Closed consultations

This section contains past consultations which have now closed. These consultations are no longer active and are presented exclusively for archival purposes. More information is available within each consultation's page.

Draft Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

We've developed a draft Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy and want to know what you think.

Draft Public Places Bylaw and Freedom Camping Bylaw

We're proposing to remove the freedom camping rules from within the Public Places Bylaw and make a standalone bylaw. One of the reasons for doing this is to make the freedom camping rules easier to find for people outside of the district.

Fees and charges for 2023/24

We're reviewing fees and charges for 2023-2024.

Whāia tonuhia - Let's keep moving

We're starting to work on a long-term vision for the District, this work will not only set Council's priorities and direction, but it will carry the thoughts, aspirations and dreams of our communities and turn them into action.

Backflow Prevention Policy

We're proposing a new policy to prevent the backflow of water from private properties that may pose a serious risk to the wider public’s health.

Property Policy 2023

The purpose of this Policy is to provide clear and transparent processes and principles for how Council manages and makes decisions about property.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Local Alcohol Policy 2022/23 Thumbnail

Eastern Bay of Plenty Local Alcohol Policy 2022/23 Review

Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki, and Kawerau District councils have now adopted their provisional Joint Local Alcohol Policy 2023 (LAP).

Te Ara Hou

Whakatāne Town Centre and Riverfront. A once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise the Whakatāne town centre and riverfront area. Thank you for your interest, the first stage of consultation has now closed.

Dog Control Policy Review 2022

Whakatāne District Council is reviewing its Dog Control Policy and the draft Policy is now available for community feedback.

Fees and Charges Proposal for 2022/23

We're proposing some price adjustments to our Fees and Charges Schedule and we want to hear from you on those changes. Find out more »

Gambling Venues Policy review - Te Arotakenga o te Kaupapa Here Whare Petipeti

We are reviewing our Gambling Venues Policy and want to hear your views on our proposals. Find out more »

Innovating Streets

Council has secured $494,000 of funding from Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency) to work with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, community and town centre businesses to co-design and activate space in the Kākahoroa Drive car park area.

Financial Policies (Long Term Plan 2021-31)

We're proposing small changes to a number of financial policies that support the Long Term Plan. The draft budgets in our Long Term Plan are based on these draft policies and plans. Find out more »

Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP)

We're seeking feedback from our communities about whether we are on the right track to manage and minimise our waste. Find out more »

Long Term Plan 2021-31 Consultation

We've started the process to create our next Long Term Plan for 2021-31. This will set out what we intend to deliver for our communities over the next 10 years, with the first three years in more detail.

Waste Awareness Survey 2021 / He Rangahau Mōhiotanga Para 2021

We need to find out how aware our communities are of waste management in the Whakatāne District.

Annual Plan, Te Mahere Ā-Tau 2020/21 Consultation

Our proposed changes this year represent a great deal of change from the Long-Term Plan, as we recover from the dual blow of the Whakaari / White Island eruption and COVID-19. It also includes funding for some truly exciting projects. Thank you for your interest, consultation has now closed. Find out more »

Draft Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2020

We've reviewed the Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2018 as a result of a request for natural burials to be allowed in the Whakatāne District. Consultation has now closed. Find out more »

Climate Change Strategy and Action Plans

Thank you for your interest, consultation closed 5 pm, Friday 4 September 2020. Our climate is changing and the implications are significant. Our community has already voiced the urgency of taking early climate action.

Dangerous and Insanitary Building Policy Consultation

Thank you for your interest, consultation closed on Friday, 28 June 2019. Submission and feedback was considered and the policy adopted on Thursday, 29 August 2019. We're proposing changes to our Earthquake-prone, Dangerous and Insanitary Building Policy. Council hasn't made a final decision about the Policy and welcomes your feedback.
The Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Buildings Policy 2019 is available on the Policies A-Z page

Draft Climate Change Principles

Thank you for your interest, engagement on our draft Principles closed on Friday, 30 August 2019. Feedback will be considered and the final Principles adopted by the Council on Wednesday, 18 September 2019. If you would like to learn more about our Climate Change Project, or provide further feedback to the Council on our Project, please see our Climate Change Project Page.

