This was a highly successful programme including nine roading, infrastructure and environmental projects from May to November 2020.
The projects began after we and our Bay of Plenty Regional Council partners secured $8.229 million from the national Provincial Growth Fund.
The programme created jobs and provided urgent economic relief for our workforce, particularly people who had lost their jobs through the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of this, one of the key elements of Kia Kaha Whakatāne was called 'social procurement'. This saw the councils work with local agencies, including the Ministry of Social Development, to get unemployed people back into the workforce.
Additionally, several local contractors were able to retain staff for these projects, providing them with training and career development opportunities.
The programme aimed to support the employment of 130 people across the region. It achieved almost double this goal - creating the equivalent of 250 full-time jobs over a six-month period.
Among other achievements were the following:
- 14,000 native plants were planted
- 35 contracting companies involved
- 110 formerly unemployed people employed
- 65 existing employees retained
- 35 reserves, 27 playgrounds, 5 cemeteries and 3 campgrounds enhanced
- 20km of walking tracks upgraded
- 47km of waterways cleared of wilding pest trees
- 2000 wilding pines destroyed
- 295km of bait station track maintenance
- 30 chainsaw/tree felling qualifications gained
- 53 traffic management qualifications gained
Kia Kaha Whakatāne projects
- Roading Projects
The following table provides details of Kia Kaha Whakatāne projects related to our Roading infrastructure services. Project Personnel
Full Time Employees (FTE)Benefits Duration of the project Wainui Road/Stanley Intersection
Construction of a right turn bay at the Wainui Road/Stanley Road intersection. Associated pavement, shoulder widening and drainage improvements will be incorporated into the work.
12 FTE This project forms part of safety improvements that were identified through a coastal arterial route strategy.
The work will increase the level of safety at this intersection on Wainui Road and forms part of the long term safety strategy for Wainui Road.
3 Months Wainui Road/Harrison Road Intersection
Construction of Right Turn Bay at the Wainui Road/Harrison Road intersection. Associated pavement, shoulder widening and drainage improvements will be incorporated into the work.
12 FTE As above 2 Months Bunyan Road Seal Extension/Te Ara a Kiore
Upgrading an unsealed section of Bunyan Road to a sealed pavement and construction of new 2.5m shared-use path along the full length of Bunyan Road East to serve new, and future development, in the area.
11 FTE The work will increase the level of service for residents and road users who use Bunyan Road East now and into the future. The shared-use path component will create a safe and robust facility designed to cater for general pedestrians and cyclists, but is also designed for mobility impaired pedestrians who may use wheelchairs/mobility scooters, and also children. This component aligns with 'Active Whakatāne' and the Council's walking and cycling strategy. 3 Months Wildling Tree and Plant Pest Removal within the Road Reserve.
A programme of wildling trees and pest plants removal along the Council’s roading network. There are currently five arborist-led crews carrying out work to remove these hazards and pest plants. The crews are currently working in the following areas: Galatea, Wainui, Rūātoki and Manawahe.
30 FTE These trees and pest plants can create hazardous roadsides and promote the spread of invasive plant pests into neighbouring properties. 6 Months
- Three Waters Projects
The following table provides details of Kia Kaha Whakatāne projects related to our Three Waters (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater) infrastructure services. Project Personnel
Full Time Employees (FTE)Benefits Duration of the project Three Waters Asset Condition Assessment of Underground Pipe Networks
To include wastewater and storm water pipe systems.
Three Waters Asset Condition Assessment of Manholes/Chambers
Within wastewater and stormwater systems.
Three Waters Location of Field Asset Data for Water Safety Plan Backflow Prevention Devices
Three Waters Mechanical Maintenance capacity strengthening
Wastewater and Stormwater Pump stations maintenance strengthening
9 FTE A programme of assessment, maintenance and improvement of Council water assets. 6 Months
- Airport Project
The following table provides detail of Kia Kaha Whakatāne projects related to our Airport. Project Personnel
Full Time Employees (FTE)Benefits Duration of the project Whakatāne Airport water main upgrade
Due to health and safety requirements, installation of a new backflow prevention device to protect main water supply from contamination. This will be achieved by installing 2.6 kilometres of new water lines to existing cattle troughs on Council-owned land surrounding the airport and isolating the existing water feed under the airport runway.
2-7 FTE . 2-3 Weeks
- Parks and Reserves Projects
The following table provides detail of Kia Kaha Whakatāne projects related to our Parks and Reserves. Project Personnel
Full Time Employees (FTE)Benefits Duration of the project Playground enhancement
Waterblasting all timber structures/timber edging on 35 playgrounds across the District. Refresh/repainting 25 playgrounds throughout District. Aerate/replenish cushionfall safety surfacing on 31 playgrounds.
Timber edging repair/Replacement as required. Assist with removal of existing safety surfacing and preparation of sites for replacement matting of playgrounds as required.
5 FTE Increased safety for public amenities including walking tracks. Protection of fragile dune areas Noxious weeds /exotics removed from native bush area. Waterways enhanced through weed removal. Overall greater visual enhancement of all amenities, parks and reserves and streets in the Eastern Bay region. 6 Months Recreation Walkway Enhancement
Maintenance of 10km of walking tracks including construction/clearing of water channels, replenishment of track surface material. Maintenance of structures including boardwalks, steps handrails, etc. Vegetation control, including weedeating and removal of overhang on either side of the path along entire track network. Pest plant control along entire network incl wattle, privet etc. Maintenance of vegetation along common boundaries of scenic reserve.
