In Referendum '09 residents are being asked to vote on five key proposals included in the Draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019. The first of these is:

Should the Visitor Information Centre be relocated to Moutoa Quay/Riverfront?

The Visitor Information Centre is currently located next to the Council Building. It has limited space, is poorly sited for visitors and no longer suitable for its purpose. Council owns land and buildings in the Moutoa Quay/Riverfront area, identified as an ideal site for a new and upgraded Visitor Information Centre.

The development of a new Visitor Centre in a riverfront location is planned for in the 2010/11 financial year at a projected cost of $1.03M – to be funded by loan over 25 years. The individual cost to residential ratepayers would be an average of $1.15 per year.

Advantages of relocating the centre

• A more central and accessible place will result in increased awareness of what Wanganui has to offer – both to visitors and to residents.
• The relocated centre will be a state-of-the-art building - much larger and offering increased facilities such as parking, services and space to promote local events and attractions.
• The Riverfront area is being developed with the boardwalk, River Traders Market, the PS Waimarie, the Tram Shed and other attractions. This area is a natural draw to both visitors and residents and the centre fits well within this development.
• The current building occupied by the centre could be used for much needed additional work space for the council.

Disadvantages of relocating the centre

• This would lead to an additional increase in rates for residential ratepayers.
• The current Visitor Information Centre is located next to the council building. This provides a central 'civic' area for visitors to the city. Moving the centre to the Riverfront could lose the links between council and visitors.

The second question in Referendum '09 asks:

Should a small levy be imposed upon all businesses and households for the purpose of promoting Wanganui nationally – as a residence and a place to visit?

Wanganui residents know that the city is a great place to live and work – but we need to tell the rest of New Zealand. We need to attract more people to live and work here and combat our declining population. Fewer people means less services and higher rates.

Council is proposing a promotional levy of $5.00 per household per year and $50.00 per business per year. This would generate approximately $180,000 per year to spend on image-building, promotional and advertising campaigns. It would begin in the 2009/10 financial year.

Advantages of a promotional levy

• Provide substantial funding to promote Wanganui as a great place to live and work.
• Without a levy to fund this activity, there would be inadequate promotion of our city to potential residents and visitors.
• Attracting more visitors will create jobs and boost the local economy.

Disadvantages of a promotional levy

• There is no guarantee that a promotional campaign would achieve its ends.
• Retailers and tourism businesses should be the organisations and businesses who pay for this activity, rather than the general ratepayer.

Details of the other questions in Referendum '09 will be published in Community Link in the coming weeks.

If you want to have your say on the issues in Referendum '09, make sure you return your voting papers to the council no later than 5.00pm on Thursday, 21 May 2009. People registered to vote in the Wanganui District will receive their voting papers in the post next week.

The Wanganui District Council has prepared its Draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019 – and now you have the chance to have your say.

The Draft 10-Year Plan is open for public submissions from 14 April 2009 until 21 May 2009.

A Draft 10-Year Plan Summary will be posted to everyone registered on the Wanganui electoral roll. This document outlines the key information in the Draft 10-Year Plan.

Referendum '09 is being held in conjunction with the Draft 10-Year Plan consultation. Voting papers, and a reply-paid envelope, will be included in the pack posted to registered voters in late April.

Issues for Referendum '09 include:

• Spelling of Wanganui
• Relocation of the Visitor Information Centre
• A small levy to promote Wanganui nationally
• Potential sale of Energy Direct, the retail trading arm of Wanganui Gas
• Potential transfer of ownership of part or all of Council's pensioner housing complexes
• Preferred rates increase for 2009/10

If you want more detailed information about the Draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019, copies of the plan are available:

• From the Customer Services Desk at the Council building, 101 Guyton Street, or by phoning Customer Services on (06) 349 0001.
• From the Wanganui District Library.
• On this page
• By emailing us

Submissions can be made in the following ways:

Post to: Draft 10-Year Plan Submissions, Wanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Wanganui
Fax to: (06) 349 0000
Deliver to: Customer Services Desk, Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
Email us
Online

Please remember to include your name, contact details and whether you want to speak about your submission at the hearings on June 2 and 4.

All submissions will be acknowledged and considered by the Council. Copies of each submission will be made publicly available when the Council considers submissions.

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Thursday, 21 May 2009.

On Tuesday, April 28, Mayor Michael Laws will host a civic function to launch the Vintage Car Club Rally which will be held in Wanganui in January 2012.

This is a major event for the city to host and will attract visitors from across New Zealand and internationally. It is expected that more than 1000 entries will be received for the 12-day event and it will have a huge impact on the local economy.

Although almost three years away, planning is already under way for the event, which will be centred around Springvale Park and Wanganui Racecourse. The event is receiving sponsorship from Vero and is proudly supported by Wanganui District Council.

The Maxwell Anzac Day Service will be held at the Maxwell Memorial at 9.30am on Saturday, 25 April 2009.

If wet, the service will be held in the Maxwell Hall. An invitation to attend the service is extended to residents and the public.

The following holiday arrangements will be observed by the Wanganui District Council on ANZAC Day. However, for urgent enquiries you can contact us at any time on (06) 349 0001.

Municipal Office Building
Closed

i-SITE Visitor Centre
Open 9.00am - 3.00pm

Wanganui District Library
Closed

Sarjeant Gallery
Open 1.00pm - 4.30pm

Whanganui Regional Museum
Open 10.00am - 4.30pm

Royal Wanganui Opera House
Open for door sales 6.45pm

Recycling
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'.

Fundraising for Hospice and Wanganui Festival of Glass. Read more (PDF, 54KB).

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Monday April 27
- The Council will consider the reports from Committee meetings held in April along with the following Reports Direct to Council – Cooks Gardens Trust Board Financial Status; Whanganui River Enhancement Charitable Trust 2008 Annual Report; Building Infringements; District Plan Change 13: Windsor Terrace; Councillors' Reports. Confidential items: Chief Executive's Report; Wanganui District Holdings Ltd's Report; Wanganui Glass School – UCOL Agreement; Web Portal for Wanganui; National Perceptions of Wanganui – Survey Results.

Youth – Monday, May 4 (4.00pm)

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, May 13 (Committee Room 2, 4.00pm)

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.