Latest from Whanganui District Council

Prudent or 'poppycock'? The Sarjeant entry fee proposal

Councillor Rob Vinsen says "the ratepayer pocket is empty".

Community leader says Gonville Library more than just books

'The social impact impact is astounding.'

Council using 'sledgehammer to crack a walnut' with aviary closure

'It’s an interesting contrast to our web-footed friends.'

Duck thefts spark police investigation

'If people are thieving wildfowl from a public place, they should throw the book at them.'

Grounded planes, low student numbers hit pilot academy

'The issue for council is: how long are you willing to support it while it’s loss-making?'

Inner-city flower baskets hanging by a thread

'It would seem that we have lost pride in our appearance.'

Drain from mid-19th century discovered in central city

The find "represents a very early attempt at formal drainage".

Airline boss brands parallel taxiway 'an unnecessary luxury'

The project is in the council's draft LTP but contingent on central government.

Sarjeant trust chair 'flabbergasted' by proposed funding cut

'There are going to be severe repercussions, quite frankly.'

Council buys CBD properties as hotel talk swirls

They will be added to the city endowment portfolio, which is valued at $45m.

'Gone beyond a war': Council votes for Gaza ceasefire

'Without political pressure on a nationwide and international scale, nothing will stop.'

'We don't even have kerbs': Petition against recycling service

Bill Simmons says the only council resource residents in his area need is water supply.

'Something to celebrate': Record number of LTP submissions

It's almost triple the number of submissions for the 2021-2031 long-term plan.

'Very unexpected': Transfer station changes hands

'We just want to get the feet under the desk and make sure we’ve got the basics down.'

New speed limit reductions signed off

They will be phased in around the district by June 30, 2027.

'A natural fit': Developer hatches hotel plan

Dave Moore estimates the project would cost $35 million.

PM says local councils should stop doing 'dumb stuff'

Christopher Luxon says councils should focus 'on the must-do, not the nice-to-do'.

Calls for cycle trail to be fast-tracked

Construction of the $2.4m project isn’t scheduled until between 2032 and 2034.