A new roundabout taking shape at the SH2 and SH33 intersection near Paengaroa should reduce crash risks to drivers, according to NZTA. This intersection was confirmed as one of the most dangerous intersections in the Bay of Plenty earlier in 2013.

Most crashes at this intersection have been caused by drivers failing to stop and check that the intersection is clear. The Paengaroa roundabout has been designed to reduce this risk when it opens next year.

The establishment of an air training satellite base at Whakatāne Airport will not proceed in the foreseeable future.

CTC Aviation Training (NZ) Limited, a Hamilton-based pilot training school, and the Whakatāne District Council have undertaken a joint study into the feasibility of establishing a satellite training facility at the town’s airport. While the outcomes of that process were largely positive, CTC’s UK-based Board of Directors has decided not to proceed with the development at this stage.

In preparation for the centenary of World War I, the Whakatāne District Museum has started a NZ Lottery Grants Board-funded project to digitise the museum and community photographic and archival collections relating to “The Great War”.

The first of five opportunities for members of the public to have their material digitised – photographed and stored on DVD or memory stick - will be held at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi – The Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre on Friday, 30 August and Saturday, 31 August 2013.

GNS volcanologists have analysed the activity at White Island following the 20 August eruption and have lowered the Volcanic Alert Level.

"The level of volcanic activity at White Island has decreased substantially since yesterday’s eruption," GNS reports. "Steam and gas continue to be emitted from the active crater, in a similar fashion to that prior to the eruption."

Weather permitting, GNS plans to fly around White Island on Friday to take airborne measurements of volcanic gas emissions.

A large tree has fallen on the Makapua Stream Bridge on SH38 north of Wairoa, resulting in a weeklong road closure. Although a detour is available, travel to and from Wairoa will still be affected by this road closure.

A detour is available via Waihi and Ruapapa roads, but this adds an extra hour to travel time to/from Wairoa. The road is unsealed and includes a bridge limited to 36 tonnes load.

NZTA intends to post signs at the Rotorua end of SH38 and in Murupara to inform drivers of the road closure and detour.

Whakatāne District Council Electoral Official Janie Storey is reminding aspiring local election candidates that they only have until midday on Friday, 16 August 2013 to get their nominations in.

Although a number of nomination packs are circulating with interested people, the Council has only received a handful of nominations for the upcoming local elections, including:

With more than 1600 hours of sunshine as of 31 July, Whakatāne is well in the lead in 2013's sunshine race.

Data gathered from NIWA's Climate Database shows that Whakatāne has had 1630 hours of sunshine so far this year. A very sunny July lengthened our lead over New Plymouth by an additional 50 hours; New Plymouth has now had 98 fewer sunshine hours than Whakatāne this year. Other sunny contenders across New Zealand are even farther behind.

The sunshine hour totals through 31 July 2013 are:

Close to a quarter of the people in the Whakatāne District whose properties have been assessed as subject to some degree of landslide hazard have responded with their preference for consultation on possible risk management methods.

Whakatāne District Council and Ecocast Limited are offering the opportunity for interested community members to take part in a site visit to Ecocast’s Kawerau-based composting facility, which currently processes the Whakatāne District’s greenwaste.

The site visit, which will take place from 9 am to 12 pm on Friday, 2 August 2013, is part of the Council’s pre-consultation with the community with regard to its proposal to establish a new greenwaste processing facility at Keepa Road. If that proposal does proceed, it would involve a full resource consent and consultation process.