Draft Parks and Reserves Bylaw 2018

Council staff have reviewed Part 17: Parks and Reserves Bylaw 2008 and consider that while some of the bylaw is relevant and working well, much of it duplicates other bylaws or prohibits activities already covered by legislation. Therefore the most significant change proposed in this Draft Bylaw is the deletion of 14 sections from the existing bylaw.

Future in Focus - Arotahi ki Anamata

Our District and communities will face some big challenges and opportunities over the coming ten years and beyond. This represents an exciting time to ‘Reimagine’ what the future of our District can be. Thank you for your interest, consultation has now closed. Find out more »

Annual Plan 2019/20 - Consultation

Thank you for your interest, consultation closed 5pm, Monday, 29 April 2019.
We want your thoughts on important decisions for the Annual Plan 2019/20. Please read our Consultation Document, consider the costs and benefits of the changes we are proposing, and let us know your thoughts.
View the Annual Plan, Te Mahere Rautaki 2019/20

Proposed Plan Change 1 (Awatarariki Fanhead, Matatā) - Notification of Decisions Requested by Submissions and Further Submissions Sought

A proposed plan change seeking the identification of the Awatarariki Debris Flow Policy Area, including a "high risk", "medium risk" and a "low risk" area, and rezoning the high risk area from Residential to Coastal Protection Zone at the Awatarariki Fanhead, Matatā.

Significance and Engagement Policy

We're committed to making informed and sustainable decisions in the best interests of the communities and District and to ensure that the decisions made reflect the aspirations of tangata whenua, residents, ratepayers, community groups and business. Kōrero Mai - Let's Talk »

Proposed Plan Change 2 (Keepa Road) - Notification of Decisions Requested by Submissions and Further Submissions Sought

Council has received a private plan change request from Harrison Grierson Consultants Limited on behalf of Lysaght Developments. Plan Change 2 is a private plan change request that seeks to change the zone of two parcels of land at 23 and 45 Keepa Road, Whakatāne.

Gambling Policy Review 2019

The draft Gambling Policy is now available for community input, along with the draft Social Impact Assessment which has helped to inform the Policy revision.
28 May 2019 - Committee adopts unchanged Gambling Policy, read the media release.

Proposed Plan Change 1 (Awatarariki Fanhead, Matatā) - material incorporated by reference

Proposed Plan Change 1 (Awatarariki Fanhead, Matatā) to the Whakatāne District Plan and Proposed Plan Change 17 (Awatarariki Fanhead) to the Bay of Plenty Regional Natural Resources Plan are soon to be jointly publicly notified for submissions.

Draft Alcohol Bylaw 2018

The Council has reviewed Part 15: Liquor Control of the Consolidated Bylaw 2008 and wishes to revoke it and replace it with the Draft Alcohol Control Bylaw 2018.

Draft Beaches Bylaw 2018

The Council has reviewed Part 13: Beaches of the Consolidated Bylaw 2008 and wishes to revoke it and replace it with the Draft Beaches Bylaw 2018.

Draft Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2018

The Council has reviewed Part 9: Cemeteries and Crematoria of the Consolidated Bylaw 2008 and wishes to revoke it and replace it with the Draft Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2018.

Draft Dog Control Bylaw 2018

The Council has reviewed Part 6: Dog Control of the Consolidated Bylaw 2008 and wishes to revoke it and replace it with the Draft Dog Control Bylaw 2018.

Draft Ports and Wharves Bylaw 2018

The Council has reviewed Part 14: Ports and Wharves of the Consolidated Bylaw 2008 and wishes to revoke it and replace it with the Draft Ports and Wharves Bylaw 2018.

Proposed Plan Change 2 (Keepa Road)

Draft Traffic and Speed Limits Bylaw 2018

The Council seeks your views on the Draft Traffic and Speed Limits Bylaw 2018 – a revised and updated version of the existing bylaw.

Proposal: Revoking the Mobile Trading Bylaw 2008

The Council proposes to revoke its Mobile Trading Bylaw 2008 and is seeking your views.

Proposed Awatarariki District Plan Change and Private Plan Change Request to Bay of Plenty Regional Council

The Whakatāne District Council initiated a change to its District Plan and submitted its Private Plan Change Request to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to address the high level of risk to life on part of the Awatarariki Fanhead in Matatā.

Draft District Reserve Management Plan

This Draft Plan will provide the Council with a clear framework for the day to day management and decision making for all the Council owned reserves and open spaces within the District.

