Exciting opportunities ahead for Whanganui River Road

A recent tour of the Whanganui River Road was an opportunity for our elected representatives to talk to residents, find out about tourism and economic development opportunities and discuss roading and other issues.

Organised by the Wanganui Rural Community Board, the trip also included Mayor Annette Main and councillors as well as representatives from Tamaupoko Runanga, Department of Conservation and Horizons Regional Council. Ruapehu Mayor Sue Morris and Ruapehu District Council representatives joined the group at Pipiriki Marae.

The trip included:

• Visits to the Upokongaro jetty and Upokongaro Hall to consider tourism opportunities, linking the PS Waimarie, Mountains to Sea cycleway and Te Araroa national walkway.
• A stop at Don and Petrine Wickham’s property at Parikino to discuss diversification of farming, crops that succeed in the River Road area and protection of wetlands.
• Discussion of the impact of forestry harvesting in the River Road area and the subsequent delay in completion of the sealing of the road until 2013.
• Information on a possible change to the District Plan to include a river valley development zone.
• Discussions by Ian Moore on forestry and land use geology in the River Road area.
• A visit to Pipiriki Marae to discuss local issues and hear about tourism development.
• Information on funding available through the Whanganui River Enhancement Trust for water quality and other environmental and economic development projects.
• A visit to the recently established Matahiwi Gallery and Café to view locally produced crafts.
• A presentation by Powerco on the standalone BasePower project being trialled by Atihau Incorporated as an alternative to the power grid system.
• A presentation by Chris Scanlon of Atihau Incorporated on development of their land and business, and the importance of technology, both on and off farm.
• An update from David Matthews on rural broadband and his initiative to provide broadband in the Kakatahi area.
• Information on the impact of climate change, enabling diversification into areas such as honey production in the river valley.

Volunteer Community Coordinator

• Karen Wong, on behalf of Natalie Lavery, Director, Ministry of Social Development, Office for Senior Citizens, announced the appointment of Mr Jim Callaghan as the new Wanganui Volunteer Community Coordinator.
• Mr George Bowers was farewelled from this position after being appointed by the Ministry of Senior Citizens in 2003 for years.

Community Presentations

• Robyn Winter from Going Digital spoke of the impact on older people changing over to digital television. Ms Winter is available to speak and provide information to community groups in Wanganui on the changeover to digital television, phone 0800 838 800, email robin.winter@goingdigital.co.nz

St Johns Wanganui – Health shuttle to Palmerston North

• Provide a transport service between Wanganui and Palmerston North.
• Good support from some parts of the community but more awareness of the service was required to ensure the service is sustainable.
• No charge for the service but a donation requested.  For information contact Citizens Advice, phone 345 0844.

Wanganui Cancer Society

• Provide a one-on-one transport service for cancer patients and families – Palmerston North and Wellington.
• Also provide transport service for local trips to doctor and hospital appointments.
• Transport service is free. Contact Wanganui Cancer Society, phone 348 7402.

Age Concern Wanganui

• Has a volunteer driving army of approximately 40 drivers.
• Transport service is for those who live independently in the community and is available to take people to all types of appointments, including supermarkets.  All trips are return service. Donation to driver. Phone 345 1799.

Wanganui 2022
What do you think?

In July 2011, Council undertook a visioning exercise and review of our Family-friendly strategy, which serves as a guide for shaping our future.

Council has looked at where we want to be in 2022 and developed the following vision statement:

Family Friendly Wanganui: the best place to live in New Zealand

• Enjoyed for its lifestyle and sense of community
• Celebrated for its liveability, culture and heritage
• Shaped by our river and environment
• On the path of sustainability and prosperity
• Loved by those who live here

We want to know what you think about Council’s vision for 2022 and how we achieved our aims.

To find out more and give your feedback click here and have your say about our vision and our future.

Splash Centre main pool closure

The main 25m pool at the Splash Centre will be closed at 6.00pm on Monday, October 17, for maintenance. It will open again at 6.00am on Tuesday, October 18.

Commercial building owners – Egress stairs safety check

As a result of the technical investigation conducted by the Department of Building and Housing, the Department has requested that all councils alert building owners of the importance of having their main exit stairs formally assessed. This has come about from the failure of the Forsyth Barr building's stairs in the major aftershock in Christchurch on 22 February 2011.

The Department recommends that owners of buildings to which members of the public have access, including office buildings, engage a chartered professional engineer to assess the main exit stairs. This is to ensure they have sufficient allowance for movement. It particularly applies to buildings that have a scissor stair configuration.

The scope of these checks should be in accordance with the Department's Practice Advisory which is available for download here.

The full findings from the first part of the technical investigation into the Forsyth Barr, Hotel Grand Chancellor and Pyne Gould Corporation buildings can also be found on the Department's website.

Ministry of Health Public Notice

Some plumbing fittings have the potential to allow minute traces of metals to accumulate in water standing in the fittings for several hours.

Although the health risk is small, the Ministry of Health recommends that you flush a mugful of water from your drinking-water tap each morning before use to remove any metals that may have dissolved from the plumbing fittings.

We are recommending this simple precaution for all households, including those on public and private water supplies.

Director-General of Health

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings.
           
Extraordinary Council – October 17 (3.00pm, Council Chamber)

• The purpose of the meeting is to make a decision to submit an application for Government funding for Sarjeant Gallery future improvements.

Youth – October 17 (4.00pm, Council Chamber)

• Whanganui Family Violence Network Street Survey; Underground Fashion Show – Proposal for Sponsorship; Update – Youth Committee Strategic Plan; Promoting Youth Participating in General Elections; 2011 Youth Hui – Levin; $300ships Second Round and Beyond; Event Management Template; Projects Working Party and General Updates; Youth Services Activity Report; Have Your Say; What’s the haps?.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – October 19 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2)

• Stock Effluent Dumping Facilities – Horizons Regional Council’s Position;             
  Rural Community Police Update; Freedom Camping; Irrigation Acceleration Fund; Rural Halls – Earthquake Prone Building Status’; Rural Broadband Update – October 2011; Youth Driving Initiative – August/September Update; Rural Road Trip.

Infrastructure and Property – October 25 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)

Council – October 27 (1.00pm, Council Chamber)

• To adopt Annual Report to 30 June 2011.

Community and Environment – October 27 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)

Strategy and Finance – November 1 (3.00pm, Council Chamber

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.