Tararua District Council Media Releases 25 July 2008

Dannevirke Community Board Nominations Wanted

The council is calling for nominations to the Dannevirke Community Board to replace longstanding member Nigel Ensor.

Papers are available at the Dannevirke council office and nominations close on August 12.

Polling day is October 1 should an election be necessary.

Electoral officer Mike Brown encourages voters to ensure their names are on the electoral roll which also closes on August 12.

Town Clock a Generous Gesture

The donation of a Dannevirke town clock by long time local benefactor Gwen Fairbrother has been warmly received by the council and the Dannevirke Community Board.

Mrs Fairbrother has offered to fund the clock as part of the Dannevirke Town Centre Refurbishment project.

Councillors were happy to accept Earthwork Landscape Architect advisor Jo Bruerton’s recommendation to agree to the construction, design concept (pictured) and the proposed location in the northern paving extension on Ward St adjacent to the proposed green space.

The clock has been designed by local engineering firm Metalform to complement the street furniture intended for High St.

Mayor Maureen Reynolds thanked Mrs Fairbrother for her “very generous gesture.”

She also welcomed Mrs Fairbrother’s acceptance that a plaque would be installed to record the donation for future generations.

‘Peoples’ Network ‘ Part of Library Life

It seems only a short time ago that people visited libraries only to borrow and to read books.

But no longer.

Now they can play on computers, check their emails, bank on line, download their camera or enjoy social networking activities like Bebo and Facebook.

All thanks to the ‘People’s Network’, a government initiative in which state of the art broadband services have been installed in libraries around the country - including Tararua’s.

All four Tararua librarians report that the advent of the funky purple tables and computers complete with Skype has brought a significant increase in foot traffic and a new era of users – including an increasing number of adults.

Mainly however it’s been the district’s young people a number of whom have been newcomers to libraries.

And as Dannevirke’s Nikki Price admits it’s been a learning curve for everyone.

“Systems – and behaviour – had to be sorted out so that noise was controlled and everyone had a turn,” she says.

Woodville librarian Raewyn Murray has set contracts and at Eketahuna Janice Percy reports that a recently established set of rules is now working well.

At Pahiatua “kids are the biggest users but they have been very little trouble,” Wyn Davidson reports.

Membership has increased in Woodville as users are required to have a library card although none of the librarians report an increase in book usage.

So eight months further on is the ‘Peoples’ Network’ a success?

“Absolutely” say the librarians. All are enthusiastic about the new era and the people who are now using the libraries.

Let the ‘Peoples’ Network’ continue.

Two Rates Envelopes For ‘Sum’

Tararua ratepayers who have taken the Dannevirke Town Centre Refurbishment ‘lump sum’ payment option can expect two rates instalment envelopes to arrive in their letterboxes early next month.

Sending two separate invoices allowed recipients to distinguish the one off contribution from the normal rates notice, complies with the legislation, and is easier for the council to administer, manager corporate services Peter Wimsett said.

For the district’s remaining ratepayers the standard loan repayment will be included in the rates invoice as usual.

The opportunity to make a one off payment has offered ratepayers the option to reduce long term interest repayments. The community’s response has been outstanding and has exceeded Council’s expectations.

Council Briefs:

The council has claimed $278,169 for rates rebates in the last financial year - $2,646 more than the previous year although the number of people making claims is similar. Revenue staff have done their best to contact people and encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity for a rates rebate, chief executive Roger Twentyman said.

The Denmark St/Miller St intersection in Dannevirke is causing concern with 13 reported accidents on the site over the last three years. Efforts are being made to make the site as safe as possible with markings renewed and the installation of red cats eyes.

The council has approved the sale of the plantation reserve at Tahoraiti. The land is surplus to the council’s requirements and is not an economic forestry unit.