The October 2009 Bulletin encompasses the following topics:
More (Talking) Books for your Buck
Trees on Broadway, Marton
West Taihape
Banking Changes
Ratana Water
Mangaweka Water
Changes at the Marton Waste Transfer Station
Rangitikei District Council Blog
Community Funding
Scholarship for Rangitikei College
More (Talking) Books for your Buck
Rangitikei District libraries have entered an arrangement with Manawatu and Horowhenua libraries to bring customers more variety in talking books. These books are in CD format, and will be available shortly in Rangitikei libraries. The audio books will rotate around the three districts, increasing the range of titles available. Your local library will have a list of available titles.
Adoption of the Annual Report
Council adopted its Annual Report at its meeting on 29 October. Audit New Zealand representatives were in attendance, and gave Council a positive report on the management of its budget – Council ended the year within $10,000 of its budget.
Council will now begin looking at next year’s budgets and drafting its Annual Plan – which will be available in April 2010.
Trees on Broadway, Marton
In recent years, there has been an investment in security cameras (CCTV) in Broadway, Marton. Unfortunately the trees on the street interfere with visibility, and Council was asked to remove them. The Marton Community Committee considered the request, and agreed that security should be the priority, and the trees should go. This was confirmed by Council at its October meeting. The trees will be removed shortly, and will be replaced by more suitable plants.
West Taihape
Taihape residents will be aware that over the last five years, a study has been undertaken on land movement in the west Taihape area. This was the subject of a public meeting in Taihape in July. Council officers have drafted a consolidated plan for management of all infrastructure in the area, working from the asset information Council holds and the material presented at the public meeting. This was presented to councillors and the Taihape community board members at a workshop recently. Tonkin & Taylor engineers were also on hand to answer questions and make recommendations on future asset management. A site visit was also arranged – although due to the bad weather this was not a long visit! The Taihape Community Board will have the opportunity to make recommendations on the report before Council considers it formally.
Banking Changes
As of 2ndNovember 2009 the Rangitikei District Council is changing banks to Westpac Bank, Marton. This change will have an impact on customers using Direct Credit or Telebanking facilities. These customers should have received notification of the new details from Council, and should contact their bank to update their details.
If you have not heard from Council, and think you may need to update your details, please contact Council on 0800 422 522 or email –
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Ratana Water
Drilling has begun in search of an alternative water source for Ratana. Currently the drillers have reached 100m, and over the next week should reach the target depth of 200m. Once the target depth has been reached, water quality testing will begin.
Mangaweka Water
Funding of $156,000 has been received from the Ministry of Health’s Capital Assistance programme to improve the water quality and infrastructure in Mangaweka. The programme provides funding to support upgrades to drinking water standards in small communities. Physical works will start in the New Year.
Changes at the Marton Waste Transfer Station
From 2 November 2009, trucks and cars towing trailers will be required to use the weighbridge at the Marton Waste Transfer Station, as they will now be charged by weight.
Charges have been set at $95 per tonne, with a $25 minimum charge.
Council recognises that as this is a new charge, users would appreciate an ‘introductory’ period, and has agreed to reduce the charges until 1 July 2010, to $80 per tonne, with a minimum charge of $23.
Standard volume charges will apply to car boot loads, small to medium loads from vans, utes and station-wagons. Vehicles with obviously large loads may be requested to use the weighbridge.
Rangitikei District Council Blog
In addition to its updated website, this month Council has launched a blog forum for discussion. This offers another way for you to communicate your thoughts on particular topics. Links from the website will take you to the blog, or you can go to www.rangitikei.wordpress.com The blog will be on a six month trial, and currently Council is raising topics for discussion. If there is a topic you would like to raise, please log on and leave a comment.
Community Funding
Did you know that NZ Lotteries funding is available for projects and services that have a community or social service focus?
The NZ Lotteries Community Committee fund provides funding a range of projects that help improve the wellbeing of people in the community. If your community group is interested in learning more about this and other funding sources, please contact Travis White on 06 327 0099 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Applications to the NZ Lotteries Community Committee fund close on 2 November 2009.
Scholarship for Rangitikei College
Recent figures show over 50% of the district’s secondary school students attend school outside the district. Council believes it is critical for the District’s future that its schools attract an increasing number of local students who are successful.
As from 2010, Council will support Rangitikei College and its students by offering two $1,000 scholarships for students leaving school to attend tertiary institutes. No decision has yet been made on how best to support Taihape Area School.
