"You beauties ... you legends!"

That was the message Mayor Michael Laws delivered to the Wanganui rugby team in their changing room, after their outstanding Meads Cup final win against Mid Canterbury by 27 points to 12. The match was televised nationally and a huge crowd of over 6000 people packed Cooks Gardens.

When coach Guy Lennox and the Wanganui-based Heartland XV players return from their tour of the United States, the council will be hosting a main street parade and an official mayoral reception. As well, council has passed the following resolution:

"That the Wanganui rugby representative team of 2008 be accorded the honour of 'Freedom of the City', as conferred by the Wanganui District Council, in recognition of their outstanding sporting achievement in winning the Meads Cup for 2008; for their unbeaten season in the Heartland Championship; and for being ranked the No.1 team in the NZ Rugby Union's Heartland Championship for 2008; and for conducting themselves at all times in a manner that brings recognition and credit to our city and district."

Wanganui's revamped airport and the riverfront walkway have both recently received national recognition.

Wanganui Airport won the Interspace Regional Airport of the Year award for 2008. The award was presented at the NZ Airports Association Gala Dinner, held at the Auckland Hilton.

"It's fantastic to get this recognition for Wanganui," Deputy Dot Mayor McKinnon said.

"Wanganui people told us in Referendum '05 that upgrading our airport was important to them – it ranked fourth of 14 topics. We then spent two years working on improvements, including upgrading the runway, refurbishing the terminal and generally revitalising the facility.

"We now have a top-class facility for our residents – and one that makes a great first impression on our visitors. The work we have done was pivotal in Wanganui winning this prestigious award."

The award is made annually at the AGM of the NZ Airports Association and is open to all regional airports in New Zealand.

Wanganui's redeveloped riverfront has won a prestigious architectural award. Praxis architect Mark Southcombe, the creative brain behind the riverfront walkway, has been awarded the New Zealand Architecture Award for 2008 in the Urban Design Category.

"Mark's work on this project has achieved outstanding results, as everyone in Wanganui knows – so it's great to see him receive recognition within his profession as well," Deputy Mayor McKinnon said.

"The redevelopment has made such an enormous difference to this key area of our city. It is now a fantastic amenity for residents and visitors and we thank Mark for his inspiring ideas to achieve that."

Both of the award-winning projects were developed following Referendum '05. Further information about the projects for this year's Referendum '08 can be found on the referendum website.

Breakers Skyshow at Cooks Gardens
Saturday, November 1

Forget the expense, dangers and hassles of fireworks at home and bring the whole family to enjoy the spectacular entertainment and pyrotechnics extravaganza at Cooks Gardens.

Breakers Skyshow returns to Cooks Gardens with the promise of a night of spectacular entertainment. There will be the Lone Ryders trick horse riding, V8 Simulator, trampoline display, Mega Slide, Jousting, bouncy castle, mini train rides, 5WWCT Pipe Band and display, food and drink stalls and more.

Plus a magnificent fireworks display to light up the night.

Gates open at 6.30pm. Tickets are $8 for adults, children under 14 years free admission if accompanied by an adult. Buy your tickets at the Royal Wanganui Opera House to avoid delays at the gate. Gate sales will be available.

Voting documents for Referendum '08 will be delivered to letterboxes from Friday, 14 November 2008. Voting closes at 12 noon Saturday, 6 December 2008.

Persons may enrol or amend their enrolment details by:

• completing an enrolment form available at Post Shops, Public Libraries or Council Offices.
• calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56)
• visiting the Elections Website (www.elections.org.nz)

Special Voting Facilities

Special voting facilities will be available during the period Friday, 14 November to Friday, 5 December 2008  (between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday) and from 9.00am to 12 noon Saturday, 6 December 2008, at the Council Office, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Special votes may be claimed by:

• electors who have lost, spoilt or destroyed their ordinary voting documents which they have received in the post.
• persons who have applied to be enrolled but who have not received their ordinary voting documents in the post.

