As part of an ongoing bylaw review, the Whakatāne District Council is proposing to introduce a new Traffic and Speeds Bylaw and revoke both Part 12 (Traffic and Speed Limits) and Part 4 (Mobile Trading) of its existing Consolidated Bylaw 2008. 

The Whakatāne District Council is considering a request to rename all or part of Short Street in Whakatāne as Gwenda Ruegg Lane.

Work will begin on the upgrading of the Kōhī Point-to-Ōtarawairere section of the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway at the beginning of next week.

Water restrictions applying in Whakatāne and Ōhope have been reduced to Level 1 – voluntary conservation. That means the restrictions on hose and sprinkler use have been lifted, but the Whakatāne District Council is still asking people in Whakatāne and Ōhope to take voluntary conservation measures, to keep consumption at a reasonable level.

Key decisions identified for consultation with the community include: incorporating Murupara’s water and wastewater schemes in the District’s equalised schemes; the introduction of boat ramp fees; an increase in funding to attract tourists; affordability and impacts on rates; proposed, minor service changes for the Whakatāne Library and Murupara Service Centre; and an Integrated Wastewater project to serve Matatā, Edgecumbe and Whakatāne.

The Whakatāne District Council has approved additional funding of $20,000 to increase monitoring of areas designated for limited overnight parking of self-contained vehicles, reflecting ongoing complaints relating to non-compliance with regulations and 'antisocial behaviour'.