The latest updates and developments for the Active Whakatāne Project.
29 February 2024 - Council continues progressing Better Off Funding projects
The Whakatāne District is set to benefit from community projects funded by the Department of Internal Affairs Better Off Funding package throughout 2024.
The first stage of the Edgecumbe to Thornton Shared Pathway is expected to begin in May. The first stage involves resurfacing an existing grass walking track beginning at Edgecumbe Squash and Tennis Club on College Road and ending at Edgecumbe Skatepark.
28 March 2023 - On yer bike – Charging stations, secure parking, and bike library coming to a spot near you
Marking an important step in the drive for more active and sustainable transport options, two new cycling initiatives have made their way to Whakatāne District.
‘Locky Docks’ - secure bike racks with FREE charging stations for e-bikes will soon be popping up in a spot near you; while an e-Bike Library, which will allow users to trial different types of e-bikes for a small fee, will also be launched. The library will include a range of town bikes, cargo bikes and mountain bikes that will be suitable for a wide range of uses for individuals and businesses.
Acting Manager Transportation, David Wathall says the initiatives fit within Council’s Active Whakatāne Strategy, supporting local communities to be active by providing safe infrastructure and removing barriers to being active.
27 February 2023 - Pouwhare Street neighbourhood set to benefit from safer travel route
Three inter-connecting central Whakatāne streets are set to receive some major safety upgrades with a three-month work programme starting next week.
Hikurangi Street, Pouwhare Street and Eivers Road is the latest neighbourhood to receive a Safer Travel Route as part of Whakatāne District Council’s Active Whakatāne programme.
Council Team Leader Strategy and Asset Management Ann-Elise Reynolds says the Safer Travel Route will make it easier for people to walk, cycle or scooter in the neighbourhood no matter their age or ability.
7 February 2023 - Safer Travel Route coming to Goulstone, Crete and Salonika Streets neighbourhood.
The Goulstone, Crete and Salonika Streets neighbourhood is set to receive some major safety upgrades with a five-month work programme starting this week.
6 December 2022 - $3.5 million in funding for new cycle and pedestrian paths
Whakatāne District Council has provisionally received 3.5 million to fund two new cycling and walking trails in Whakatāne.
The two projects are a cycle trail along State Highway 30 from the Whakatāne Bridge to the Shaw Road subdivision and a trail on the stopbank from the Riverside Drive end of Awatapu down to the Whakatāne Netball Courts.
4 October 2022 - Active-Eight Whānau Bike Day
Finish the school holidays on a high by wrapping them up with the Active-Eight Whānau Bike Day.
18 August 2022 - Share with care on our pathways and be in to win
To celebrate new shared pathways outside schools across the district, Whakatāne District Council, Bike Whakatāne Trust and Full Cycle Bikes are offering tamariki the chance to win a bike helmet airbrushed with their own design.
28 July 2022 - Twenty-three more reasons to cycle in Whakatāne
Whakatāne now has 23 more reasons to ditch the car and cycle instead.
As part of its Active Whakatāne Strategy, Whakatāne District Council has installed 23 bike racks around the township and Ōhope, with the aim of making commuting to work, play, and social activities easier than ever.
June - October 2021 - Active Whakatāne (Apanui Avenue Neighbourhood Greenways) Project
Road works to complete Stage 1 of the Apanui Avenue Neighbourhood Greenway project took place from Monday, 28 June to Sunday, 18 July 2021.
Works is being undertaken on Apanui Avenue to create a safer roading environment for everyone. The works include creating safer crossing points on Apanui Avenue, designed to allow children to walk or scooter more safely, while reducing traffic speeds on this busy road.
Stage 2 and Stage 3 are expected to be carried out in September and October. We’ll provide further details about these stages and associated road closures closer to the time.
Thanks for your patience while we complete these necessary works to make our roads safer for everyone.
Find out more and see the final layout of planned works »
18 January 2021 - Three metre-wide shared-use path to create easier and safer routes to schools
As part of the Active Whakatāne initiative, contractors are installing a three metre-wide shared-use path along Hinemoa Street from James Street to the Awatapu Lagoon entrance.
This project, which is due to be completed by the end of April, is designed to create easier and safer routes to schools. The next stage, which will start mid-February, is an upgrade of the existing walking track along the northern side of the Awatapu Lagoon. The track will be replaced with a three metre-wide, shared-use concrete path.
9 June 2020 - Active Whakatāne Strategy in motion
In a move to further connect our communities, the Whakatāne District Council Strategy and Policy Committee formally adopted the Active Whakatāne Strategy last week.
Strategy and Policy Committee Chairperson, Nándor Tánczos, says Council is fully behind the strategy, which will ensure walking and cycling networks meet community needs and enable all residents and visitors to lead healthy, active lives. It follows numerous calls from the community for more focus on active transport modes.
16 January 2020 - Red carpets rolled out at crossings
Two pedestrian access points on Landing Road have had ‘red carpet’ crossings installed this week, including the section outside Gull Service Station. Improvements were made in this location last year to widen the median bay and enable increased maneuverability, especially for mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
23 October 2019 - Road users set to benefit from sharrow initiative
Whakatāne District road users will notice new road markings on several streets in the area during the coming months. As part of the Active Whakatāne initiative, Whakatāne District Council will be applying 'sharrows' to urban streets with low traffic volumes to encourage shared use on our roads.