Fordell School principal calls on Whanganui District Council to address village’s infrastructure

Principal Yvette Moorhouse is concerned the village's lack of infrastructure poses risks to Fordell School pupils. Photo / Mike Tweed

Fordell School’s principal says a lack of infrastructure in the village is endangering pupils and the wider community.

Yvette Woodhouse told Whanganui district councillors this week her concerns, including open drains and narrow footpaths, were “not new”.

Fordell is about 18km from central Whanganui.

“Over my 10 years as principal of Fordell School, these issues have been raised repeatedly through submissions, emails and direct communication with council,” she said.

“Despite this constant advocacy, they continue to be deferred.

“Quite simply, it feels as though Fordell is the village that continues to be overlooked, despite our growth, contribution and very real safety needs.”

During hearings on the council’s 2026-27 annual plan, Moorhouse said the school roll had doubled since 2013 and the village was growing significantly, but infrastructure had not kept up.

Now, the environment was increasingly unsafe for children, families and Fordell’s older residents, she said.

“Budge St, outside both Fordell School and Fordell Preschool, is extremely narrow and unsafe, particularly during peak times.

“Adding to this risk is the open roadside drains and when it rains these drains fill and remain full for days.

“In a high-use area, where children are present every day, this simply isn’t adequate.”

Moorhouse said footpaths were too narrow and there was no safe route connecting the school to No 2 Line via Duncan St.

“One student, undergoing chemotherapy, fell from a wheelchair due to the poor condition of the footpath and required a two-week hospital stay.”

Moorhouse told the Chronicle the school roll would reach about 134 by the end of the year and the village was “spreading out”.

Fordell School principal Yvette Moorhouse says open drains on Budge St "remain full for days" after rain. Photo / Mike Tweed

“There is the Rusthall subdivision down No 2 Line, and there are others in the area as well,” she said.

“[Advocacy] began before my time and it’s something you inherit as you go along.

“As you spend more time here, you realise how overlooked it’s become.”

Rusthall Estate, between the Whanganui Substation and Okoia Rd, has 32 sections.

Moorhouse’s submission to the annual plan requested a series of improvements, including addressing parking congestion and visibility issues; removing, covering, or making the drains safe; and a footpath between the school and No 2 Line.

“As a community, we do an exceptional job of supporting and fundraising for local amenities, including the Fordell Community Hall and the Fordell Community Pool,” it said.

“Families, staff and volunteers consistently step up to maintain and enhance community facilities so that they can be used by not only the community but even those outside our community.

“It is now time for that commitment to be reciprocated through meaningful action on the long-standing health and safety issues that have been repeatedly brought to the council’s attention.”

Moorhouse told councillors footpaths should be the first area addressed.

“I know the council has come out and looked at it and talked about footpaths, but the roads, the drains, it is actually a whole package deal, is what we’ve been told.”

In a written statement, council transportation manager Mark Allingham told the Chronicle no specific infrastructure projects were planned for Fordell.

“However, we appreciate these concerns being raised on behalf of the community,” he said.

“The feedback has highlighted how important ongoing investment and maintenance is for Fordell.

“Over the past 12 months, we have continued footpath repairs, vegetation clearing and general maintenance work in the township, and this work will continue as part of our ongoing programme.”

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.