Philip Shackleton and I spoke on behalf of Wanganui business to the Wanganui District Council Draft 10-Year Plan.   The biggest concern was the proposed change to rating for funding Cooks Gardens, the costing around the proposed new Visitor Information Centre and the lack of transparency around financial reporting.   We advocated that Cooks Gardens is a community asset therefore the rate structure should be evenly spread.   Chamber agreed there were more ideal locations for a new Visitor Information Centre but questioned the timing in the current economic climate.  Councillors Rob Vinsen and Sue Westwood supported our concerns over the proposed rating change to commercial properties and transparency of information agreeing that Chamber of Commerce needed access to this to help make informed decisions on behalf of business.   The outcome?  A BIG pat on the back to our elected officials who took the time to listen and act, spreading the cost of the Information Centre over a two year period and not imposing a large rate increase to commerce in these challenging times.

The Government also acted with fiscal responsibility in producing a budget that was conservative and would help towards building the road to recovery.  The objective in the budget to lift productivity and raise New Zealand’s international competitiveness is long overdue.   I will be interested to learn more about how this can be achieved.  Establishment of the NZ Home Insulation fund providing grants of up to $1800 for homes built before the year 2000 that need ceiling and under floor insulation has the potential to benefit more than 180,000 homes throughout New Zealand with grants to help keep homes warm and dry.  This work will have a positive economic flow on to businesses that install insulation.  The cold blast of weather has been a boost for Wanganui Plumbers, who tell me they are busy installing gas heating into homes.  
  
I recently attended the launch of the wanganui.com introducing the official Wanganui gateway, a collaborative partnership development between Wanganui District Council, Kiwiwebs and H&A Design & Print.   Launched on the same day was wanganuionline.com. a combined business initiative.  Take the time to go online and take a look at both these innovative sites, they showcase the best of what Wanganui  has to offer, attractions, up to date news, what’s happening and an event calendar that I encourage anyone hosting an event to list here.   Both web portals are beautifully developed and the perfect example of how people working together with a common goal of promoting Wanganui can succeed.  Well done!

How’s Business?  Chamber of Commerce launched the 2009 Massey University Wanganui Business Awards attended by more than 100 business people at a party atmosphere at 2008 Supreme Winner, Training for You.   The launch was a resounding success but the proof will be in the entries for the 2009 awards.   The next step in the awards process is the opportunity to attend the workshops hosted by the judges; this provides an excellent insight into what the judges look for in an entry.   The workshops are held at UCOL, June 11, July 25 and August 16.  Phone or email fraye@wanganuichamber.co.nz , register and learn how your business can be a winner at the 2009 awards.  So, ‘How’s business’?  

‘A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts’.  Richard Branson.

Have a great month!
Bronwyn Paul