For further information regarding special voting please contact the Electoral Officer on (06) 349 0001.

Wanganui District Council is proposing to introduce a Neighbour Responsibility Bylaw.

The proposed Wanganui District Council Neighbour Responsibility Bylaw 2008 ("the Bylaw") seeks to regulate and manage activity on private property that may interfere with a person's right to the beneficial use and ordinary enjoyment of their land.

The Bylaw specifically seeks to provide protection to the community from nuisances caused by noise including intruder alarm systems, graffiti, litter, public health matters and offensive materials.

Submissions may be made on the proposal.

Copies of the Summary of Information, Statement of Proposal, the Neighbour Responsibility Bylaw 2008 and also submission forms, are available from the Customer Services Counter at the Wanganui District Council Municipal Building, 101 Guyton Street and at the District Library, Queens Park during normal opening hours. The documents are also available on this page, by emailing us or by telephoning Customer Services on (06) 349 0001.

Submissions should be addressed to:
The Chief Executive
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Monday, 1 December 2008.

Wanganui District Council is proposing to introduce a Water Supply Bylaw.

Council has determined that the most appropriate way to address the management of water supplies, owned and operated by the Council, is by way of Bylaw in the proposed form.

Submissions may be made on the proposal.

Copies of the Proposed Water Supply Bylaw Statement of Proposal, the Draft Water Supply Bylaw and also submission forms, are available from the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, and at the District Library, Queens Park, during normal opening hours. The documents are also available by emailing us or by telephoning Customer Services on (06) 349 0001.

Submissions should be addressed to:

The Chief Executive
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
101 Guyton Street
Wanganui

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Friday, 14 November 2008.

Notice is given under Section 28 (1) of the Local Electoral Act 2001 that electors of the Wanganui District Council have the right to demand a poll on the electoral system to be used for the 2010 triennial elections of the Wanganui District Council.

The Wanganui District Council resolved on 2 September 2008 to continue with the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system for the 2010 election, unless a poll determines otherwise. The Local Electoral Act 2001 provides for the choice between the First Past the Post (FPP) and Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral systems.

A valid demand for a poll must be:

• Made in writing.
• Signed by at least 5 percent of the number of electors enrolled as eligible to vote at the 2007 triennial election of the Wanganui District Council. This will require 1536 signatures of current electors.
• Delivered to the principal office of the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, by Saturday, 28 February 2009, but note that under section 35(6) of the Interpretation Act 1999, the final day on which poll demands can be received is 2 March 2009.

Section 30 (3) of the Local Electoral Act states that every elector who signs a demand must also set out their name and the address for which they are qualified as an elector of the Wanganui District Council.

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Receptionist
Applications close 31 October 2008

Health & Safety Advisor
Applications close 2 November 2008

Rural residents are invited to attend a meeting with Wanganui Rural Community Board representatives to discuss a range of matters.

Fordell residents
When: 7.00pm Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Where: Fordell Hall

Mowhanau residents
When: 7.00pm Thursday, 20 November 2008
Where: Mowhanau-Rapanui Community Hall

The Board looks forward to meeting the community and hearing its views.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Monday, November 3
- The Council will receive all reports from Committee meetings held in October 2008 along with reports direct to Council – Disposal of Local Purpose (Neighbourhood) Reserve 3 Kotuku Street – Rezoning from Reserves and Open Space to Residential; Meeting Schedule for 2009; Sister City Relationship – Nagaizumi-cho, Japan; Freedom of the City for 2008 Wanganui Rugby Representative Team. Confidential Items: Wanganui District Council Holdings Ltd's Report; Sale of Industrial Lease Site; Acting Chief Executive's Report.

Wanganui District Councils' Joint Forestry Committee – Tuesday, November 11 (Committee Room 2) – to be confirmed.

Youth – Monday, November 17 (4.00pm)

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, November 19 (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.

Meeting cancellation – As there is no business to transact, the Hearings Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 13, has been cancelled.