Whanganui District Council

Whanganui General Ward
The Whanganui District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 12 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). ten councillors will be elected from the Whanganui ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Whanganui District Council election.

Utilities and services

Councils are responsible for a wide range of utilities and services that we all rely on, from rubbish and recycling to street cleaning. Councils are currently also responsible for managing waste water, storm water and drinking water infrastructure – the ‘Three Waters’. But that may be about to change, with central government seeking to shift the delivery of Three Waters services to four new larger entities, which could borrow enough to upgrade the country’s water infrastructure.

Utilities and services

Councils are responsible for a wide range of utilities and services that we all rely on, from rubbish and recycling to street cleaning. Councils are currently also responsible for managing waste water, storm water and drinking water infrastructure – the ‘Three Waters’. But that may be about to change, with central government seeking to shift the delivery of Three Waters services to four new larger entities, which could borrow enough to upgrade the country’s water infrastructure.

  • Introduce discounted multi-entry swim passes for families, seniors and low-income residents to make pools more accessible.

    Commit to faster processing for simple residential building projects such as decks, garages and fences.

    Invest to reduce the cost of cremation to lighten the load for grieving families.

  • Stand against food scraps recycling. During the cost of living crisis, this is not something ratepayers want and the uptake seems small.

    Regularly engage with Business Whanganui to understand concerns such as parking, safety and local support.

  • Focus energy and monitoring in the next few years on designing Three Waters services as joining with Ruapehu.

    Maintain education and policing of dog control to reduce wandering dogs and attacks, ensuring resources and effort continue.

    Encourage council facilities and events to have waste management plans and be the change wanted in the community.

  • Enforce stricter protections against industrial and agricultural pollution of waterways.

    Review animal control procedures, and funding levels for desexing and animal control.

    Reduce waste sent to landfill and protect marine ecosystems.

  • Maintain local control of the Three Waters and make it work efficiently under the new system.

    Improve rubbish collection and recycling and see if there are efficiencies to be made.

    Ensure everyone has access to the community by making sure there is adequate mobility parking, ramps and other obstacles are removed.

  • Continue curbside recycling for urban areas while looking to expand the products that can be collected for recycling.

    Introduce stormwater retention tank requirements for new build houses, similar to Kapiti's regulations.

  • Introduce discounted multi-entry swim passes for families, seniors and low-income residents to make pools more accessible.

    Commit to faster processing for simple residential building projects such as decks, garages and fences.

    Invest to reduce the cost of cremation to lighten the load for grieving families.

  • Stand against food scraps recycling. During the cost of living crisis, this is not something ratepayers want and the uptake seems small.

    Regularly engage with Business Whanganui to understand concerns such as parking, safety and local support.

  • Focus energy and monitoring in the next few years on designing Three Waters services as joining with Ruapehu.

    Maintain education and policing of dog control to reduce wandering dogs and attacks, ensuring resources and effort continue.

    Encourage council facilities and events to have waste management plans and be the change wanted in the community.

  • Enforce stricter protections against industrial and agricultural pollution of waterways.

    Review animal control procedures, and funding levels for desexing and animal control.

    Reduce waste sent to landfill and protect marine ecosystems.

  • Maintain local control of the Three Waters and make it work efficiently under the new system.

    Improve rubbish collection and recycling and see if there are efficiencies to be made.

    Ensure everyone has access to the community by making sure there is adequate mobility parking, ramps and other obstacles are removed.

  • Continue curbside recycling for urban areas while looking to expand the products that can be collected for recycling.

    Introduce stormwater retention tank requirements for new build houses, similar to Kapiti's regulations.