E kōkiri whakamua ana te Kaupapa Whakahaumanu Tāone o Whakatāne
"Developing the District we love in an authentic way which accommodates our history, character and culture."
"E whakawhanake ana te rohe kia tūturu ki te hītori, te mauri, me te ahurea o tātou katoa"
The Whakatāne Regeneration Programme is an exciting programme which aims to reinvigorate Whakatāne's Central Business District, re-establish our connections to the riverfront and provide fit-for-purpose infrastructure to support development for our marine and tourism economies.
This is a significant opportunity for project partners - Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa and the Whakatāne District Council - to take full advantage of an opportunity to co-invest with Central Government, and accelerate economic development opportunities in the Whakatāne District.
1 December 2020 - Top six themes from town centre and riverfront revitalisation consultation
Processing of feedback received through the first stage of engagement on the Whakatāne Town Centre and Riverfront Revitalisation programme has revealed the community’s top six themes.
This information - along with all other feedback received - will be used to inform concept designs for the town centre and riverfront that will be brought back to the community for a second round of engagement in the new year.
12 November 2020 - Whakatāne Town Centre and Riverfront Revitalisation update
Processing of feedback received through the first stage of engagement on the Whakatāne Town Centre and Riverfront Revitalisation programme is well underway. This information is now being analysed to capture key themes, challenges and opportunities that will eventually inform concept plans that will be brought back to the community for further feedback.
17 September 2020 - Te Ara Hou: Reimagining and reconnecting the Whakatāne awa and town centre
Whakatāne has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise its town centre and strengthen ties with its awa (river), while creating long lasting social, environmental, cultural and economic benefits for the community through a new $20-plus million programme called Te Ara Hou.
16 July 2020 - Contractors using mix of specialists and trainees on wharf repair project beginning next week
A project to strengthen and reinforce the Whakatāne and Ōhope wharves will also build the local economy by employing local workers, including welders, labourers and a safety co-ordinator.
The Whakatāne Town Wharf Remediation Project starts in earnest next week when successful contractors, Construction Techniques Ltd (trading as BBR Contech) arrive on site. Safety fencing will be erected and the contractor's compound will be set up on the eastern end of the wharf to allow construction to begin.
29 June 2020 - Local economy given immediate kickstart through additional Provincial Growth Fund funding
An immediate cash injection of $2.5 million from the Government will go towards a suite of projects aimed at transforming the Whakatāne riverfront and CBD, boosting employment and stimulating the regional economy.
27 May 2020 - Remediation of Whakatāne Town Wharf marks first step in District's future
Whakatāne District Council is pleased to announce that with the release of tender documents to industry, it is officially underway with the first of the infrastructure projects associated with the Whakatāne Regeneration Programme.
2 March 2020 - Whakatāne District Mayor acknowledges support for Eastern Bay
Whakatāne District Mayor Judy Turner is joining with her Eastern Bay colleagues in Kawerau and Ōpōtiki to congratulate them on the significant funding investments announced last week by Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones.
30 August 2019 - Agreement signals exciting new journey for partners
A transformational partnership between the Rangitāiki Lot 28B No 22 Block Ahu Whenua Trust, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Limited and Whakatāne District Council has been confirmed following the signing of a Heads of Agreement between the parties.
28 August 2019 - Maori Trust Harbour's Big Hope for Future Whakatane
A transformational partnership between the Rangitāiki Lot 28B No 22 Trust, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Limited and Whakatāne District Council has, this week, signaled its commitment to work in unity to explore this opportunity at the Trust-owned site on Keepa Road adjacent to the Whakatāne bridge.
Co-investment opportunities
Whaiwāhitanga Haumitahitanga
The New Zealand Government has allocated $3 billion dollars over a three-year term to invest in economic development opportunities and sustainable job creation through the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF). This fund is transforming regional areas and the Bay of Plenty is one of six regions that the Government has prioritised for this funding. Our region has been prioritised because the number of people who are unemployed, and youth who are not in employment, education, or training, are twice as high as the national averages. There have been significant requests upon the Fund, with most funds already allocated. We are working quickly to take advantage of this 'once in lifetime' opportunity, while bringing together and accelerating multiple strands of Council's existing economic development work.
"We are working quickly to take advantage of this 'once in a lifetime' opportunity, while bringing together and accelerating multiple strands of Council's existing economic development work."
What will be included within the funding application?
He aha ngā wāhanga o te tono pūtea?
The Whakatāne District's marine and tourism sectors have been identified as key vehicles for delivering economic development opportunities to our people. These industries provide a huge array of tangible benefits that will lead to more jobs, more training opportunities, and more prosperity.
The key infrastructure we need to develop for both the marine and tourism industries is a fit-for-purpose boat harbour that caters for the many commercial and tourism-focused boat operations and provides protection from the river environment. In recognition of the waterfront's historical and cultural significance, the involvement of Ngāti Awa as a key partner is crucial to the success of the programme.
The funding application will include several well researched key projects that will underpin this transformation. In turn, these projects will drive the creation of jobs, promote vibrant, connected and resilient communities, and ensure the connection between people and the environment is enhanced.
How is the community involved?
Te mahi a te hapori?
Council and Ngāti Awa recognise the critical importance of bringing the people of the Whakatāne District on the journey with us for the development of the Whakatāne Town Regeneration Programme.
To inform the development of this application, we are using feedback from the community already received about the future of the town including community feedback from the 2008 and 2016 Town Vision projects, Whakatāne Ki Mua 2017 community engagement initiative feedback, recent Annual Plan consultation submissions, and feedback from engagement with key interest groups during recent years.
The team members developing the funding application are currently seeking input from a number of key interest groups and stakeholders. We will be seeking input from our wider community to inform the next phase of the project, which will involve a town reference plan as a starting point for consultation.
What are the costs and who pays?
He aha ngā utu? Mā wai ngā utu e whakaea?
Central Government has co-invested with Council, providing $646,000 to assist the preparation of a business case. This has enabled access to skill and expertise in the marine, tourism, and property sectors, and urban and cultural design. We are working as a team with these specialists to build a robust business case with a common purpose of bringing prosperity to our community and ensuring a sound environmental base.
Through the Council’s Annual Plan 2019/20 process, funding of $1.546 million has been budgeted for the final stage of the business case and for detailed design. While the PGF will meet a large portion of the costs, increased local funding is also required. This local share will come from the Harbour Fund ($200,000 - no rating impact) and from General Rates ($250,000). Later stages of the project anticipate a contribution from the PGF as well as a local funding commitment. Local funding is already included in Council's Long Term Plan budget, but if the required amount changes significantly, we will undertake further public consultation.
What happens next?
Whakaahu whakamua?
The Whakatāne Regeneration Programme will progress regardless of the funding outcome. A positive funding outcome will undoubtedly progress the speed at which we will achieve the desired outcomes for our District. Following a decision on the business case, we will be embarking upon a much wider range of engagement with our communities and stakeholders to further assist the development of a blueprint for the town regeneration programme.
