Whanganui District Council 101 Guyton Street

PO Box 637, Whanganui 4500 06 349 0001

wdc@whanganui.govt.nz www.whanganui.govt.nz

@whanganuidistrictcouncil @WhanganuiDC

Tips for beekeeping in the urban area To avoid bees becoming a nuisance to neighbours over the summer season, the Council has some tips for urban beekeepers.

Environmental Health Officer Alison Smith says that while bees are vital for the pollination of food crops, care needs to be taken to manage bees in built-up urban areas.

“We know bees are important for pollinating the backyard vegetable garden and play a part in commercial crops, but we have to balance this with making sure they are not a nuisance in our community,” says Ms Smith.

“Because beehives can contain up to 50,000 bees that can fly several kilometres from the hive for food and water, we recommend no more than one or two hives per section.

“Having more than this can cause issues which may be deemed a nuisance to other people because bees poop in flight, either as they leave the hive or upon their return. The bee poop can get on neighbours’ houses, cars or laundry and can be hard to remove.

“It only becomes an issue when there are large numbers of bees heading in the same direction to a good food source, which can cause a concentration of poop falling in a small area.

“Very occasionally, we have had to take action against beekeepers who have overstocked and caused a nuisance to neighbours. We’d definitely prefer that if they know there are issues in the neighbourhood, they are proactive and split up or remove bee hives.”

As well as keeping hive numbers to a minimum to avoid any nuisance, there are a number of rules which need to be followed when housing bees in town.

Hives cannot be placed within three metres of a public footpath or within 10 metres of a neighbours’ dwelling. There must be a fence or dense foliage at least 1.8 metres tall to provide a barrier.

Tips for neighbourly beekeeping (and dealing with bee poop):

• Keep concentrations of hives down. To avoid bees becoming a nuisance, the Council’s Environment Team suggests having only two beehives on a 500 to 700 square metre property.

• Check with your neighbours in case their property is being damaged by the bees. Most people will be happy to have some bees nearby. Problems only tend to arise when there are too many hives concentrated in an urban area.

• Ensure there is a fence or dense foliage at least 1.8 metres tall to provide a barrier to neighbouring properties.

• If buildings are affected by bee poop, pre-soak, water blast or wash off with soap to remove it.

• Use ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or products with eucalyptus oil to remove the poop from clothing.

Lunch ‘n’ Learn at the Museum Frocks and the Ladies Who Wore ThemUsing images of wonderful garments in the Museum collection, Events Coordinator Rachael Garland will tell fascinating stories about the ladies who wore them and the events and occasions they wore them at. Finger food and refreshments provided. Free entry, but koha appreciated. Wheelchair access is available on request.

12.00pm noon – 1.00pm, Wednesday 24 January 2018 Davis Theatre, Whanganui Regional Museum, Watt Street

Lunch ‘n’ Learn is a series of lunchtime talks about local stories and history led by the Whanganui Regional Museum to support the Whanganui Summer Programme. Find out more at www.wrm.org.nz

Civil Defence RocksThere are still quite a few painted rocks hiding around our district with the Civil Defence logo on them. If you find one, bring it into 101 Guyton Street and our Emergency

Management team will give you a soft-toy version of Stan, the dog who teaches children about emergencies.

You could even win a Grab-and-Go survival kit if you find the big rock (pictured left).

Planned worksJanuary 2018

Clean-up works from 2015 storm event: Major works are occurring along Whanganui River Road (Shellrock/Oyster Bluff), Garlands Bridge (abutment rock protection), Whanganui River Road (Jerusalem Bluff Retreat) and Papaiti Road Realignment (Mosquito Point). There will be a ‘stop/go’ system in place for Jerusalem Bluff and Shellrock/Oyster Bluff

Road sealing and pavement maintenance: Heads Road, Whanganui River Road, Somme Parade, Raine Street, Hinau Street

Road resealing: Mangamahu Road, No 2 Line, Koatanui Road

Underground works: Rangiora Street (Cornfoot Street to Seafront Road)

Kerb and channel renewal: Marybank Road (No.26 to No.30), Rangiora Street (Cornfoot Street to Seafront Road), St Hill Street (Guyton Street to Ridgway Street)

Footpath renewal: Springvale Road (Peakes Road to Caversham Road), Rangiora Street (Cornfoot Street to Seafront Road), St Hill Street (Guyton Street to Ridgway Street)

Pavement reinstatement: St Hill Street (Guyton Street to Ridgway Street), Rangiora Street (Cornfoot Street to Seafront Road), Marybank Road (No.26 to No.30)

Water table/culvert maintenance: Whanganui River Road

Vegetation treatment: Whanganui River Road and Okoia

Unsealed road grading: Kai Iwi and Okoia

Water main works: Dublin Street (Somme Parade to Pitt Street), Heads Road (Cavell Place to Kings Avenue)

Underground stormwater works: Mosston Road (Wharf Street to Heads Road), Mosston Road (Heads Road to Hinau Street), Glasgow Street (Keith Street to Harrison Street)

Wellington Anniversary Monday 22 January 2018

The Council’s Municipal Building (101 Guyton Street), Infrastructure Office, Innovation Quarter (St Hill Street) and all libraries will be closed on Wellington Anniversary Day, Monday 22 January 2018. For opening and closing times for other Council services, please visit www.whanganui.govt.nz

Lake Wiritoa sprayingAs part of managing the water weed homwort in Lake Wiritoa, the Council will spray on Tuesday 23 January 2018 at the public swimming and water skiing areas.

Please do not draw water from the lake for bathing or drinking, or use for fish fanning or for watering livestock.

The use of the lake for swimming is prohibited for 24 hours after application. Please do not use water for overhead irrigation for 10 days after treatment.

Council meetingsWe welcome members of the public to attend our meetings.

Property and Community Services Committee meeting

1.00pm, Wednesday February 7

Council Chamber

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street and the District Library two working days prior to the meeting.

Pensioner housing units available

$105.00/week for one person

$132.00/week for couples

For information or to download an application form visit our website www.whanganui.govt.nz Our District > Facilities > Pensioner Housing

Or contact Carly Barton, Whanganui District Council Property Group, phone (06) 349 3183 or email carly.barton@whanganui.govt.nz

17 January 2018