The Whakatāne District Council has approved a $5000 contribution to the Rotorua Mayoral Relief Fund, set up to assist the victims of flash flooding on 29 April.

In his report to last week’s Council meeting, Mayor Tony Bonne said that although the Rotorua emergency event was on a smaller scale than last year’s flooding disaster in the Whakatāne District, its impact had nevertheless been significant.

“Our Council’s Recovery Manager, GIS and communications staff and Navigator service have all assisted their Rotorua counterparts with information and advice, and we have also deployed a Building Control Officer to assist with damage assessments,” Mayor Bonne reported. “Last year, I was overwhelmed by the support neighbouring councils provided for our Relief Fund, and I feel that it would be appropriate to make some contribution now to our neighbours at Rotorua Lakes Council.”

His recommendation that a $5000 contribution be made to Rotorua’s Mayoral Relief Fund was adopted unanimously.