Work has been under way to get water from the new Abelard Bore into the city supply from Thursday, February 5.

It's one of the measures the Council is putting in place to help compensate for the loss of No. 3 Bore at Kai Iwi, which normally supplies about one-third of the city's water. The pump at No. 3 Bore suddenly stopped working on January 23 after many of the screens around the hole failed, allowing sand to get into the pump.

Another pump has been put down the hole at No. 3 Bore to take free-flow water into the city supply. However, it is only providing 60 litres per second instead of the bore's usual 115 litres per second. The lower flow ensures that sand is not entering the supply.

Meanwhile, the focus has turned to the new soft water bores, which are under construction at Westmere, to provide additional capacity.

A temporary pipeline has been constructed, connecting Abelard to the reservoir. This includes an under-road crossing at State Highway 3. Specialist connections, valves and controls have been built and installed to enable the water to be fed into the city supply from February 5. The photos show work in progress at Abelard.

Work is also continuing at Heloise, the other soft water bore. However, it will take longer to get this bore on-stream.

The ban on use of domestic garden sprinklers remains in place as another measure to ensure adequate water supply to Wanganui over the summer's peak water consumption period.

The 2009 ACC NZ Masters Games is taking place in Wanganui until Sunday, February 8. The event attracts thousands of entrants locally, from across New Zealand and from all over the world.

The Games would not be possible without the large number of local people (around 200) who volunteer their time to help with all aspects of organisation and delivery of the Games.

Mayor Michael Laws wants to thank all the volunteers associated with the Masters Games.

"They make the Games happen," he said.

"After the Games have finished I intend to hold a special reception to formally thank them for their service. All of Wanganui gains from their endeavour & enterprise."

View poster (PDF, 121KB)

The ninth annual Whanganui Artists Open Studios will be taking place over two consecutive weekends – March 21-22 and March 28-29. Organisers anticipate that more than 50 artists and collectives will participate in the event which sees artists welcoming members of the public into their studios to discuss and view their work.

In addition to studio spaces, there will be special exhibitions held in diverse places including main street shops, cafes, restaurants and the Observatory.

Event Organiser Jo Ockey says "the Artists Open Studios show a really positive side to Wanganui – a city-wide celebration of the arts. The Artists Open Studios only exist as a result of the support from a wide cross-section of the community, funding from Wanganui District Council's Impact Fund, private companies and grants and donations made by individual patrons".

The following arrangements will be observed by the Council on Waitangi Day. For urgent matters, you can contact us any time on (06) 349 0001.

Municipal Office Building
Closed

i-SITE Visitor Centre
Open 9.00am to 3.00pm

Wanganui District Library
Closed

Sarjeant Gallery
Open 10.30am to 4.30pm

Whanganui Regional Museum
Open 10.00am to 4.30pm

Royal Wanganui Opera House
Closed

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

After hours services are listed in the telephone directory under 'Wanganui District Council'.

The Council is undertaking a policy review of the management of the Wanganui War Memorial Hall and we are seeking public feedback. We encourage you to have your say.

The vision for the War Memorial Hall is to provide a high quality facility that caters for a range of community and commercial activities, while preserving our historic heritage.

The goals of the Wanganui War Memorial Draft Policy are:

• To promote the War Memorial Hall, and Concert Chamber within the hall, as a versatile community and conference venue.
• To ensure the accessibility of the War Memorial Hall complex for public use.
• To recognise and preserve the building's historic classification.
• To retain the building as a memorial to those who gave their lives for their country in World War II.
• To encourage optimal use of the hall to cater for a range of community and commercial events.

The draft policy covers:

• Facility management
• Parking
• Use and trading hours
• Charging
• General bookings

A key component of the draft policy is that the hall shall not be available for rental by transient, itinerant traders. The intention of this is to ensure our local businesses and economy are supported.

Copies of the draft Wanganui War Memorial Policy and feedback forms are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, at the Customer Service Desk at the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, phone (06) 349 0001, the District Library, Queens Park, Wanganui, and on this page.

The consultation period closes on 13 March 2009 at 5.00pm.

Your feedback is welcomed and should be addressed to:
Wanganui District Council War Memorial Hall Draft Policy
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui 4540

Other methods of delivering your feedback:

• Deliver to the Customer Services desk at 101 Guyton Street
• Fax to the Council on (06) 349 0000
• Email us

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Economic Development Officer - Visitors and Events
Applications close 18 February 2009

Customer Services Advocate
Applications close 16 February 2009

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Youth – Monday, February 9 (4.00pm)

Council – Extraordinary Meeting – Monday, February 16 (approximately 4.00pm or immediately following Elected Members' Workshop held to discuss the Draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019)
- The purpose of the meeting is to adopt the Draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019 prior to its review by Audit. It is expected that this item will be taken with the public excluded. The Draft 10-Year Plan document is to remain confidential until released for community consultation on 17 March 2009.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, February 18 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2)

Community Development – Tuesday, February 24

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 – Hearings Committee

As there is no business to transact, the Hearings Committee meeting scheduled for February 12 has been cancelled.