To keep the Whakatāne River bar passable for big boats, Whakatāne District Council will start dredging next week.

Council Assets and Operations Ports and Airport Nikorima Broughton said during storms and times of high river levels, silt and sand gets washed down the river and deposited on the bar.

“We’ll be dredging during the outgoing tide, so the sand we free will flow out to sea and then be deposited along the coast,” he said.

“Our work will not impact on boats crossing the bar. We will also be careful not to negatively impact our sea life.”

Dredging the bar is important as it removes built-up sediments and debris from the bottom of the river and ensures the safety of the boats and their crews who use it.