Consultation on Whakatāne District Council’s Easter Sunday Trading Policy is now open, and residents are being encouraged to have their say.
Council is proposing to keep the current Policy the same, which allows shops to trade on Easter Sunday if they wish to and applies to the whole District. It means employers can make an individual decision as to whether they open or not.
Acting Strategy and Policy Manager Vanessa Fergusson says one of Council's strategic priorities is to make sure it’s facilitating economic regeneration and employment opportunities in the District.
"Giving shops the opportunity to open on Easter Sunday helps with this, and means the District is aligned with other councils in the area," Ms Fergusson says.
Under law, Council is required to review the Policy no later than five years after the adoption date, however the Policy can remain in force for a further two years before it is revoked.
Consultation is open until 5pm, Tuesday 11 April and Council is encouraging people to share their views by hopping online at koreromai.whakatane.govt.nz/easter-trading-2023 or, by picking up a hard copy from:
- Whakatāne District Council 4 Commerce Street, Whakatāne
- Whakatāne Library 49 Kakahoroa Drive, Whakatāne
- Edgecumbe Library 38 College Road, Edgecumbe
- Ōhope Library 4 Harbour Road, Ōhope
- Murupara Library / Service Centre Civic Square, 48 Pine Drive, Murupara.