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News
Annual Plan 2020-21 adopted
The Whakatāne District Council’s Annual Plan and Fees and Charges for 2020/21 have now been formally adopted.
Kia Kaha Whakatāne and the Provincial Growth Fund – getting people back to work and the economy flowing
Before COVID-19, Matt was playing professional rugby in Japan, but like many people, his life changed dramatically amid the global pandemic. The Whakatāne Airport project has created work for a number of local contractors.
Dog registration prizes up for grabs
Whakatāne District dog owners who register their pets before Friday, 31 July 2020 will go in the draw to win a range of fantastic prizes.
Sand fuse removal at Opihi Spit
Whakatāne District Council is arranging to have the sand fuse on the western side of the Whakatāne River mouth (at the tip of the Opihi spit) lowered, to comply with Bay of Plenty Regional Council flood preparedness requirements.
Innovating Streets funding enables CBD-to-river activation
Whakatāne is one of the centres to have successfully secured a portion of the Government’s $13.95 million Innovating Streets Fund which will see projects carried out across the country that make streets more people-friendly.
Tangiweto exhibition opens this weekend
The work of Whakatāne-raised artist Tina Tangiweto should be familiar to most locals - she's probably best known for her colourful murals in Kopeopeo, Waimana, and most recently at the Whakatāne Aquatic Centre.
Alert sirens decommissioned in Eastern Bay of Plenty
From 1 July, residents in coastal areas of the Eastern Bay will no longer hear alert sirens as a notice to check for official messages in case of a tsunami alert. Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki District Councils will no longer use the sirens and will rely on a range of other alerting tools including Emergency Mobile Alerts (EMA), radio, stinger sirens and internet-based systems.
Simple swaps for Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July is the perfect time to start making simple swaps for single-use plastics, preventing a huge amount of waste heading to landfill and our oceans. Whakatāne District Council General Manager Community Services Mike Naude says 'The Big Four' alternatives are easy pickings for those not sure where to begin.
Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw review consultation open
Whakatāne District Council is seeking feedback on a proposal to amend its Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw Review to allow natural burials as a new alternative method of burial, and for burials to be able to take place on Sundays.
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.
Water main renewal project begins
Physical works on the Whakatāne District Council water main renewal project begins this week. Water mains in the affected areas were identified as requiring replacement after reaching the end of their expected service life.
Change to dog control fees
Dog registration fees in the Whakatāne District will increase slightly for the 2020/21 year, which starts on 1 July. While the fees remained the same for the past three years, an increase in operational costs means the Council can no longer hold fees at their current level.
Kia Kaha Whakatāne projects stimulate employment and training
Whakatāne District Council has been successful in securing $8.229M to undertake a range of projects aimed at creating the equivalent of 130 full-time jobs in the next six months.
New exhibition 'Social Amnesia' explores history
A provocative exhibition by Whanganui print maker Vanessa Wairata Edwards will be unveiled next week at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi. Social Amnesia discusses the uncomfortable silences that face society while attempting to confront the colonial history of New Zealand.
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.
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.
Annual Plan consultation begins
Consultation on the draft 2020/2021 Annual Plan and budget begins on Monday, 25 May. The Council is seeking community feedback on the key proposals outlined in the consultation document, which relate to changes in the work programme and budgets set-out for 2020/21 in the Long Term Plan.
Murupara water treatment taking place on Monday
The Murupara water supply will receive a one-off sanitising treatment from 10am on Monday, 25 May to remove a recurring contamination. The collective decision was made following a series of hui with community leaders. Treatment takes about three hours and residents may notice a very slight chlorine taste and smell while in progress.
Air Chathams flights resume
After a hiatus during lockdown, the Air Chathams team is thrilled to resume flights from Sunday, 24 May. Duane Emeny, Airline & Charter General Manager, says the unprecedented COVID-19 circumstances have been challenging, but local support has ensured the airline will once again take to the Eastern Bay skies.
Innovative options available for book lovers
While it may not be completely back to business as usual, Whakatāne Library staff have designed some crafty ways to keep patrons happy.
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