Wanganui's infrastructure was the focus of a recent familiarisation tour by Mayor Annette Main, councillors and Wanganui Rural Community Board members.

Velodrome
The tour began at the velodrome where cycling guru Ron Cheatley briefed the group on the implications if Wanganui tendered for, and was selected as, a Cycling Centre of Excellence. The Government is proposing to fund a Cycling Centre of Excellence for track, road, BMX and mountain biking and this would require a covered velodrome. Since Invercargill built a covered velodrome, it has become the base for track cycling in New Zealand because events are guaranteed to go ahead regardless of the weather. The Invercargill velodrome is also a well-used, multi-purpose community facility.

Water supply
The Westmere reservoirs were the next destination. Council infrastructure staff outlined the history of Wanganui’s water supply, the age and capacity of the reservoirs and plans for the soft water treatment plant. The internal components of the plant are currently being completed and the building will be in place by the end of the year. The plant should be operational by March next year.

Wastewater
At the wastewater treatment plant near Wanganui Airport, staff explained the treatment process and demonstrated monitoring equipment. Beach Road pump station pumps all wastewater to the treatment plant – an average volume of 27,000 cubic metres per day, of which 49% is trade waste from industries and 51% is domestic. Ultraviolet light is used to treat the effluent for biological compliance before it is discharged 1.8km out to sea through the ocean outfall.

Airport
Wanganui Airport was the next stop, with staff outlining the history of the airport which is jointly owned by the council and the New Zealand government through the Ministry of Transport. The commercial success of the airport is a major focus at present, with a long-term development plan under way for future growth in both aviation and light industry. Wanganui Airport was named New Zealand Regional Airport of the Year in 2008.

Port
The group then toured the Wanganui Port, which the council recently purchased from River City Port Ltd. Long-time harbour master John Blaikie talked about the history of the port and its associated facilities, many of which are not in the best condition. A business plan for future port operations is required and the council will consider seeking a port operator. The next steps for the port will be discussed at today’s Infrastructure and Property Committee meeting.

Picnic in the Park
Saturday, December 4

Wanganui's Youth Committee invites you to the annual Picnic in the Park, at Kowhai Park, from 11.30am to 2.30pm on Saturday, December 4.

This free event is organised and run by the Youth Committee and is a great opportunity for families to enjoy a relaxing and stress-free time together.

Bring a picnic and make the most of the entertainment on offer including a wide range of music styles, clowns and face painting. There’s a free sausage sizzle too!

The mobile library will also be at Kowhai Park during the event, so don’t forget your library card

The event raises money for the Violence Intervention Network and promotes the "It’s not OK" campaign against family violence.

At the Youth Committee meeting on Monday, November 22, two new Youth Councillors were sworn in by Mayor Annette Main and Chair of the Youth Committee, Cr Jack Bullock.

The two vacancies arose from the resignation of Youth Cr Kate McLennan who has chosen to travel overseas and the election of former Youth Cr Jack Bullock, as a Wanganui District councillor.

Therese Verhoek and Jonathon Greenwell were welcomed to the committee for the remainder of the year and will be involved in a range of youth committee activities and projects.

Therese, 17, attends Wanganui High School and joined the youth Committee to promote the youth of Wanganui District Council moving in a positive direction "that tomorrow is better than today".

Jonathon, 23, works at Cleveland Funeral Home and as a Youth Councillor stands for "bringing Wanganui’s major issues to the front and offering what I can to fix and make Wanganui a better city for youth".

Council's pensioner units are for older people with limited means who are able to live independently. We have 16 separate complexes in various parts of the city. The weekly rental is $85.50 for one person and $97.50 per week for couples. These self-contained units include carpets and drapes. The rental includes ground maintenance. Application forms available either at the Property Office, Wanganui District Council or on request.

For further information contact:

Martha Hourigan
Wanganui District Council - Property Group
Phone: (06) 349 3183 or 027 201 2743
Email: martha.hourigan@wanganui.govt.nz

Applications are being accepted for conferencing, events and business development initiatives that deliver significant economic benefits to the Wanganui City and district, taking place before 30 June 2011.

