The Wanganui District Council's port and harbour local bill will be "amended and strengthened ahead of its introduction in early 2010".

Mayor Michael Laws today said that after discussions with government ministers, officials and MPs "a number of suggestions have been made that will make the bill more concise and clear. I entirely agree that the amendments suggested will make for a better local bill".

"It is better to get this legislation right rather than get it done quickly. Ordinarily, such changes would be made during the select committee process but local bills are slightly different. They remain the property of the council rather than Parliament so their intent needs to be as clear as is possible."

Mayor Laws said that the last thing that Council needed was "legislation that is as bad as the original act and the original lease. We are conscious that we have one chance to get it right, and that the bill will influence the future of Wanganui for many decades".

"I'd like to publicly thank our local MP Chester Borrows for all his work and for his excellent advocacy. The support of Minister Kate Wilkinson is also very much appreciated and their counsel has been influential."