Recent silt testing shows that there are no issues with chemical contamination in Edgecumbe township. Where there are still areas of ponding, these may contain stagnant water, but this should be a diminishing issue as water recedes and/or evaporates.

An update on the Liveable Homes project, rates postponement, Tzu Chi Foundation, and more.

Organisations and agencies which have been receiving and distributing donated goods have agreed to take a more coordinated approach as the Recovery Project develops. Rather than the duplication of these wonderful efforts, it has been decided to coordinate donated goods.

Whakatāne District Council at its meeting on 19 April 2017 amended the parking restrictions in the District.

Ōpōtiki District Council Planning, Regulatory and Customer Services Group Manager Barbara Dempsey has joined the team established by the Whakatane District Council to manage the recovery from Cyclone Debbie. 

The Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre has been granted Poolsafe accreditation by the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) for 2017-2018.

The Whakatāne District Recovery Team is working with community funding agencies, the construction industry, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, volunteer organisations and other project partners to bring together a work programme to help people who don’t have the means to repair their flood-damaged houses to get back into their homes.

The Whakatāne District Council is working with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to define the criteria for Edgecumbe businesses affected by this month’s flooding to apply for Government support funding.