The purpose of the Impact Fund is to provide financial assistance, by way of grant, seeding finance or loan, to events (sports, recreational, cultural, arts and entertainment), business development initiatives and conference initiatives that benefit the Wanganui district economically.

The Impact Fund has traditionally attracted applications specifically for events. This year we are also seeking applications for initiatives and projects focused on new economic opportunities with the following core criteria:

• Economic benefit
• Long term viability
• Organiser/founder capability and credibility
• Overall business feasibility
• Ratio of funding support requested as a percentage of overall budget

Full details of the funding criteria, included with the application form, are available from the Customer Services Desk, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui or by clicking here.

For enquiries, please contact Keith Smith or Greg Lincoln or phone Wanganui District Council on 349 0001.

The water main across the Aramoho rail bridge needs to be shut off to connect the new water main on the bridge. This work will take place on Friday, 26 November 2010.

As a result, residents in Wanganui East may experience low water pressure between 9.00am and 3.00pm on Friday, 26 November 2010.

Wastewater discharge to the Whanganui River

Recreational users are advised of potential health risks arising from the discharge of wastewater to the Whanganui River.

Under the coastal permits issued for the wastewater project, the Council is required to regularly inform the public of these potential risks.

At present, the existing combined sewer and stormwater system may overflow and discharge wastewater into the Whanganui River during periods of rain. However, this overflow will be eliminated progressively as sewage is removed from stormwater systems on both private and public property throughout urban Wanganui.

Property owners are reminded that the deadline to comply was 1 July 2007. All sewage must leave their property in a separate pipe that contains no stormwater.

Recycle your unwanted paint and help wipe out graffiti
Friday, November 26

The Wanganui District Council is working with the Wanganui Resene PaintWise Programme. Wanganui residents can return unwanted paint (no solvents accepted) and paint packaging to the Resene Colour Shop. It is then mixed into varying shades of grey paint. Resene donates the resulting good quality waterborne Resene paint to community groups in Wanganui.

Residents can return up to 10 packs of any brand of paint free of charge.

Where:   Resene Colour Shop, 17 Wilson Street, Wanganui; phone 348 0048
When:    Deliver it on the last Friday of every month
Time:     Between 2.00pm and 4.00pm

You can also help by reporting graffiti as and when it happens. Telephone the Graffiti Hotline 349 0500 for removal of graffiti in highly visible areas of Wanganui.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings, which will commence in the Council Chamber at 2.00pm unless otherwise noted. Details of upcoming meetings are:

Infrastructure and Property – Thursday, November 25

• Infrastructure and Property Committee – terms of reference; Infrastructure projects update; Temporary road closure – Lions Club of Wanganui (Inc) – [Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure) Regulations 1965]; Vehicle dimension and mass rule implementation; Parking restrictions – Drews Avenue (Taupo Quay – Moutoa Quay; Ingestre Street parking restrictions; Roading emergency works from September 2010 wet weather period; Property group activity report; Title – site rationalisation – 9 Karoro Road; Wanganui Multisport and Triathlon Club Inc proposed extension to clubrooms situated in Kowhai Park; Kai Iwi Trust – lease expiry and termination of trust; Wanganui Port (2010) – the way forward. Confidential: Property group activity report; Future of lease – Taupo Quay; Cycling Centre of Excellence: Request for Proposals.

Community and Environment – Tuesday, November 30

• Confidential: Community Contracts – 2010/11 – Family Friendly initiatives/Safer Wanganui strategies – Discussion.
• Open to the public (approximately 2.30pm): Community and Environment Committee – Terms of reference; Community and cultural portfolio activity report; Customer services group activity report; Community Contracts – 2010/11 – Family Friendly initiatives/Safer Wanganui strategies; Wanganui RSA WWII War Memorial proposal; UCOL Regional Advisory Committee report.

Strategy and Finance – Thursday, December 2

Hearing – Friday, December 3 (Committee Room 2, 1.00pm)

• Resource Consent Application: Unrestricted Discretionary Activity to establish a takeaways business at 127 Alma Road.

Council – Tuesday, December 14

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Thursday, December 16 (Committee Room 2, 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.