A major upgrade to the McAlister Street stormwater pump station has reached its final stage, with modifications to the existing pump house structure being undertaken over the next four months. This follows the installation of a new 20-metre long box culvert through the stopbank that was completed during the summer.

Additional costs relating to flooding and storm damage caused by cyclones Debbie and Cook last month will add close to 1% to rates costs across the Whakatāne District for the 2017/18 year, taking the average increase to 3.9%.

The Whakatāne District Council has approved a Draft Combined Waters Bylaw and initiated a formal public consultation process,

Testing by Opus International Consultants has confirmed that there is no heavy metal contamination in Edgecumbe.

The recent flooding has resulted in many changes to the land. All repair and maintenance work and shifting of earth may uncover or come across archaeology.

Whakatāne District Council elected members have unanimously approved the ‘Liveable Homes’ programme.

Repairs to flood-related damage to the Thornton jetty and the western infill at Whakatāne’s Main Commercial Wharf could be delayed for up to another month.

The Whakatāne District Council has agreed to raise the annual registration fee for ‘entire’ dogs by $15 per dog for the 2017/18 year, to cover an expected increase in the cost of dog control activities.

Recent silt testing shows that there are no issues with chemical contamination in Edgecumbe township. Where there are still areas of ponding, these may contain stagnant water, but this should be a diminishing issue as water recedes and/or evaporates.