You have selected Council news from 7 September 2008.

Cemetery thieves steal from war heroes
Auckland city Mayor, Hon. John Banks, is outraged that more than 100 bronze plaques were damaged or stolen from graves in the Otahuhu and Waikaraka cemeteries last week.

Auckland Art Gallery development gets the green light
Major work on the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki development will start within the next two weeks, following a green light from the Environment Court.

Council saves ratepayers $20 million
The council has saved nearly $20 million of ratepayers' money in the past year by being more efficient, using new technologies and reducing the organisation's vehicle fleet as reported to the Finance and Strategy Committee.

Pt Chevalier residents pitch in to clear shells
About 200 local volunteers cleared five skips of Pacific oyster shells and small rocks from Pt Chevalier Beach at a council-organised working bee last weekend to prepare the beach for resanding.

Graffiti vandals targeted
The council has strengthened its zero-tolerance stance on graffiti vandalism with the introduction on 1 July of a new citywide graffiti vandalism eradication contract.

History project rings a bell
Pt Chevalier resident Mr Cyril Bell told Pt Chevalier library staff how he and his friends used to flatten half pennies on the tram tracks until they reached the size of a penny, and then try to use them in the Nestlé chocolate machine at the local dairy.

Group funding grants open
Community groups have until 3 October to apply for accommodation support funding from Auckland City Council.

Geologist puts Auckland's volcanoes on the map
A free exhibition at Central City Library celebrates Ferdinand von Hochstetter, father of New Zealand geology.

Operation Maru
Aucklanders can expect to see a flurry of activity on the Hauraki Gulf and near the Port of Auckland from 15 to 19 September as the New Zealand Customs Service and other government agencies run Exercise Maru.

Crate winners
Fifty-five people sent in entries for our crate ideas contest, which ended last week.

Slips close walkways
Slips have occurred in the Parnell Baths car park and cracks have appeared on and around the public walkway that leads up to Point Resolution.

Win tickets to Nom*D or Fashion weekEND
City Scene readers have the chance to win either two tickets to go to the Nom*D fashion show, or as secondary prizes, four double passes for Air New Zealand Public WeekEND.

Take a walk on the wild side
As part of Auckland Heritage Festival 2008, the heritage team are giving Aucklanders the chance to get among the city's unique natural legacy.

You can win tickets to Whero's New Net
City Scene readers have the chance to win one of five double passes to Massive Company's new play, Whero's New Net.