The Whakatāne District Council’s Policy committee has agreed to initiate a variation to the Proposed District Plan, which will seek to have the existing residential zoning for the area impacted by the 2005 debris flow from the Awatarariki Stream at Matatā replaced with a more appropriate zoning.

Volunteers are being sought to help enrich the visitor experience provided by the Museum and art gallery spaces at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi.  

A more holistic approach to managing drinking water has been proposed for the Whakatāne District, to ensure that an integrated approach is taken to future investment and upgrading priorities.

The economic benefits of using White Island/Whakaari as a key promotional tool for Whakatāne are to be assessed through a project incorporating the region’s major tourism stakeholders.

The Whakatāne District Council has invited selected real estate agencies to submit proposals for marketing its landholding at 77 Bunyan Road for “residential and lifestyle retirement village development purposes”.

An important stormwater upgrading project is set to begin in Ōhope next week, with the installation of soakage modules and associated structures at three beach access points on Pohutukawa Avenue.

The upgraded Ōtarawairere Bay-West End section of the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway is now open to recreational users. 

A build-up of sand on the spit adjacent to the Whakatāne River mouth will be removed later this week, reducing the potential for upstream flooding issues during extreme rain events.

The Whakatāne District Council’s pre-election report for the forthcoming local government elections is now available for voters and candidates to refer to.