Cash rewards to identify serial taggers are being offered through the Council's new "dob a yob" scheme – and it's already proved successful.

Three taggers were identified and arrested for intentional damage after a reward was offered for information about the vandalism of the Alexander Library. One offender appeared in court last week and was convicted, sentenced to 40 hours community work and required to pay reparation of $412 to the Wanganui District Council. Two others have been referred to Youth Aid.

The reward of $700 has been paid. It was made up of $500 offered by Mayor Michael Laws and $100 each from two anonymous donors.

Another reward was offered after the Splash Centre was targetted by taggers. Wanganui citizens and businesses pledged an additional $600 to Mayor Laws' $500. One person has been charged with intentional damage and two others are likely to be referred to Youth Aid. However, this time the offenders were identified separately to the reward process.

Mayor Laws said that in both cases, the response from the public had been excellent.

"It is my intention that those responsible publicly identify themselves, accept their responsibility, apologise and atone. That is the lesson all taggers need to get – you will be found, convicted and required to stand before the public. Do something useful with your lives other than gain a criminal conviction."

Graffiti vandalism can be reported to the Council's Graffiti Hotline, phone 349 0500.

Enhancing the southern entrance to Wanganui is the initial focus of the Council's Entranceways Project.

In January the Council resolved to initiate a project with Transit New Zealand and other interested parties to provide an attractive and functional entranceway from Marybank to Liffiton Street on State Highway 3.

The goal is to have the most attractive city entrance in New Zealand and to draw travellers into the city rather than them passing straight through.

Transit has been undertaking seismic retrofitting of the Cobham Bridge and plans to do some work along the State Highway to deal with drainage and flooding issues.

Architect Mark Southcombe was engaged to provide concept plan options for an improved entranceway and these will be presented to the Council at a workshop next week.

The public is invited to attend the workshop which will be held in the Council Chamber at 3.00pm on Friday, May 30.

We want to find out about your vision for Wanganui's future.

You can have your say by answering a few simple questions on this page (submissions closed on 30 June 2008).

Or come along and talk to us at the River Traders Market on Saturday, May 24, and June 7.

You are invited to attend a public meeting to discuss the proposed rezoning of 9 Birch Place and 357 Somme Parade, as well as the uplifting of their Reserve status.

Representatives from Wanganui District Council Property Group and their Planning Consultants, Opus International Consultants, will be in attendance.

The meeting will be held at Churton School Hall from 5.30pm-7.30pm on Thursday, May 29.

Footpath upgrading programme update

Work is continuing on the urban footpath renewal programme for 2007/08.

The programme is scheduled to continue through until August 2008 and may vary during that time. Some upgrades have been deferred due to other works. Regular updates will be published in Community Link.

Footpaths

Work is programmed to be carried out on the following sections of footpath:

Kerb and channel renewal programme

Subsoil drains renewals

Vacancies

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Glass Development Project Manager
Applications close May 22

Animal Control Officer - Team Leader
Applications close May 25

Customer Services Manager
Applications close May 25

Summary of Information

In accordance with Section 83(1)(a)(i) of the Local Government Act 2002 and the Gambling Act 2003, the Wanganui District Council gives notice of its intention to review the Gambling Venue Policy 2004. Submissions are now invited on the review.

Process
The review of the Wanganui District Council's Gambling Venue Policy 2004 will be publicly advertised and submissions invited from 17 April 2008 to 23 May 2008. The Wanganui District Council will hear submissions and determine the policy in June 2008.

Information
Further information relating to the Gambling Venue Policy 2004 is available from Customer Services, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui or may be obtained from Customer Services, Wanganui District Council, phone (06) 349 0001, fax (06) 349 0000 or email us.

Further information includes:

• Gambling Venue Policy 2004 – policy being reviewed
• Statement of Proposal – Gambling Venue Policy

Submission process
Submissions should be in writing and addressed to:

Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui
Attention: Stuart Hylton

To assist the submission and hearing process please endeavour when making a submission to –

• Refer to a specific point or rule within the Gambling Venue Policy 2004 (use heading references).
• State whether you support or oppose the specific point or rule.
• State clear reasoning for your decision.
• State what change, if any, you would like the Council to make.
• State whether you personally want to be heard in respect of your submission.
• Ensure your full contact details are supplied.

Submissions close on Friday, 23 May 2008.

The by-election for a new Wanganui District Councillor will be held in June.

A by-election is required following the resignation of Cr Marty Lindsay who is taking up a career opportunity in Australia.

Wanganui District Council Electoral Officer Noeline Moosman has set the by-election date for Saturday, June 21.

Nominations for candidates closed on Friday, May 2.

Voting will be by postal voting. The voting period will be from Friday, 30 May 2008, to 12 noon Saturday, 21 June 2008.

More information is available on this page.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council Meeting – Thursday, May 22 (9.00am-4.00pm)
- Hearings of Submissions to Draft Annual Plan 2008/09.

Youth Committee – Monday, May 26 (4.00pm)
- Appointment of New Youth Councillor; Youth Access to Alcohol; Youth Leaders Conference 2008; Youth Committee Planning Workshop; Graf-Out Project; Youth Committee Action Group Reports; Youth Week; Youth Committee Proposed Budget; Youth Committee Community Initiatives Sponsorship; Youth Project Co-ordinator’s Report.

Council Meeting – Thursday, May 29 (3.00pm-7.00pm)
- Deliberation on Submissions to Draft Annual Plan 2008/09

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, June 4 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2)

Community Development – Tuesday, June 10 (3.00pm)

Hearings – Thursday, June 11 (to be confirmed – 4.00pm, Committee Room 2)

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber, 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.