Wanganui citizens are invited to attend the Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, March 29, to get the latest Council information.

Mayor Michael Laws and Councillors will speak about current issues and there will be an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions.

If you want to know more about the 2005 Wanganui Referendum, 2005/06 Annual Plan and some of the exciting projects planned for Wanganui, come along to the Town Hall Meeting and hear from the Mayor and Councillors.

When: 12noon-1.30pm on Tuesday, March 29
Where: Concert Chamber, War Memorial Hall

The action will be fast and furious at the rodeo on Saturday, March 26, at Westpac Stadium, Cooks Gardens.

This year's event will include the second Australia versus New Zealand Open Rodeo Trans Tasman Challenge with six of the top rodeo riders from each country going head to head in three events - the Saddle Bronc, Bareback Bronc and Bull Ride.

The programme also features, in association with the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association, the fourth round of the Australian versus New Zealand Trans Tasman High School Challenge, with three contestants from each country competing.

Other classes include steering riding, junior barrel race, barrel race, rope and tie, steer wrestling, saddle bronc ride, bareback bronc ride, team roping and bull riding.

The rodeo starts at 12.30pm.

Whanganui Artists Open Studios
Artists in their natural environment

March 26-27

Wanganui artists open their doors to the public this weekend for the fifth annual Whanganui Artists Open Studios.

Visitors will be able to see artists at work in their natural environments between 10am and 4pm Saturday and Sunday, with free entry to the studios. Programmes, including a map, are available from i-SITE Wanganui Visitor Centre in Guyton Street. All open studios will be marked with a green flag.

Saturday, March 26

10am-4pm Whanganui Artists Open Studios

11am Heritage Tour
A free, hour-long walking tour around heritage studios in the Old Town area with local historian Wendy Pettigrew. Meet at the Quay School of the Arts, Rutland Street carpark.

Sunday, March 27

10am-4pm Whanganui Artists Open Studios

Wanganui Referendum 2005

Wanganui citizens will have the opportunity to have their say in May about which projects they think the Council should focus on.

The Wanganui Referendum 2005 voting papers will be available in early May to Wanganui ratepayers and residents who are on the electoral roll. People will have until the end of May to vote.

The following projects will be included on the referendum paper, with voters asked to select their preferred three choices.

Customer Advocate
Applications close 29 March 2005

Events & Marketing Officer
Applications close 31 March 2005

Building Control Officer
Applications close 1 April 2005

Business Accountant
Applications close 1 April 2005

Directors - Council Controlled Organisations
Applications close 11 April 2005

The following holiday arrangements will be observed by the Council during the 2005 Easter Holiday weekend. You can still contact us at any time on 349 0001.

Municipal Office Building
Closed from Good Friday, 25 March to Easter Monday, 28 March 2005, inclusive.

Recycling
The 'SaveMart' Wanganui Recycling Centre in Peat Street, opposite the netball courts, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your cardboard, newspapers, plastic bottles, aluminium cans, steel cans and textiles. Free drop-off.

Information Centre
Open 9.00am - 3.00pm on Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday.

Sarjeant Gallery
Closed Good Friday.
Open 10.30am - 4.30pm on Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

Whanganui Regional Museum
Closed Good Friday.
Open 10.00am - 4.30pm on Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

District Library Services
Closed Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday.
Open 10.00am - 8pm on Tuesday, 29 March

The Mobile Branch Library will be open for service outside the Davis on Queens Park on Easter Saturday (9.00am-4.30pm) and Easter Sunday (11.00am-4.30pm).

Attention is also drawn to the After Hours Services listed in the Telephone Directory under "Wanganui District Council".

Public Invitation
Thursday, 7 April 2005

Dedication of a memorial plaque to the Merchant Navy
and those who served in World War II

An invitation is extended to the public to attend a dedication ceremony of a plaque in memory of seamen who lost their lives while serving with the Merchant Navy during World War I 1914-1918 and World War II 1939-1945.

The plaque will also be dedicated to those who served in World War II.

This dedication ceremony will take place on:

Thursday, 7 April 2005, at 3.00pm at the War Memorial Cenotaph in Queens Park, Wanganui

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Economic - Tuesday, March 29
- Presentation by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Arts, Culture and Heritage Trust report, progress report on Wanganui Inc, Economic Development Summit, Wanganui District Council Holdings Ltd - Half-Year Report and Statement of Intent, Six-weekly statistics update.

Audit & Administration - Thursday, March 31 (3pm, Pioneer Room, Memorial Hall)
- Code of Conduct hearing

Council - Monday, April 4 (Pioneer Room, Memorial Hall)
- The Council will consider the reports from all the Committee meetings held during March.

Strategy - Monday, April 4 (9am to 3.00pm) and Tuesday, April 5 (9am)
- 2005/06 Draft Annual Plan

Council - Tuesday, April 5 (immediately following Strategy Committee meeting)
- To adopt 2005/06 Draft Annual Plan

Unless otherwise noted all meetings are held at 4pm 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.