New Council and Community Board ready for business

Wanganui District's new Mayor, Mayoress, Councillors and Rural Community Board members were officially sworn in at the Triennial Council meeting on 22 October 2004.

Mayor Michael Laws and Mayoress Leonie Brookhammer were inducted by the Council's Chief Executive Officer, Colin Whitlock.

Mayor Laws then completed the induction of the Councillors and Wanganui Rural Community Board members.

The Councillors are (urban ward) Barbara Bullock, Randhir Dahya, Murray Hughes, Marty Lindsay, Dot McKinnon, Sue Pepperell, Graeme Taylor, Sue Westwood, Rangi Wills; (rural ward) Nicki Higgie, Don McGregor, Ray Stevens.

Community Board members are Stephen Anstis, Andrew Collins, Shaun Forlong, Peter Molan, Stephen Ranginui, Sara Wickham. Mayor Laws and the three rural ward Councillors are also members of the Community Board.

Dot McKinnon has been appointed Deputy Mayor.

Wanganui District Council (from left): (front) Randhir Dahya, Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon, Mayor Michael Laws, Mayoress Leonie Brookhammer, Don McGregor; (middle) Sue Pepperell, Nicki Higgie, Murray Hughes, Rangi Wills, Sue Westwood, Barbara Bullock; (back) Graeme Taylor, Ray Stevens, Marty Lindsay.

Wanganui Rural Community Board (from left): (front) Nicki Higgie, Peter Molan, Andrew Collins, Sara Wickham; (back) Stephen Ranginui, Ray Stevens, Shaun Forlong, Steve Anstis, Don McGregor.

The following committees and appointments were also confirmed at the Triennial meeting.

Purposes of the Committees

Strategy Committee

• The overall policy development of the District especially heritage issues and the advancement of direct democracy, including major strategic issues and issues that have significant impact across the Council's activities.

Community Committee

• The policy development and monitoring of the community development activity.
• The policy development and monitoring of the recreation and leisure activity.

Economic Committee

• The policy development and monitoring of the economic development activity. To present to the Council projects of economic benefit, which the Committee believes should be undertaken by the Council. To oversee individual projects delegated to it by the Council, particularly projects for the economic development of the District.
• The policy development of the financing and funding of Council activity, Council's organisation and the representation and investment activities. The monitoring of physical and financial performance together with the financial condition of the organisation.
• To administer the Council's forestry activity in liaison with its Joint Venture partners.

Environment Committee

• The policy development and monitoring of the environment activity.
• The policy development of the emergency management activity.

Audit and Administration Committee

• The audit and administration of the Council's activities.

Works and Transport Committee

• The policy development and monitoring of the water supply, river works, waste disposal and transport network activities excluding the harbour.

Harbour Committee

• The Works and Transport Committee will convene as the Harbour Committee as and when required for the administration of the harbour in accordance with the Wanganui Harbour Act 1988.

Hearings Committee

• The administration of the Council's statutory hearings role.

Wanganui Rural Community Board

• The Wanganui Rural Community Board covers the area of the rural ward. It is a body established by statute. Its responsibilities and powers are as delegated by the Wanganui District Council.

Photos of Mayor Michael Laws courtesy of Wanganui Newspapers

October 30: Wanganui Business Awards
Venue: War Memorial Hall.

October 30: St John Book Sale
Venue: St John Training Centre, Tawa Street. 10am-4pm.

October 30: Wanganui East School Gala
Venue: Wanganui East School. 11am-2pm.

October 30: Forum: Decades On - The Jewellery Workshop
Venue: Sarjeant Gallery. 1.30pm. Ann Visser grew up in Putiki and she and her business partner will talk about their journey from crafts to the exhibition "Identity" at the Sarjeant Gallery.

October 30: High Achievers Music Recital
Venue: Royal Wanganui Opera House. 8pm.

October 30: Rivercity Markets
Venue: Wanganui Racecourse. 8am-1pm.

October 30: Saturday Dance
Venue: Gonville Town Hall, Tawa Street. 7.30pm.

