Continued complaints to Whakatāne District Council have prompted a reminder for owners to keep dogs on leads at all times, even as we enter Alert Level 3 next week.

The 'new normal' for Council business is sinking in with the first ever audio-visual link Extraordinary Council meeting having now taken place online, and virtual meetings.

Whakatāne Library staff have been busy during the lockdown, rolling out a new opportunity for all library members to access free audiobooks. Collections and Content Coordinator Christine Whalley says it's important for library members to know they can still access some of the same services - just in different ways.

Our District is a destination for many, so we're fortunate to be here. Enjoy your local area. We're a District that likes to swim, boat, hunt and mountain bike - but we need to avoid these activities for a short period - keep it simple. Please stick to your neighbourhood. Don't drive anywhere unless it's for essential supplies - and only one person should be going.

As autumn descends, Whakatāne residents are urged to rake up leaves on their properties, and clear leaves and debris from nearby stormwater grates to avoid possible damage from surface flooding.

Whakatāne District Council is making a number of changes to car parking along West End Road to improve the safety and usability of the area.

The Whakatāne District Council is reminding people of the six things that can be recycled in yellow-lid bins ahead of an audit of the town's recycling practices.

Whakatāne District Council is proposing making at least 20 separate changes to its Operative District Plan. The changes will incorporate assessment criteria for some activities in the District Plan where they are currently missing.