Wanganui hosts some of the world's top rowers this week, with a number of events in the lead-up to the Prospace Billy Webb Challenge on the Whanganui River on Sunday, November 29.

Pictured are Mahe Drysdale and Olaf Tufte in last year's event.

The main drawcards for Sunday's regatta will be leading international single scullers Mahe Drysdale, Tim Maeyens, Emma Twigg and Sally Kehoe. A civic function will be held in the Council Chamber on Thursday evening to welcome the athletes to Wanganui.

At 5.00pm on Friday there will be races to decide the wildcards to join the top rowers in Sunday's event. Members of the public have the opportunity to meet and greet the athletes at a function at Wanganui Collegiate on Friday night. Tickets are available from i-SITE Visitor Centre.

Wanganui Rowing's Jury Cup regatta takes place on Saturday, attracting rowing clubs from throughout the North Island and upper South Island.

The Billy Webb Challenge is on Sunday morning and will include corporate races starting at the City Bridge, entertainment and food stalls – and of course the excitement of seeing the world's leading scullers on the Whanganui River.

Sunday's programme is:

9.45am Interviews on Wanganui Chronicle stage
10.00am Powhiri/challenge/kapa haka
10.50am Women's race start
11.30am Men's race start
12.15pm Awards presentation

Billy Webb Challenge website

The Whanganui City Bridge from Taupo Quay to Anzac Parade will be closed on Sunday, November 29, from 6.00am to 1.00pm to permit safe spectator viewing of the Billy Webb Challenge event.

Wanganui's Youth Committee invites you to Picnic in the Park to be held in the Kowhai Park playground area from 11.30am to 2.30pm on Saturday, December 5.

Last year more than 800 people attended Picnic in the Park. The success of that event has led to the Picnic in the Park becoming an annual event to be held on the first Saturday in December.

The Youth Committee is promoting it as an opportunity for families to have a stress-free time together during an often stressful period. Once again, the event is supporting the Violence Intervention Network anti-violence message "It's not OK".

Bring a picnic and sunshade and enjoy the park surrounds as well as the activities provided by the Youth Committee. These will include cow pat raffle, bouncy castle, face painting, clowns, games, music and entertainers (plus a stage for anyone to show off their talents!), sausage sizzle.

Going to the Big Day Out 2010? If you're aged between 16 and 20, the WDC Youth Committee can help you get to Auckland and back safely with the "Cheapskates $20 Bus to the Big Day Out".

The $20 ticket is for the bus ride to Auckland and back only – it doesn't include a ticket to the BDO (available online), accommodation, food or other transport.

The BDO is on Friday, January 15. The bus departs from i-SITE Visitor Centre at 10.00am on Thursday, January 14, and arrives in Auckland at approximately 6.00pm. The bus departs central Auckland at 10.00am on Saturday, January 16, and arrives in Wanganui about 6.00pm. Trained youth workers Ben Mashiter and Stacey Foskett will for the third year accompany the festival-goers, and are available if required during the entire trip.

Bus tickets are only for Wanganui youth aged 16-20 years who are attending the BDO. Everyone needs to sign a form at purchase and those under 18 must have parental permission. Tickets are available from MyMusic and Cheapskates (both in Victoria Avenue).

The Youth Committee thanks major sponsor Cheapskates and supporting sponsors First Mobile, Tranzit Coachlines and Double S Motordrome.

For more info about the BDO, go to www.bigdayout.com.

Nominations are being sought for the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognise sporting achievements by athletes and coaches who have made a significant impact on Wanganui's sporting heritage.

The current inductees into the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame are:

Gary Anderson (cycling), Philippa Baker-Hogan (rowing), Ernest (Moke) Belliss (rugby), Peter Belliss (lawn bowls), Harry Cave (cricket), Ron Cheatley (cycling coach), Trevor Coker (rowing), Coleman Family - Percy, Rod and Bob (motorcycling), Arthur Holder (athletics), Alan McIntyre (hockey), Bill Osborne (rugby), Arthur Porritt (athletics), Billy Webb (rowing), Les Wilson (hockey).

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, nominees must be from the Wanganui District, by birth or adoption, have been retired at least five years from top competition, represented New Zealand at 'senior' level and/or contributed positively to, and brought credit to, sport in the District.

Nomination forms are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui and on this page.

Nominations close on 8 January 2010.

The Wanganui District Council has significant infrastructure assets in the road corridor. Damage to those assets comes at a cost to the ratepayer of Wanganui.

The Council has introduced an infrastructure bond of $1500 for all Building and/or Resource Consents in relation to demolition, removal and relocation of dwellings and the construction of new dwellings in the city's Urban Zone (excludes Restricted Services Residential and Rural Zones). The enforcement of this infrastructure bond will become effective from Monday, 30 November 2009.

The $1500 bond is refundable at the completion of the work on the proviso that no damage has been done, or any damage that has been done has been repaired to the Council's standards. In addition to the bond, a non-refundable $200 inspection and administration fee will be charged per application.

Companies with multiple house consents may apply to the Wanganui District Council's Chief Executive to have their bonds reviewed. If granted, the applicant must fill out an Acceptance of Liability form to cover the sites that a bond has not been taken for. The non-refundable $200 inspection and administration fee will still apply (for each application).

Infrastructure Bond forms will be available from the Customer Services desk in the main Council Building. These forms will be filled out in conjunction with a Building Consent or Resource Consent.

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Archivist
Applications close 30 November 2009

Library - Team Members Frontline Services (3 positions)
Applications close 7 December 2009

Health & Safety Advisor
Applications close 7 December 2009

Council – Monday, December 14
- The Council will consider any outstanding reports, along with reports direct to Council.

The meeting will be 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.