If you find it coincidental that this site was down from 21st September until today, well then perhaps you should consider on what date the local government elections voting papers were sent out!

Yes, folks, lynnepope.net went offline and instead, a vote for Heather Tanguay image was here. Did I do that? NO! I am absolutely disgusted that local government politics has stooped to the level of people attacking and defacing websites in order to promote their preferred Mayor. It should come as no news to you that I am not standing for Mayor of Palmerston North. I am not even standing for re-election to the Palmerston North City Council. I am standing for election to Horizons and if the person(s) responsible for defacing my website are reading this, may I remind you that Horizons is a separate entity and HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS! Kindly play your stupid games elsewhere and leave me out of your dirty politics.

PNCC Press Release

The City Council’s innovative process to include glass as part of its roading foundations has been recognised nationally.

At the weekend the City Council received a Packaging Council of New Zealand award as the winner in the glass recycling category from the Acting Minister for the Environment, David Parker.

The Council, in conjunction with Higgins Aggregates, has, for the last 12 months, produced a roading foundation material which includes up to five percent of recycled glass.

The glass would otherwise be dumped in a landfill as it has no market value due to the presence of more than one colour and plastic which sticks to the bottles.

Does your organisation want to develop a project that has the potential to contribute to the City Council’s community outcomes and its Community Development Plan?

Or perhaps you have an idea for developing a new and unique community group? Then the Local Initiatives Fund may be able to assist.

Community outcomes are defined as “things that are important to people” and mean;

• People have lots of fun things to do
• Businesses grow here and people have plenty of job opportunities
• Palmerston North is attractive, clean and green
• The community is supportive and people and organisations work together
• People have lots of learning opportunities.

PNCC Press Release - Jaycee Trust

An overseas trip, a chance to study and an opportunity to give something back to the community through their profession, trade or calling.

That’s what a Travelling Fellowship scheme administered by the City Council is offering New Zealand citizens under the age of 40 and who live in Palmerston North or the Manawatu.

Applications for the Jaycee Trust Travelling Fellowship Scheme are now open and people have until Wednesday, August 8, to respond.

PNCC Press Release:

James Line, which runs from State Highway 3 to Kelvin Grove, is currently being upgraded.

Stage one of the upgrade began last month from the railway line through to the cemetery gates.

The work involves the vertical realignment of the carriageway including kerb and channelling and a new footpath and grass berms. The 11 metre wide carriageway will be build to full urban standards for residents to enjoy and will act as a collector road for traffic from side streets.

PNCC Press Release:

Extensive experience in entertainment and venue management is what a crucial City Council appointee will bring to the job.

David Walsh, Manager of the Convention Centre and Acting Manager of Arena Manawatu, has been appointed Manager of Venues, Palmerston North.

The position is new and encompasses responsibility for both the Convention Centre and Arena Manawatu.

Last year the City Council decided that the synergies between both venues were very similar and one administration for both would benefit the city. The position was advertised nationally and David Walsh was appointed late last month.

The cost of the City Council’s recycling collection and rubbish disposal is reflected in an increase in the price of rubbish bags.

From August 1 the cost of a bag will rise from $1.00 ($10 for a pack of 10 – GST inclusive) to $1.25 ($12.50 for a pack of 10). The increase was confirmed in the City Council’s Annual Plan which is year two of its 10 Year Plan.

The Council’s Water and Waste Services Manager, Chris Pepper, says the Council is progressively moving towards a full user pays policy for its kerbside rubbish collection.

From PNCC Press Release:

A decision has been reached by a panel of three independent commissioners appointed by Palmerston North City Council, Horowhenua District Council and Horizons Regional Council to hear submissions on applications from Motorimu Wind Farm Limited to develop, construct, install, operate, maintain and decommission 127 wind turbines in the Tararua Ranges adjacent to Linton and Tokomaru. Commissioners Dinah Williams, Richard Heerdegen and David McMahon have granted consent for 75 of the proposed turbines to be constructed and have declined consent for the remaining 52 turbines. The grant of consent for the 75 turbines is subject to a number of detailed conditions imposed by the commissioners in appendices to their decision.
The applications were submitted to the three local authorities towards the end of last year and were followed by ten and a half days of public hearings held in Palmerston North in March this year.

City Councillors have approved a preferred option for the siting of the second city bridge across the Manawatu River.

The preferred bridge location is situated between the end of Riverside Drive and Staces Road.

The option was presented to last Wednesday’s full Council meeting which unanimously approved the option in principle and has released the preference for public consultation.

The Council’s consultant, OPUS, explains that, until such time as the route of the rural ring road is finalised and built, the bridge will be linked to Napier Road along Te Matai Road and Riverside Drive and to Aokautere Drive following the general alignment of Staces Road.

Investigation of an upstream crossing of the Manawatu River is reaching an important milestone which should see confirmation of a preferred site by September 2007.

Opus International Consultants were engaged by Council in 2006 to complete the investigation of a suitable site for a second bridge. The study includes consideration of the economic, social and environmental effects and benefits of a bridge.

The bridge site forms part of Council’s Eastern Growth Corridor, which it adopted in 2003 and now forms part of its 10 Year Plan.