Whanganui District Council starts consultation on its long-term plan on April 2.

'It’s been eight years since we last went. Why would another year matter?'

“You need people there with commercial expertise and knowledge of the industries."

'Everyone has to take some pain here.'

The decision was made at a closed Whanganui District Council meeting this week.

'The site had been fenced off from the community for decades.'

'I've talked to fellow mayors around New Zealand and there is some very real concern.'

'People can attend meetings, gather information and pass it on to ratepayers.'

'More use of the domain would potentially discourage antisocial behaviour.'

“It’s not about anyone being more important or taking over."

Project includes car park, toilets, showers, raised timber walkways and native planting.

All but three of Whanganui's district councillors back W&P's move in-house.

Roading is a big cost for the district.

The decision follows a review of council-controlled organisations.

'We couldn’t be bringing the students to Whanganui without those aircraft.'

'We want the public to find the love and drive to care for our natural world.'

The centre has undergone a month of renovations.

“If you have a party one weekend, you can put out three crates of glass.”

The council's role is to make an environment that encourages "investment as well as use".

Finding sufficient labour is 'proving to be quite challenging'.

“Just because central government says jump we don’t say ‘how high?’"

Proposals went to public consultation this week.

An intersection will be closed for a month.

'Council representation should be fair and effective for all Whanganui residents.'

“Regulation and rules alone will not and cannot halt the decline".

It's the second tree to fall on property in the same street in the same week.

A meeting of 80 residents has agreed the proposed development is too intense.

'It just dropped like anything.'