Revoking Part 19: Nuisances and Public Health Bylaw 2008

The Council proposed to revoke its Nuisances and Public Heath Bylaw 2008 and sought your views.

Draft Waste Minimisation and Management Bylaw 2018

The Whakatāne District Council sought your views on a new Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw.

Draft Control of Animals (Excluding Dogs), Bees and Poultry Bylaw

The Whakatāne District Council sought your views on a new Control of Animals (Excluding Dogs), Bees and Poultry Bylaw.

Draft Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy 2017

Whakatāne District Council proposed a new Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy and sought your views.

Possible introduction of Māori Wards

The Council’s Policy Committee asked for feedback from Iwi, Hapū and individual community members on options for enhancing Māori involvement in Council decision-making processes.

Whakatāne Town Centre Plan

Whakatāne District Council is currently reviewing the Whakatāne Town Vision Plan, and we asked for your input to help prepare a fresh Town Centre Plan for Whakatāne.

Changes to Resource Management Act Fees and Charges

This consultation closed 5 pm on Friday, 13 October 2017.

Easter Sunday Trading - shopowner consultation

The law around whether shops can open on Easter Sunday changed last year. Councils can now adopt a policy that allows shops in their district to choose whether they want to open on Easter Sunday. We want to know what you think, should we allow shops to choose to open on Easter Sunday?

Proposed Policy – Freeholding of Harbour Lease Land

Since 2002, a moratorium has been in place to prevent the sale of leasehold land in the town centre. This proposed freeholding policy would continue the general prohibition of land sales, unless a compelling case can be presented to show that such a sale would significantly benefit the community.

Combined Waters Bylaw 2017

The Whakatāne District Council (the Council) seeks your views on a new Combined Waters Bylaw. The proposed bylaw contains a revised, updated version of three existing bylaw parts of Whakatāne District Council’s Consolidated Bylaw which are due to expire in 2018.

Proposed changes to Fees and Charges - food industry and licenced premises

The Whakatāne District Council is proposing to include a section of new fees in its Fees and Charges Schedule for 2017/18, as a result of the commencement of the Food Act 2014. Council is also reviewing the fees and charges currently set out in Sections 26 and 28.3 of the Schedule (General Licences, Registration, Verification, and Audit Fees).

CCTV Policy review

The Whakatāne Community Safety Group heard the views of the community on the draft CCTV Policy.

Annual Budget Update 2016/17 - consultation

While our budget and work plans for the coming year are set out in the Council’s Long Term Plan 2015-25, the Annual Plan provides an opportunity to make adjustments for the year ahead, where needed.

Gambling Policy Review

The Gambling Policy (Class 4 Venue and Board Venue) focuses on non-casino gaming machines (pokies) and Board Venues (stand-alone TABs). It specifies whether or not gaming machine venues may be established in the District and, if so, where they may be located.

Improving Water Quality to Edgecumbe and Te Teko

A project to improve the quality of water supplied to Edgecumbe, with future stages looking at other areas of the Rangitāiki Plains, such as Awakeri and Te Teko. Five possible options have been put forward for consideration and we are now seeking community views on which option to pursue.

Final proposal for representation arrangements for the 2016 Local Elections

Any person who made a submission on the Council’s initial proposal for representation arrangements for the 2016 Local Elections may lodge an appeal against the Council’s decision.

Public Places Bylaw consultation

The Council’s Public Places Bylaw has been reviewed and was made available for community consultation. Submissions were received from Friday, 6 November 2015 to 5 pm Monday, 7 December 2015.

Representation Review 2015

The Whakatāne District Council confirmed its preferred democratic representation structure for the next six years and sought formal community feedback on the proposal.

Sullivan Lake Reserve Draft Management Plan

The Whakatāne District Council has approved the Sullivan Lake Reserve Draft Management Plan for public consultation.

Long Term Plan 2015-25 - Consultation

Find information on the Long Term Plan 2015-25 consultation process.

Proposed Whakatāne District Plan - submissions and hearings

Council notified the summary of decisions sought in submissions and called for further submissions either in support or in opposition to original submissions. Further submissions closed 5 pm, 19 December 2013. Further submissions to original submissions 71 and 75 closed 30 January 2014.