A three-day cycle journey travelling the entire length of the Mountains to Sea section of the National Cycle Trails starts today and will end at Wanganui’s North Mole with a ceremony at 3.00pm on Saturday, April 28.

The Cycle Trail is a regional project involving Wanganui District Council, Ruapehu District Council, iwi, tourism and community groups and the Department of Conservation (DoC). The ride traverses two iconic national parks with outstanding scenery and a rich cultural, historic and natural heritage, and also brings visitors to the urban area of our district. More information is available at www.nzcycletrail.com.

The Old Coach Road section was officially opened in July 2010 at Ohakune and the celebration hikoi has been organised to allow the cycle trail partners, iwi and local communities to showcase their sections of track and the benefits to local businesses and the local and regional economy.

Mayor Annette Main is taking part in the hikoi.

“We have outstanding scenery which provides an incredible backdrop for cycle and walking trails in both districts,” Mayor Main said.

“This cycle trail offers a new way of experiencing the Whanganui River valley and National Park. We know that this is already bringing a new wave of visitors to our district, and that other areas where trails have been established have seen considerable growth.

“Our location at the southern end of the Mountains to Sea trail means visitors will also be able to enjoy a taste of our relaxed way of life when they reach our town.”

The third and final day of the hikoi starts at Pipiriki and finishes at the North Mole, Castlecliff, with a closing ceremony.

Want to be involved in the hikoi?

The public are invited to join in the hikoi and be part of this historic journey.

If you would like to take part in the Whanganui River section of the hikoi (from Pipiriki to Wanganui) on day three, visit www.whanganuiriver.co.nz for accommodation, bike hire and transport options. A special overnight package is available.

On Saturday, April 28, the hikoi will arrive in town and will make its way to the North Mole, the official end point of the cycle trail. Local people can meet up with the hikoi at the following places:

• Whanganui River Road/State Highway 4 junction from 11.00am
• Grassed area by Aramoho Rail Bridge on Anzac Parade side from 11.30am
• Dublin Street Bridge on Somme Parade side from 12 noon onwards

Participants in the hikoi will be travelling in groups at a variety of speeds - the above timings are anticipated for the fastest cyclists.

The hikoi will assemble on the paved area close to North Mole and will ride together on to the North Mole at 3.00pm where a ceremony will take place.

The ceremony will be attended by Mayor Annette Main, Hon. Chester Borrows, Ruapehu Deputy Mayor Don Cameron, councillors and Iwi representatives as well as representatives from the Department of Conservation.

Three taonga from the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Whanganui River will be placed in the sea to mark the historic journey.

The North Mole will be cordoned off during the ceremony.

The Wanganui District Council has prepared its Draft 10-Year Plan 2012-2022 – and now you have the chance to have your say.

The Draft 10-Year Plan is open for public submissions from 20 April 2012 until 21 May 2012.

A Draft 10-Year Plan Summary will be delivered to letterboxes in the Wanganui District. This document outlines the key information in the Draft 10-Year Plan and includes a submission form.

If you want more detailed information, copies of the draft 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 our web site's Have Your Say 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: wdc@wanganui.govt.nz

Please remember to include your name, contact details and whether you want to speak about your submission at the Council hearing on June 11.

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 Monday, 21 May 2012.

The popular ‘dial the news’ service, provided by Wanganui District Library, is looking for volunteers.

The service has been running for more than 20 years and was initially put in place to serve the needs of sight-impaired people but it is used by a broad range of people.

The 20-minute daily recording consists of local news and other items of interest selected from the Wanganui Chronicle. Volunteers select and make the recordings six days a week.

In 2010 the service won an ‘Extra Touch’ award from the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand. Margaret Seabrook from the Wanganui Branch of the Association of Blind Citizens nominated council staff who deliver the service for the award which recognises people or organisations which do that little bit extra to aid blind people or make their lives easier in some way.

If you would like to become a ‘dial the news’ volunteer, contact Jeremy Barlow, Operations Manager, Wanganui Library, phone (06) 349 1000.

To hear ‘dial the news’ phone (06) 349 3290.

Find out about the "safe man, safe family" event happening in Wanganui on May 3 (PDF, 78KB)

Have you checked out the South Beach Café recently?

Wanganui’s own airport café is open 6.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 1.30pm Saturday and 8.30am to 4.00pm Sunday.

With Havoc Coffee, roasted in Wanganui, and homemade pies, muffins and slices, you have the choice to eat in or take away (and you can take your coffee on the plane).

A breakfast menu is available until 11.00am as well as options from our menu board. South Beach Café also caters for morning teas, lunches etc with prices available on request. Phone (06) 348 0111 for more information.

There’s a special offer for senior citizens - present your gold card and receive 10% discount until 31 May 2012.

Why not come out between flights (9.30am–11.30am or 1.00pm–3.30pm) and enjoy our relaxing atmosphere?

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – April 30 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)
The Council will consider the reports from Committee meetings held in April along with reports direct to Council: Dog Control Fees 2012/13; Delegation to Independent Commissioner Under Section 34 of the Resource Management Act; Plan Changes 19, 20 and 21 Adoption and Operative Dates; District Plan Review Phase 3 Heritage Review Consultation; Regional Land Transport Programme Submission; Submission to Horizons’ 10-Year Plan; Submission to Regional Women’s Health Service. Confidential: Waimarie Operating Trust; Whanganui River Road Funding; Chief Executive’s Report.

Wanganui District Councils’ Forestry Joint Committee – May 7 (3.00pm, Committee Room 2)

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.