available in the At Your Service booklet available from Customer Services and the District Library, and on the Services pages of this site.

Residents affected by the February 2004 storms can still apply to the Wanganui Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund for financial assistance.

There is no specified closing date for applications. The application form is available from the Wanganui District Council, phone 349 0001.

May 8-16: Arts Society Exhibition - The Young and The Restless
Venue: Community Arts Centre, Taupo Quay.

May 8: Soccer - Athletic vs Palmerston North Marist
Venue: Wembley Park. 2.45pm.

May 9: Whanganui Regional Museum Hot Off the Press Programme
Venue: Whanganui Regional Museum. 2pm.

Throughout May: Wahine Pacifica Exhibition
Venue: Te Wa The Space Gallery. Tuesday to Saturday, 12noon-4pm.

To June 6: Have brushes, will travel: Nicholas Chevalier in New Zealand
Venue: Sarjeant Gallery. An exhibition which includes other 19th century artists. Monday to Saturday, 10.30am-4.30pm; Sunday, 1pm-4.30pm.

To June 13: Fumpston Prints 1973-2003
Venue: Sarjeant Gallery. Monday to Saturday, 10.30am-4.30pm; Sunday, 1pm-4.30pm.

To August 29: Hot Off the Press, printed here, read everywhere
Venue: Whanganui Regional Museum. Monday to Saturday, 10am-4.30pm; Sunday, 1pm-4.30pm. An exhibition featuring four of Wanganui's print icons.

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

Wanganui District Council is seeking public submissions on its Draft Annual Plan 2004/05 and accompanying Service Management Plan.

Submissions close on May 28.

The Council is proposing to introduce a special storm damage rate to meet the increased costs for roads and parks and reserves as a result of the February storm. This was included in the draft plan as a uniform charge of $46 per year for two years. However, since the draft plan was published, confirmation of the level of Government subsidy has been received. This will reduce the uniform charge to $25 per year for two years. With the exception of the new targeted rate for storm damage repairs, the increase in rates is 2.9%. With the addition of a separate rate for storm damage repairs, the increase in rates requirement is 4.5%.

The following table shows how a representative selection of properties will be affected by the proposed rates outlined in the Draft Annual Plan 2004/05. This information is indicative only and the effect on individual properties will vary.

Copies of the Draft Annual Plan 2004/05 and accompanying Service Management Plan are available from Customer Services at the Council building, 101 Guyton Street; the District Library; and on this page.

Vacancies

Part-time Legal Executive/Property Officer
Applications close 10 May 2004

Part-time Visitor Services Officer, Sarjeant Gallery
Applications close 14 May 2004

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 LocalArts 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, 28 May 2004

Unless otherwise noted, the meetings will be held 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.