Macdonald-Rose said people were also "passionate" about Whanganui's coastal environment, library facilities and provision of youth spaces and places.
"We made a point of holding a wide range of engagement events in the community this year which were well publicised."
Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall said he was pleased with the face-to-face engagement.
"We had some fantastic conversations with the community and had strong support at events from staff, elected members, and the youth committee," McDouall said.
"Some elected members also held their own community events and discussions to hear directly from members of the public, and special mention should be made of members of the youth committee who spent hours encouraging submissions at outdoor events, were very active on social media, and made themselves available for radio interviews."
Two days of hearings will take place this week – on Wednesday, May 12, and Thursday, May 13, starting at 9am both days.
The hearings will be live-streamed on the council's Facebook page and on the Whanganui District Council website.
"A large number of people are keen to speak to their submissions and the hearings will be very full days for all involved," McDouall said.
The volume of submissions is available to the public and can be viewed on the Whanganui District Council website.
Deliberations will take place later on Tuesday, May 25, and Wednesday, May 26, with the plan scheduled to be adopted on Tuesday, June 22.
