Keep up to date with current and upcoming road closures, roadworks, road reserve works, and emergency road status information in the Whakatāne District.
News
Take the lead. It’s dog rego time
Dog registration fees for the Whakatāne District are now active for the 2024/25 year, with discounts for those who pay their fees before 1 August.
Council adopts community-led climate pathway
At last week's Ordinary Council meeting, Councillors adopted 'Our Climate Pathway' — Whakatāne District’s Climate Change Strategy 2024-27 along with the accompanying Climate Change Action Plan.
This strategy, developed through a community-led process, marks a significant move towards collective, community-wide action on climate change.
Council acquires property at 144 The Strand
In a move towards revitalising the Central Business District (CBD), the Council has announced the purchase of the property at 144 The Strand (old Credit Union). This site has been identified as a strategic location within the CBD, playing a crucial role in the town's future regeneration efforts.
Long Term Plan 2024-34 adoption delayed
Whakatāne District Council has announced the adoption of its 2024-34 Long Term Plan has been delayed and will not be an item on the agenda at the upcoming 27 June Ordinary Council meeting.
Whakatāne District Council wins big at Taituarā Awards
Whakatāne District Council is celebrating a double win at the Taituarā Excellence Awards.
For the second year in a row, the Council has been recognised in the Organisation and People Development category of the Taituarā Excellence Awards for its innovative Reimagining Work programme.
This category highlights projects focusing on organisational redesign, human resource management, leadership development, or other means of building staff and organisational capability.
Home stretch for Peace Street - expect road closures from next week
Home stretch for Peace Street - expect road closures from next weekWhakatāne District Council is advising caution for motorists travelling through central Whakatāne from next week, as changes to road layouts are rolled out around the Peace Street neighbourhood.
Reorua ki Whakatāne Fund Round Two Open
The second round of the Reorua ki Whakatāne fund, which is aimed at promoting the use of the Māori language in the township, has opened last week (Monday, May 27, 2024).
Temporary Mimiha Stream Bridge now open
A new temporary bridge over the Mimiha Stream on the road to Ruatāhuna and Lake Waikaremoana is now open.
Draft Road Naming and Addressing Policy approved for consultation
In a move to ensure road names reflect local history, culture, and identity, Whakatāne District Council Elected Members have approved the draft Road Naming and Addressing Policy to go out for public consultation.
The current policy was last reviewed in 2014. The current policy review aims to provide a clear, inclusive process for naming and renaming roads, better aligning with the Council's vision, strategic priorities and strategies.
The Council encourages public feedback on several key proposed changes, including:
New advertising screens lighting up Locky Docks
In partnership with Trust Horizon, Whakatāne District Council is excited to announce the addition of advertising screens to some of the district’s Locky Dock stations.
Three Waters consents replacement top priority for Council
Last week (30 May), Whakatāne District Council's Infrastructure and Planning Committee approved the Three Waters Consent Replacement Strategy, which outlines the Council’s approach to renewing resource consents for drinking water and wastewater.
The Council is already underway with a plan for stormwater management and has lodged a comprehensive consent that will cover stormwater discharges in the Whakatāne township catchment. Similar consents for other schemes will start gradually over the next five to 10 years.
Council to seek input on tiny homes to address housing shortage
In a move to help tackle the growing housing shortage, the Council is exploring changes to the rules for tiny homes and other small secondary dwellings under the Whakatāne District Plan.
This initiative aims to improve access to housing while minimising the impact on natural and physical resources, including infrastructure.
At the Environmental, Economic, and Resource Committee meeting last Friday (31 May), Elected Members approved a recommendation to engage with key stakeholders on the current issues surrounding tiny homes.
Council withdraws plan change on bird scaring devices
Whakatāne District Council has decided to withdraw a proposed plan change that would’ve introduced new rules for the use of audible bird scaring devices, such as gas guns, in the district.
The decision follows a pre-hearing mediation process, where Council staff, the kiwifruit industry and affected residents agreed to work together to find alternative solutions to reduce the noise impacts of bird scaring on the community.
Internationally acclaimed artist joins light festival line up
Trust Horizon Light Up Whakatāne returns this winter, bringing some extra sparkle with internationally acclaimed local artist Sarah Hudson (Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Pūkeko) creating a light installation.
Ms Hudson is part of Mataaho Collective, a group of four Māori female artists who recently won one of the world's most sought-after prizes in the art world - the Golden Lion for their immersive installation Takapau at the Venice Biennale International Exhibition.
Next step for Long Term Plan
Whakatāne District Council Elected Members approved the draft Long Term Plan for audit at the Environment, Energy and Resilience Committee meeting held last Friday, 31 May 2024.
Fund opens for recreational water projects and activities
Local not-for-profit organisations, charitable trusts, and individuals involved with projects or activities directly related to recreational water use are invited to apply for funding from Whakatāne District Council.
Council prepares submission to Māori Wards Bill
Whakatāne District Council is preparing a submission on the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill, in anticipation that public submissions will be called for on the Bill.
Voting begins for Galatea-Waiōhau residents
Residents in the Galatea-Waiōhau subdivision can expect to receive new voting papers in the post for the Murupara Community Board by-election.
Awatapu Off-road Trail on hold for now
Funding restrictions and tight timeframes have seen the wheels come loose on an off-road trail in Awatapu.
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