Water softening, a gang insignia ban and kerbside recycling were the winners in Wanganui's Referendum '07, and a separate Wanganui anniversary day was rejected.
Of the 30,451 Wanganui registered voters who received papers, 15,025 voted in the poll, which closed at midday on Saturday.
Mayor Michael Laws said he welcomed the fact that 15,025 Wanganui residents participated in this year's referendum. The 48 percent was down on the 55.4 percent in last year's referendum which Mr Laws said was because it was not combined with by-elections like last year and council had indicated clear policy directions ahead of the vote.
"In other words, this poll was more likely to attract people opposed to council policy, than those in support." Mr Laws said the results provided council with a clear and unequivocal direction and the results would be implemented immediately.
He said that while the gang insignia ban might attract national attention, the soft water issue was likely to be of more dramatic effect for most Wanganui people.
"When I put soft water on the council agenda back in 2005, I was told that it was too difficult an issue.
"As a result of today's vote, Wanganui households will have soft water within 12 months."
Mr Laws said the council had included a water softening levy in its draft 2007-08 annual plan in anticipation of a positive referendum result and the savings would be hundreds of dollars a year in water heating, electrical appliances and washing products.
In the referendum flyer that went to all Wanganui households it was stated that the soft water option would save the average household between $240 and $330 a year.
The gang insignia bill would now go to Parliament and kerbside recycling would require more extensive research by council but could be in place as early as July 1 next year.
Almost 10,000 people voted for kerbside recycling and Mr Laws' response was that the council would start to form new relationships with commercial partners to make the new system work effectively and efficiently.
Thumbs up for soft water, gang patch ban and recycling
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