A new land-based dredging approach being trialled at the Whakatāne River entrance is providing promising results, with significant improvements in channel depth achieved in the last week.

Essential maintenance work on the wastewater system in the north-western area of Whakatāne over the next week will require residents to take action to ensure any pressurisation of sewer lines does not result in water being expelled from their toilet bowls.

The Whakatāne District Council has delayed a decision to adopt ‘Wharaurangi’ as the name for 136 The Strand – the new pedestrian plaza which forms a visual and physical link between Whakatāne’s escarpment, CBD, riverside area and the coast.

A condition assessment report on the Whakatāne Wharf has confirmed additional deterioration since it was last inspected in 2009 and sets out a number of options for repairing the structure and carrying out the required level of seismic strengthening.

An investigation of possible flood mitigation options for the Wainui Te Whara Stream in Whakatāne has indicated that channel re-grading and deepening is likely to be the fastest and most cost-effective way to reduce the risk of future stopbank overtopping.

The Whakatāne District Council has appointed a highly-experienced former marketing executive to the role of Business Services Manager.

Road reconstruction and kerb/channel works commenced on part of Hillcrest Road in Whakatāne on Wednesday.

A health warning has been issued for Lake Rotoehu, as routine monitoring results provided by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council have confirmed a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae.

Whakatāne District Council is advising Ōhope residents and motorists that stormwater works in the Maraetōtara area are set to resume from Monday, 9 February.