Eastern Bay of Plenty councils continue to work together on alcohol regulation and are pleased to announce the appointment of a shared Eastern Bay of Plenty District Licensing Committee (DLC) to take responsibility for local decisions relating to the sale and supply of alcohol. From December 2013, all local-level liquor licence decisions - new and renewal of premises licences, managers’ certificates, special licences and temporary authorities - will be made by the DLC.

A Whakatāne District Council-owned shop earmarked for demolition in mid-2014 is set to help young entrepreneurs gain real life business experience.

The Council owns four shops in the Whakatāne town centre which are expected to be demolished in June next year to make way for the development of a pedestrian plaza linking The Strand to the Whakatāne River-edge greenway area.

A Whakatāne District Council initiative which aims to accelerate and reduce the cost of identifying and strengthening earthquake-prone buildings has received a positive response from building owners, businesspeople and property advisers.

A forum on Monday night drew some 120 people from the property sector, including landlords, retailers and other business owners, and representatives from real estate, banking and legal organisations.

This month, Bay of Plenty residents will elect District Council, Regional Council and District Health Board members for the next three years. With only a few days to go until voting closes, Eastern Bay of Plenty Territorial Authorities are joining forces to remind voters to have their say before noon on Saturday 12 October.

To date, statistics are indicating lower than normal voter turnout, and if that trend continues, it will have a number of impacts on local residents.

Building owners and interested parties are invited to a forum this Monday, 7 October where the matters relating to earthquake-prone buildings will be discussed. The forum will be held by Whakatāne District Council in conjunction with the Eastern Bay of Plenty Chamber of Commerce.

Travellers looking to park their self-contained vehicles overnight will soon have a number of options within the Whakatāne District.

Parking for self-contained vehicles becomes available from today (1 October 2013), following a decision by the Whakatāne District Council earlier this year.

Story scrambles, craft workshops, painting sessions and drawing lessons are some of the activities on offer these school holidays at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi – the Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre.

This year’s October school holidays coincide with the BirdsaPlenty Festival, so Te Kōputu is showing its support with some bird-themed activities. All the activities are free and open to the community with fun activity sheets also available throughout the holidays from the front desk at Te Kōputu.

The removal of most of the female ginkgo trees in Jubilee Crescent begins this week, following consultation with residents during the past year. The trees, which have affected residents largely through the offensive odours they emit, will be felled by Alfa Contracts Ltd as part of an active management programme.

The Whakatāne District Council has received close to 400 submissions on its Proposed District Plan. Submissions closed on 13 September, with feedback being received from a wide range of organisations and individuals.

All submissions, including the Council’s own, have been made available on the Whakatāne District Council website.