4 FTE 6 Months Streetscape Enhancement
Mechanical edging of accessways & footpaths throughout the District on cyclical programme. Upgrade/refresh of all street furniture including replacement, waterblasting, painting. Chemical control of weeds/grass on footpaths
5 FTE 6 Months Reserve Enhancement
Waterblasting fences, paths, structures. Mechanical edging of all reserve paths obstacles on cyclical programme. Upgrade/refresh of all reserve furniture including replacement/preparation & painting ie picnic tables, seats, bollards, fences. Maintenance of amenity gardens including planting, weeding & mulching. Maintenance of revegetation sites including chemical control, weedeating, mulching, etc.
4 FTE 6 Months Fore dune Enhancement
Replacement/renewal/installation of dune protection fencing Pikowai, Thornton, Coastlands, Ōhope. Upgrading/replacement of timber barrier fencing along all beach accessways which has been buried/affected by the significant buildup of beach sand over a number of years. Pest plant control within protected dune areas, eg lupin, ice plant.
4 FTE 6 Months Nursery development
Construction of potting shed for propagation and holding of amenity plants prior to planting. Site preparation for works.
4 FTE 6 Months
- Bay of Plenty Regional Council Projects
The following table provides detail of Kia Kaha Whakatāne projects that will be completed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Project Personnel
Full Time Employees (FTE)Benefits Duration of the project Rivers & Drainage - Removal of wildling trees along river systems.
Restrained maintenance budgets have not kept up with the growth of wilding trees along river and drainage systems.
13 FTE This project involves the targeted removal of wilding trees and pest plants alongside rivers and waterways. Wilding pest trees can obstruct our waterways and cause local erosion issues that threaten adjacent land and stopbanks. Often these evasive trees are fast growing, easy to reproduce and tolerant of all conditions. They can quickly shading out native plants and becoming the dominant species. 6 Months Coastal Catchment - Track maintenance, shore cleaning, wilding pine control (see sub project below)
Planting
Up to 12,000 plants. Tirohanga dunes 2000 plants.
5 FTE This project involves native plantings in the Waiotahi and Nukuhou North area. Planting natives provides a wide range of benefits including increasing native biodiversity, creating habitat for native wildlife stabilising soil and enhancing water quality and landscapes. Two weeks Manawahe Kokako Trust
Track maintenance and bait station maintenance.
6 FTE Introduced predators have a negative impact on our native species and fauna. Bait stations are an effective way of controlling pests in our native bush so that the community can enjoy the natural environment. 1 Month Potential project: Wilding pine control
Wilding pine control in various locations along Rangitāiki River (in particular around Lake Matahina, Waiohau, Minginui)
8-12 FTE This project involves the targeted removal of wilding pines along the Rangitāiki River. Wilding pines overwhelm our native and productive landscapes. They take the sunshine, water and nutrients other plants need to grow and then quickly become the dominant species. Wilding pines can irreversibly change some of our threatened and rare ecosystems, meaning that once an area is invaded by wilding pines, it can be difficult to return it to its original state. 3 Months Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park
Public walking track upgrading and track construction. Involves benching tracks (shovel work) and construction of wooden steps in places.
4 FTE The upgrade and construction of public walking tracks will support community access to the Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park. 4 Weeks Ōhope Whakatane Kiwi Reserves including Uretara Island
Track maintenance and bait station maintenance.
4-14 FTE The upgrade and maintenance of public walking tracks will support community access to our Ōhope/ Whakatāne Kiwi Reserves Introduced predators have a negative impact on our native species and fauna. Bait stations are an effective way of controlling pests in our native bush so that the community can enjoy the natural environment. 4 Weeks Coast Care additional weed control and plant releasing
Waihī, Matakana, Eastern BOP, Kaituna
3 FTE This project supports the restorations of our dunes systems. Dunes are the backbone of our beaches, the buffer between the land and the sea. Healthy dunes are wide, gently sloping and have many dune plants to help anchor them. We now know that native dune plants play a vital role in maintaining the dunes, binding light blowing sand onto the beach, and making stable sand dunes. Without these plants, the sand blows away and dunes disappear - leaving the land vulnerable to erosion. 6 Months
If you require further information on this programme, contact us.
Project Updates
31 August 2020 - Kia Kaha Whakatāne - New job, new skills and new experiences
The new recruits are among dozens in the Eastern Bay of Plenty who have been helped back into the work force through the Provincial Growth Fund’s $8.2m investment in the Whakatāne District Council-led Kia Kaha Whakatāne project.
28 July 2020 - Kia Kaha Whakatāne projects keeping local people and companies working
More than 160 people are currently working on roading, infrastructure and environmental projects throughout the District as part of the Kia Kaha Whakatāne programme - including more than 90 people who were formerly unemployed.
10 July 2020 - Kia Kaha Whakatāne and the Provincial Growth Fund - getting people back to work and the economy flowing
Before COVID-19, Matt was playing professional rugby in Japan, but like many people, his life changed dramatically amid the global pandemic. He and his partner had returned home to visit New Zealand for a week as the country suddenly went into lockdown Alert Level 4, they found themselves unable to return and his rugby season cut short.
29 June 2020 - Local economy given immediate kickstart through additional Provincial Growth Fund funding
An immediate cash injection of $2.5 million from the Government will go towards a suite of projects aimed at transforming the Whakatāne riverfront and CBD, boosting employment and stimulating the regional economy.
