Processing of feedback received through the first stage of engagement on the Whakatāne Town Centre and Riverfront Revitalisation programme has revealed the community’s top six themes.

This information - along with all other feedback received - will be used to inform concept designs for the town centre and riverfront that will be brought back to the community for a second round of engagement in the new year.

The top six themes are:

1. Create spaces for activities and events, and encourage family-friendly activities
2. Create and encourage pedestrian-friendly streets, alternative transport options and improve disability parking
3. Connect to the river, create a wide promenade with hospitality and public facilities
4. Retain car parking and/or change car parking facilities (including parking building/s)
5. Enhance natural environment connections, promote green spaces and parks
6. Greater recognition of local Māori culture and enhancing connections

Nearly 1400 responses were received during the public engagement period from 19 September to 16 October. Much of this feedback came through Council’s Kōrero Mai website, the engagement hub that was open daily at Wharaurangi for three weeks, and through email and hard copy submissions. There was also considerable feedback generated from a publicly-led Facebook page on the subject.

Engagement with iwi and hapū has also been initiated, with more planned over the coming months.

Julie Gardyne, General Manager Strategy and Transformation, says the comprehensive feedback gives the project team a lot of information to work with when coming up with draft concept designs.

"Despite the uncertainties of Covid, which affected engagement planning, the District has come out and had its say. While this is just the first of two engagement opportunities on the proposed town centre and riverfront revitalisation, it’s really pleasing to see the enthusiasm that people have for getting this right. 

"We look forward now to coming back in the new year with draft concept designs that begin to express these key themes, and to discuss these designs with our communities."

Council will be supporting CBD events and promotions over the busy summer months and Mrs Gardyne encourages people to think about how these and other events and activities could be enhanced in future through potential changes to some of these key community spaces.

Government funding of $9.6 million was received through the Provincial Growth Fund for this once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise the town centre and strengthen ties with our awa, with the intention of creating or enabling long lasting social, environmental, cultural and economic benefits for all our community.

The Whakatāne Town Centre and Riverfront Revitalisation programme is part of the Provincial Development Unit-supported Te Ara Hou suite of projects, which includes the Whakatāne Town Wharf Remediation. This project, to strengthen and futureproof the busy town wharf area, is now well advanced. Work will stop briefly over the Christmas period and is due for completion mid-2021.

View the full consultation report and a summary document »