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News
New mural for Kopeopeo
A huge shout-out to the students and teachers of Whakatāne High School – Te Kura ō Te Mānuka Tūtahi for a project that’s brightening up Kopeopeo.
Council approves draft Long Term Plan for consultation
Last week, Whakatāne District Council Elected Members agreed to begin consultation for the draft Long Term Plan 2024-34 and its supporting documents, with the Mayor and Councillors making it clear they’re expecting community feedback and are listening.
Whakatāne District Mayor, Dr Victor Luca, opened the Environment, Energy and Resilience Committee meeting with a summary of the process to date and highlighted the significant challenges that the current financial environment has presented.
Wharfside at Port Ōhope – a summer success story
After a thriving summer season, the Port Ōhope Wharfside activity and food hub is proving to be a drawcard for both visitors and locals, establishing itself as the place to be in Ōhope and boosting revenue for local businesses.
Council meets this week to adopt draft Long Term Plan for consultation
The Whakatāne District Council draft Long Term Plan 2024-34 has been prepared and the Mayor and Councillors will meet this week to adopt the plan for consultation at the Energy, Environment and Resilience Committee meeting on Wednesday (6 March).
Whakatāne District Mayor, Dr Victor Luca says from all accounts this has been one of the most challenging environments in which to develop a draft Long Term Plan.
Braemar Road - Permanent repair works - start date brought forward
Change to road closure dates
Due to contractor availability, we advise the start date for construction works on the permanent repair solution for the Braemar Road site has been brought forward.
Works will now commence next Wednesday, 13 March 2024 and are expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete. Therefore, we are expecting construction to be completed by approximately Friday, 26 April 2024 (weather dependant).
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.
Water Shutdown for parts of the Alexander Ave and King Street Neighbourhood
Date: Tuesday 27 February 2024
Time: 8.00pm – 12.00 midnight
Impacted Properties: 29 – 79 Alexander Avenue (odd numbers only), 50 Douglas Street, 149, 166 and 166A King Street, all of Tāne Lane.
Whakatāne District Council advises there will be a water shutdown overnight tomorrow, Tuesday 27 February, from 8pm through to midnight, for some homes and businesses in the Alexander Avenue and King Street neighbourhood.
Edgecumbe and Thornton to get a new shared pathway
Work will soon start on the first stage of a much anticipated shared pathway between Edgecumbe and Thornton.
The project has been a long-standing aspiration for the local Edgecumbe community and is part of the wider vision of creating walking and cycling loops across the Whakatāne District.
Whakatāne District Council secured $900,000 from the Department of Internal Affairs Better Off Funding package to complete the shared pathway, which will enhance the accessibility and enjoyment of the scenic route for people of all ages and abilities.
Mayor's Expectations for LTP 2024-2034
Central banks the world over have created unprecedented amounts of new money since the link between the USD and gold was severed in 1971. Monetary stimulus, which accelerated after the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), went into overdrive when COVID-19 hit the globe in 2020.
Council says financial impacts are extreme - “Our ‘ground zero’ is double-digits”
Councils are continually being asked to cut costs but keep delivering the same services, and that’s simply not possible.
Whakatāne District Council Chief Financial Officer and GM Business Partnering Gary Connolly says that the funding demands on local government are exceeding what it’s capable of achieving, and Whakatāne District Council is not exempt.
Mobile service vans to connect remote communities in Whakatāne District
Whakatāne District Council is launching two new vans to bring Council services and information closer to rural and isolated communities.
Major upgrade to Braemar water supply completed
A major and innovative upgrade of the Braemar Water Treatment Plant has been celebrated with representatives from all aspects of the project gathering onsite Tuesday (13 February) for an official blessing and opening ceremony.
38th Annual Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Awards open this weekend
Following weeks of preparation, staff at Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi / Whakatāne Library and Galleries are today putting the finishing touches on one the country’s longest standing art accolades ahead of opening weekend.
Council meeting live streaming launches this week
Whakatāne District Council will start live streaming Council and Committee meetings via from Thursday, 15 February 2024.
Whakatāne District Youth Council applications open for 2024
Applications are now open for the Whakatāne District Youth Council / Kaunihera Taiohi.
Submissions open for proposed Plan Change 8
Whakatāne District Council has opened community submissions for Plan Change 8, a proposed amendment to the Whakatāne District Plan aimed at increasing housing capacity within the district.
Changes to Whakatāne District kerbside recycling
Whakatāne District residents can now add plastics graded 5 and empty pizza boxes to the list of things they can recycle in their kerbside collections.
Temporary bacterial contamination health warning
Routine water monitoring has found poor water quality in the Whakatāne River at Landing Road bridge.
This temporary health warning means people should avoid any activity which results in contact with the water as well as fishing at this site.
Anyone suffering illness after contact with the contaminated water should seek medical assistance.
This health warning will be lifted when testing shows that the water quality has improved.
Signage advising the public about this health warning will be erected ASAP.
Heritage Gallery to temporarily close for maintenance
Te Pātaka Kōrero Heritage Gallery at Te Koputu a te Whanga a Toi, will close on Monday for a period of three weeks to allow staff to carry out important maintenance works.
Manager Collections and Research Mark Sykes says the temporary closure of Te Pātaka Kōrero will dovetail with the closing of Whakatāne Galleries current exhibition.
Council signals rates increases
Whakatāne District Council has indicated large rates increases may be difficult to avoid due to the impacts of significant operating and infrastructure costs, coupled with the limitations to how councils are funded.
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