View active and proposed road closures, roadworks, and emergency road status information.
Our main offices will be closed Easter Weekend. Most Council services will either have reduced opening hours or be closed entirely. Areas where rubbish and recycling are normally collected on Fridays will instead have collections on Saturday, 19 April. See the full list of services' opening hours »
Tropical Cyclone Tam - Weather Warning
Tropical Cyclone Tam is expected to bring significant wind and rainfall to our region from midday Thursday (17 April) to midnight Friday (18 April).
Get updates and more information »
Bay of Plenty Civil Defence | Whakatāne District Council Facebook page
News
Impressive prize pool for Local Wild Food Challenge
A prize pool worth over $4,500 is up for grabs at this weekend’s Local Wild Food Challenge at Mahy Reserve in Ōhope.
Learn to swim lessons at Edgecumbe pool
Whakatāne District Council Aquatic Centre staff will be offering learn to swim lessons at the Edgecumbe pool, commencing 5 February.
The Art of New Zealand in Three Dimensions
Over 230 works of art have been submitted to the 2018 Molly Morpeth Canaday 3D Award from across the country, and judging is officially underway.
Edgecumbe College pool to open for community use on Tuesday, 22 January
Work is underway to urgently install a new chlorination system at the Edgecumbe College pool, so that the facility can be open to the community for the rest of the summer.
Community feedback sought on proposed bylaw changes
As part of an ongoing bylaw review, the Whakatāne District Council is proposing to introduce a new Traffic and Speeds Bylaw and revoke both Part 12 (Traffic and Speed Limits) and Part 4 (Mobile Trading) of its existing Consolidated Bylaw 2008.
Ōtarawairere mooring out of action
The Whakatāne District Council advises vessel skippers that the mooring buoy in Otatawairere Bay has been damaged and is unsafe for use until repairs are completed.
Short Street history wanted
The Whakatāne District Council is considering a request to rename all or part of Short Street in Whakatāne as Gwenda Ruegg Lane.
Herald best beach competition “flawed”
Whakatāne Mayor Tony Bonne has described the New Zealand Herald’s approach to finding the best beach in the country as “flawed and, frankly, a bit silly”.
Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway upgrade begins next week
Work will begin on the upgrading of the Kōhī Point-to-Ōtarawairere section of the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway at the beginning of next week.
Summer reading fun for kids
The Whakatāne District Library is inviting all children from ages five to 12 to take part in the “Wild about Reading” summer reading programme.
Voluntary water conservation measures encouraged in Whakatāne and Ōhope
Water restrictions applying in Whakatāne and Ōhope have been reduced to Level 1 – voluntary conservation. That means the restrictions on hose and sprinkler use have been lifted, but the Whakatāne District Council is still asking people in Whakatāne and Ōhope to take voluntary conservation measures, to keep consumption at a reasonable level.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council monitors water levels ahead of forecast rain
With heavy rain and high winds expected to hit the Bay of Plenty over the next couple of days, lake and river levels in the region are being closely watched by Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
Restrictions on hose and sprinkler use in Whakatāne and Ōhope
‘Stage 2’ water restrictions are now in place, which indicate that hoses and sprinklers can only be used on alternate days, between the hours of 6:00 am - 8:00 am and 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Climate change action plan to be developed
At its meeting last week, the Council approved a project to develop a Climate Change Action Plan, in line with Central and Local Government’s strong stance on what is considered a major future risk to communities.
Whakatāne and Ōhope residents asked to conserve water
Water restriction status signs have been erected at key locations in Whakatāne and Ōhope to remind residents of the need to conserve water until the current period of dry weather ends.
Awatarariki plan change the "hardest decision the Council has faced"
Whakatāne District Council elected members have voted to proceed with two plan changes which would prevent further development in the high risk area of the Awatarariki Stream fanhead area in Matatā and, potentially, require existing dwellings to be removed.
Long Term Plan key issues identified
Key decisions identified for consultation with the community include: incorporating Murupara’s water and wastewater schemes in the District’s equalised schemes; the introduction of boat ramp fees; an increase in funding to attract tourists; affordability and impacts on rates; proposed, minor service changes for the Whakatāne Library and Murupara Service Centre; and an Integrated Wastewater project to serve Matatā, Edgecumbe and Whakatāne.
Businesses encouraged to join White Island initiative
Local businesses are getting behind Whakatāne District Council's project to strengthen the District's link with White Island.
Monitoring of overnight parking boosted
The Whakatāne District Council has approved additional funding of $20,000 to increase monitoring of areas designated for limited overnight parking of self-contained vehicles, reflecting ongoing complaints relating to non-compliance with regulations and 'antisocial behaviour'.
Financial forecasts indicate wide spread of rates impacts
The 2018-28 Long Term Plan Financial Forecasts report adopted by the Whakatāne District Council last week indicates a wide spread in possible rates impacts for the 2018/19 year.
We publish a number of newsletters - subscribe online to keep up to date, have your say and find out what's happening in your hapori/community.