Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to some questions you might have about Whakatane District Council's services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I have carried out building work (without a building consent) after the commencement of the Building Act 1991?
If you have carried out work since the commencement of the Building Act 1991 please contact the District Council as soon as possible. Each case will be treated on an individual basis. It will be at the Council's discretion whether a notice to rectify will be issued or in some instances the works removed completely.
What are my options if the Building Inspector refuses to certify my building works?
If the building works carried out do not meet the standard which was applicable at the time of construction you have two choices.
1. Remove the illegal works [which in the case of a major dwelling alteration is not always feasible].
2. Carry out the remedial works to ensure compliance with the certifier's recommendations [ie, change a window frame to an opening window for ventilation]. This is acceptable only if remedial work required is of minor proportion.
Can you tell me what is the floor area of a house?
Sometimes property owners require the floor size of a residence, for insurance purposes.
The Council holds property information for consented work that has been approved and within that information we are sometimes able to tell you what the floor size of your dwelling is, depending on the age of the property.
We suggest that you either:
(a) measure up the building(s) yourself (and calculate the areas); or
(b) visit the Council and view the property file for your property, peruse it to see if there is an up-to-date drawing of the building.
Is there a limit on how many dogs I can own?
NO. The Council does not currently limit the number of dogs per property, but if there are problems you may be asked to reduce the number of dogs you own. You can contact the Animal Control Unit for advise on the number of dogs that could be suitable for your property.
Do I need a licence for every dog I own?
Yes, each dog must be licensed so the Council can keep a record of who owns dogs and where they live. This information is useful so we know where your dog lives if its found on the street.
How do I dispose of hazardous substances that are no longer required?
District Hazardous Substance Officers are able to advise on disposal methods for most products. For more information contact the Hazardous Substances Officer.
What are the requirements for storing hazardous substances?
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act are regulations and codes of practice to determine how substances should be transported, stored and used. For information on these regulations please see www.hsno.govt.nz. Or contact the Council's Civil Defence Section on 07 306 0500.
What is the maximum amount of hazardous substances that can be stored on my premises?
The regulations provide for certain exemptions, depending on the type and quantity of the substances. For more information, click here or you can contact the Civil Defence Section on 07 306 0500.
What are the necessary steps needed to establish a temporary bar manager?
If a manager is absent, the Licensee may appoint (preferably in writing) a Temporary Manager who need not hold a Manager's Certificate. However, the appointee must apply for a certificate within two working days after the appointment.
• After the application is made, the Temporary Manager shall be deemed to be the holder of a Manager's Certificate until the application is determined.
• If the appointee does not apply for a Manager's Certificate within two working days, or if the application is refused, the licensee must cease to employ the appointee as a Manager.
What is excessive noise?
Any noise under human control, which reasonably interferes with the peace, comfort and convenience of any person.
What is a noise direction notice?
A Noise Direction Notice is issued, requiring noise to be reduced to a reasonable level. This notice lasts for 72 hours. Failure to comply with the notice can result in seizure of the equipment.
How does the Noise Control Officer determine if noise is excessive?
The Noise Control Officer considers the effect the noise is having on the complainant, while taking into account the time of day, background noise and duration. No other noise measurements are required, ie, a noise level meter is not needed.
How do I apply for a Pensioner House?
The Council manages 79 pensioner units throughout in the District. To apply for a unit obtain an application form from the Customer Services Centre in Whakatane or Murupara and return the completed application form to the Property Administration Officer.
To be eligible for a pensioner unit, you must meet the following criteria:
• Fully complete the tenant application form;
• Be able to demonstrate that you can live independently; and
• Provide evidence that you have a good tenancy history (if a previous tenant) or provide appropriate written references.
Before submitting the application form ensure that :
1. you have completed all the details on the form;
2. you have signed the consent at the top of the Independent Living Form giving the Council permission to request information from the applicant’s doctor; and
3. you have supplied two written references from previous landlords OR two character references.
4. you have signed the
Statutory Declaration at the end of the application form before a Justice of the Peace, a Solicitor, Court Registrar or Postmaster.
Acceptance (or otherwise) is at the discretion of the Council. The Council may take into account whether the applicant can demonstrate a need for housing owing to:
• the stress of current living circumstances;
• substandard nature of current accommodation;
• desire to live close to family;
• inability to afford the rent of current premises;
• the degree to which, the applicant will be able to live harmoniously and in a non-disruptive manner with current tenants of surrounding units and neighbours.
Applicants will be interviewed and will be advised in writing whether their application has been accepted or not. If accepted the applicant will be placed on a waiting list until such time as they can be offered a unit.
What is Wastewater?
Wastewater is defined as the water-borne wastes from a community. Wastewater in Whakatane District is generated from two main sources: industrial wastewater resulting from industries that use water, for timber processing and dairy, to name but two; and domestic wastewater generated by normal household activities like bathing, dishwashing, clothes washing, food preparation, and toilet wastes.
Because domestic wastewater includes human body wastes and highly decomposable organic material, it is very offensive and potentially dangerous in that it may contain organisms responsible for such diseases as typhoid, dysentery, and infectious hepatitis. Industrial wastewater may also be offensive and dangerous but in addition it may also contain substances capable of causing expensive damage to sewers, pumps and the treatment plant. Furthermore, poisons in industrial wastes can affect the micro-organisms responsible for the breakdown of wastewater in the treatment process.
Fact: In general wastewater is composed almost entirely of water, in excess of 99.9%, and it is the other 0.1% which gives it its offensive and pollutant characteristics. This 0.1% consists of both inorganic and organic material.
Who do I contact about wastewater issues?
Wastewater problems on your property: A Plumber
Blocked Wastewater Mains: Council Customer Services
Wastewater Treatment Plant: Customer Services
Any further wastewater-related problems: The Council's Manager Utilities.
Why do we treat Wastewater?
Nature eventually cleans water in the water cycle. However, this takes time. A wastewater treatment plant accelerates this natural process by giving nature a helping hand.
We treat wastewater for a variety of reasons. Wastewater has an extremely large number of water-borne bacteria and pathogens. Many of these are responsible for life-threatening diseases while others are completely harmless.
Wastewater is also nutrient-rich. It contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, with nitrogen being mainly in the form of ammonia. It is these nutrients that have been a major contributing factor to the deterioration of large water bodies such as lakes, so we must lower these nutrient levels in our final effluent in order to prevent any further deterioration of the District's water quality.
How many residents does the Whakatane District Wastewater Treatment Plant serve?
The Whakatane Wastewater Treatment Plant has a connected population of approximately 14,000 people. We treat an average of 500, 000 cubic metres or 500,000,000 litres of wastewater per day. The majority of Whakatane's wastewater is generated by domestic use, with a very small percentage being from industrial use.