October 30-31: Regional Diabetes Conference
Venue: CES Rooms. Contact Murray, phone 345 5784.

October 31: Star FM Oceanview Speedway - Family Day
Venue: Oceanview Speedway, Landguard Road. 12noon.

October 31: Koitiata Country Music
Venue: Koitiata Community Hall, Turakina Beach. 1.30pm.

October 31: Forum: Mystery of the Mighty Moa
Venue: Whanganui Regional Museum. 2pm.

October 31: Special Olympics
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Cooks Gardens.

November 2: St George's School Athletics
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Cooks Gardens.

November 2: Junior Athletics
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Cooks Gardens. 5.15pm.

November 3: Planning and Resource Management Seminar
Venue: CLAW's seminar room, Victoria Court. 5.30pm. A free two-hour seminar about the District Plan and Resource Management Act. Registrations are essential as space is limited - phone CLAW on 348 8288.

November 5: Castlecliff Beach Bonfire
Venue: Castlecliff Beach. 8.30pm. Theme: The Foreshore. Volunteers are required to help construct the bonfire. Donations of brushwood gratefully received. In the event of high wind, the bonfire will be cancelled. Contact Fred Frederikse, phone 345 2376.

To November 6: Theatre - Shop 'Til You Drop
Venue: Wanganui Repertory Theatre. 8pm daily, except October 31 (2pm). Bookings at Royal Wanganui Opera House.

To November 7: Diane Fiezini & Denita Harrod Exhibition and CES Exhibition
Venue: Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay.

Throughout October and November:
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.

Fright Night at the Winter Gardens

Sunday, October 31 (weather permitting)

From when darkness falls to about 10pm.
Dress up and get into the spirit.
Entry is free.

Join the Great Whanganui Clean Up beside the Whanganui River on Sunday, October 31.

The clean-up day is being supported by the Council, Radio Network, rowing clubs and the multisport and triathlon clubs.

Members of the public are invited to join the clean up any time between 10am and 2pm on Sunday. It is suggested you head to the meeting point nearest your home where you will be supplied with gloves and bags for the clean up. Meeting points are Aramoho Rowing Club, Kowhai Park at the pumpkin, Waimarie and Landguard Bluff.

You'll also receive tickets for a sausage sizzle at Kowhai Park (next to the pumpkin) and these will also be used in a draw for spot prizes.

So come along Wanganui and help us to keep our Whanganui River environment free from rubbish.

Temporary road closure: Handley Road
Sunday, 21 November 2004

Handley Road will be temporarily closed on Sunday, 21 November 2004, from 9.00am to 5.30pm for the Wanganui Car Club's Rally Car Ride event.

The closure will be from approximately 1km from the start of the gravel at the Mowhanau Beach end to the beginning of the tarseal at the Maxwell end.

The Council apologises for any misunderstanding arising from the previous advertising of this temporary road closure.

Vacancies

Executive Assistant to Mayor Michael Laws
Applications close 14 November 2004

Business Accountant
Applications close 14 November 2004

Lake Wiritoa closure

Lake Wiritoa will be closed to the public on Saturday, 30 October 2004, and Sunday, 31 October 2004, for the Wanganui Water Ski Club's opening weekend.

The beach area of the lake will remain open for passive recreation.

The Council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause the public.

Recreational users are advised of potential health risks arising from the discharge of wastewater to the Whanganui River.

Under the coastal permits issued for the wastewater project, the Wanganui District Council is required to regularly inform the public of these potential risks.

At present, the existing combined sewer and stormwater system overflows and discharges wastewater into the Whanganui River during periods of rain. However, this overflow will be eliminated progressively as sewage is removed from stormwater systems on both private and public property throughout urban Wanganui.

Property owners are reminded that all sewage must leave their property in a separate pipe that contains no stormwater by the following dates:

For further information, please contact the Separation Hotline 349 0548.

Unless otherwise noted all meetings are held at 4.00pm 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.