This update includes information on a heavy traffic exemption, proposed expansion of the CCTV network, and boat ramp fees.

Heavy traffic exemption granted

An application for a heavy traffic exemption to the Traffic and Speed Bylaw was approved at an extraordinary meeting of the Whakatāne District Council earlier this month. The exemption will allow logs harvested from a Paparoa Road woodlot to be transported via Ōhope and Whakatāne. The alternative would have required the loads to travel via the State Highway network through Nukuhou North and Tāneatua, adding 56km and approximately 40-50 minutes’ travel time per truck, per round trip.  

The exemption was granted with a number of conditions, including:

• Truck movements through Ōhope and Whakatāne urban areas will be restricted to daylight hours, 6am to 6pm, Monday to Friday only.
• The exemption applies only to the harvest of this particular woodlot, and it is noted that the harvest operation is expected to be completed by the end of February 2018.
• There will be no more than five return truck and trailer movements per day.
• No truck movements will occur during peak traffic times at Ōhope Primary School.
• No engine braking will be allowed in the urban area.
• Empty return trips are to be completed with trailers carried on the truck unit, where practicable.
• Logging truck drivers will be reminded at their daily Health and Safety start-up meetings that they pose an increased safety risk to other traffic and pedestrians and that they are expected to drive with extra vigilance, caution and consideration for other road users and pedestrians.

CCTV network expansion discussed

In support of a report item regarding the future expansion of the District’s CCTV network, the Council’s Projects and Services Committee public forum heard a presentation by a Coastlands/Piripai community group regarding the installation of a CCTV camera in the vicinity of the Keepa/Bunyan Road roundabout. After holding a community meeting, the group investigated the viability of a fixed surveillance camera for the Coastlands area and also raised the necessary funds to install the camera through donations and sponsorship. Contributing local businesses were offered space on an accompanying sign as part of the sponsorship package, though District Plan rules required a resource consent for the sign. 

The Committee heard that the Whakatāne Community Safety Group (made up of representatives from the Police, Community Patrol and Whakatāne District Council) had indicated an openness to expand the Council’s network. However, it was noted that some of the communities wanting to be involved, such as the Coastlands group, are not considered to be priority areas. 

The committee indicated that expansion of the CCTV network in non-priority areas would be considered if communities could fund the initial cost of installation, with Council then taking on ownership and ongoing maintenance and renewal costs, while Police would be responsible for monitoring and accessing the data in the event of an incident. This would ensure appropriate use of cameras, while promoting community safety. It would also enable communities which wish to initiate and fund schemes to do so within the Council’s network. Committee members noted that this approach could set a precedent, which could lead to a large number of cameras being added to the Council’s network, increasing ongoing maintenance and renewal costs.

Boat ramp fees out of consultation process

At its 1 February meeting, the Projects and Services Committee voted against a recommendation to include the establishment of boat ramp user fees as a consultation item in Council’s upcoming Long Term Plan 2018-28. While a number of committee members supported taking the option of boat ramp user fees to the wider community for feedback, concerns about the difficulty of establishing an efficient collection and enforcement process, and the expectation of increased services, saw the proposal lapse.