Mayor Michael Laws has hailed the proposed redevelopment of the riverfront area as "a historic opportunity to remake the centre and the living heart of Wanganui".

Last week interested parties packed the Council Chamber to hear about the council's vision for the riverfront and to begin an extensive communication process about its future development.

"The future of Wanganui – both city and district – is our river. Last year's national survey identified the river as our most identifiable feature. It is not simply nationally but internationally renown.

"However, past generations displayed an aversion to the river and deliberately built away from it. My council's vision is to embrace our unique waterway and to develop a distinct riverfront precinct. We want to collaborate with both the commercial and community sectors in developing the area and its attraction," Mayor Laws told the gathering.

Wanganui's $120M wastewater project has removed sewage from the river and generally regained it as a major recreational resource.

Since 2005 the district council has made a number of decisions that have put a positive focus on the riverfront area, including the new boardwalk and subsidising the re-siting of an integrated UCOL campus.

Council then made the key decision – late last year - to construct and locate a new Visitor Centre (design pictured above) on the riverfront and create a new frontispiece for Wanganui. Other factors contributing to the rejuvenation of the area include the creation of inner city apartments, refurbishment of heritage buildings, the Saturday market, the Waimarie and tram developments.

"The riverfront redevelopment fits with council's family-friendly strategy but it is also an opportunity to relaunch Wanganui on the national stage in terms of its image and promotion. Council has budgeted $1.7M over 10 years for that purpose and it will be a key focus this year.

"We have the opportunity to recapture the magic of the late 19th century when the Whanganui River was regarded as one of the wonders of the western world."

The concept plan

A subcommittee of councillors, council staff and Wanganui District Council Holdings directors has developed a concept plan for the riverfront, with the new Visitor Centre being the catalyst. The concept plan is a starting point only and no ideas are "set in concrete".

Key aspects include a pedestrian focused area, recognition of heritage values, developing a mixed use space with a mixture of residential, commercial and public spaces.

The redevelopment is likely to result in new traffic routes through the Old Town area and relocating the district arterial route to Ridgway, Guyton or Ingestre Street. There is likely to be the use of traffic calming techniques such as one-way streets and paving texture.

The Visitor Information Centre

Work will begin soon on the new Visitor Centre, with the official opening scheduled for mid-September.

The building on the corner of Taupo Quay and Drews Avenue will house not only a visitor information centre but a Wanganui Shop, café and audio-visual space for the 'Wanganui story'. There is the potential to establish a Museum of Glass. There will be a public toilet with 24/7 access.

The interior will reflect the importance of the river to Wanganui and include a contemporary pare, river marine life aquarium and Wanganui bush display.

The design features a large atrium which will open up the structure of the building providing a sense of light and space.

"The redevelopment project will change whole face of the riverfront, with the aim of turning it into a major commercial and recreational area," Mayor Laws said.

Creating a meaningful comparison between councils is always challenging. Every local council in New Zealand has a different set of factors including population size and growth, geography, natural resources, levels of service and the quality of services it chooses to provide.

Every council operates according to its own financial strategy, which is tailored to reflect each community's needs and meet legislative requirements.

Wanganui's financial strategy has various components, including the acknowledgement that Wanganui is not a wealthy community. The strategy follows the principle of inter-generational equity and recognises that most of council's current debt was created by major infrastructure projects.

The table below compares the level of debt with rates income for various councils. The ratio shown is the debt to rates income. This could be used to compare the ability of a council to service its debt.

Wanganui District Council could choose to raise rates levels to pay off debt and be debt free; however, the cost of this would be prohibitive to most Wanganui households.

Setting the amount of rates income, acceptable debt and providing levels and quality of services, as well as capital developments, is a balancing act. This will be consulted on as part of this year's Annual Plan deliberations.

Get your family together and get on your bikes for the annual Mayoral Family Bike Challenge - let's beat the rest of New Zealand for the title of "Cycle Mad City".

This year's challenge starts and finishes at the Big Pumpkin in Kowhai Park. Mayor Michael Laws will lead the ride on a 4.5km flat route, suitable for all ages – with just a small amount of actual on-road riding.

The route will include Dublin Street Bridge and the new shared pathway along Somme Parade. All road rules must be obeyed and the riders must have helmets and roadworthy bicycles. Children under 10 years must have adult supervision.

There are spot prizes to be won, including an Avanti bike worth $700 and a prize for the best Hi Visibility cyclist. Free apples and water are available to all riders after the event.

Wanganui will get a point for each participant and compete against other New Zealand 'cycle mad' cities. In 2008 Wanganui was 9th in our group of cities/districts between 11,000 and 58,000 population and in 2009 Wanganui came 4th.

Participants should meet at the Big Pumpkin at 9.30am with the ride setting off at 10.00am.

The start of the year means some of our current Youth Councillors are leaving to pursue new and exciting interests including work and study.

We are looking for approximately six new Youth Councillors to take their place.

The Youth Committee is made up of 18 young people aged between 12 and 24 years selected to 'speak up and be heard' on all issues, on behalf of youth in the Wanganui District.

This role is recognised by the Wanganui District Council's official committee structure, which ensures the voice of the Youth Committee is heard and is able to influence Council's decision making.

If you'd like to know more, or know someone who you think is perfect for the role, check out the application form.

Application forms are available online, from the Council's Customer Services Desk at 101 Guyton Street and at the District Library, Queens Park.

Applications close on 26 February 2010.

Details about the following vacancies are available on this page:

Development Engineer
Applications close 19 February 2010

Water/Wastewater Engineer (fixed term, parental leave cover)
Applications close 19 February 2010

The Wanganui District Council is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Thursday, February 18 (Council Chamber, 3.00pm)
- Elected Members' Remuneration for period 1 July 2010 – Triennial Election Day October 2010; Hearings Committee Membership and Process; Water Softening Project Update; Membership Te Kahui Tupua. Confidential Items: Wanganui Gas Ltd Update; Port – Update on Legal Issues.

Community Development – Tuesday, February 23 (Council Chamber, 3.00pm)
- Community and Cultural Portfolio Activity Report; Safer Wanganui; Youth Committee; Computer Clubhouse; Iwi Liaison; Pensioner Housing Review; Plaques and Memorials Draft Policy Amendments (4.00pm); SuperGold Card – Parking Exemption (4.30pm); Waste Minimisation; Public Rubbish Bins – Update; Policy and Planning Activity Report; Property Group Activity Report; Bequest to Council – Estates of Christian and Belle Alexander; Queens Park Reserve: Road Legalisation; Update on Virginia Lake Algal Bloom Control.

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, March 2 (Council Chamber, 3.00pm)

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
Council – Monday, February 22