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News
Whakatāne District Council approves Plan Change 5 to safeguard accessible parking
Whakatāne District Council has today approved Plan Change 5: Accessible Parking, following extensive community consultation.
Council adopts new Procurement Policy to boost transparency, value and local outcomes
A revised Procurement Policy has been adopted by Whakatāne District Council to bring its approach in line with modern best practices, support local outcomes, and strengthen financial and risk management.
The revised policy was approved at today's Council meeting (8 May, 2025) and replaces the previous version, which was last updated in 2012.
Procurement and Risk Manager Ingrid McNiven said the review of the policy was timely and essential.
Making room to grow: Plan Change 8 gets the green light
A key plan change to unlock new housing in Whakatāne has been approved, paving the way for around 175 new homes, including papakāinga and medium-density options.
Whakatāne District Council has confirmed that Plan Change 8, which rezones around 15 hectares of land near Huna Road, will be fully operative by the end of the month.
This means the change will be officially part of the District Plan – there are no more appeals or legal steps to work through.
Council to consider Air Chathams' financial support request on 8 May 2025
Whakatāne District Council will consider a formal request for financial support from Air Chathams at its meeting on Thursday, 8 May 2025.
Air Chathams has asked Council to consider a proposal which includes:
Think before you toss. Never bin your batteries.
Batteries might be small, but they can cause big problems if disposed of incorrectly.
Feedback sought on the future of local water services
Whakatāne District Council is inviting residents to have their say on a proposal that will shape how essential water services, including drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater, are delivered in the future.
Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre closing for maintenance and upgrades
The Whakatāne Aquatic and Fitness Centre's pools will close to the public next month for a three-week period to allow for annual maintenance and improvements.
The indoor pools will close entirely from Thursday, 15 May and re-open on Friday, 6 June, 2025.
While the fitness centre will remain open, the outdoor pool will have limited access to pre-arranged groups and clubs only.
During this time contractors will install new epoxy flooring, recondition the pool pumps, replace the air handling unit, and install energy-efficient pool covers for the outdoor pool.
Our Places – Eastern Bay Spatial Plan nearing completion as implementation set to begin
The Our Places – Eastern Bay Spatial Plan is nearing completion, marking a significant milestone for growth and development planning across the Eastern Bay.
Tropical Cyclone Tam - Weather Warning
Tropical Cyclone Tam has officially arrived, bringing significant wind and rainfall to our region.
Significant progress in finding a long-term wastewater solution for Matatā
Finding a sustainable wastewater solution for Matatā has been a major focus for Whakatāne District Council over the past three years, with work ongoing to select a preferred option, bringing the community closer to a long-term solution.
A report on the project’s progress was presented to the Infrastructure and Planning Committee today (10 April) outlining the work completed to date and the next steps in the process.
Council services availability - ANZAC Day 2025
Our main offices will be closed on Friday, 25 April and most council services will either have reduced opening hours or be closed entirely in observance of ANZAC Day.
Applications open for funding opportunities
Applications for the Whakatāne District Council’s Creative Communities Scheme and Rural Travel Fund opened this week, giving local groups and individuals the opportunity to bring their creative projects to life and support youth participation in sports across the district.
Council services availability - Easter weekend 2025
Our main offices will be closed Easter Weekend. Most Council services will either have reduced opening hours or be closed entirely.
Water restrictions lifted for Whakatāne and Ōhope
Whakatāne District Council has today lifted water restrictions for Ōhope and Whakatāne, following a significant improvement in river conditions that had previously impacted the water supply.
Heavy Rain Warning - 4 April
The heavy rain and wind is set to continue until around 6pm this evening. We'll keep you updated throughout the day with everything you need to know.
Drive with care as you move about today and be in touch if there's something our crews need to sort on 07 306 0500, non-urgent jobs can be logged via our Fix It Portal.
Events set to give the local economy a boost
The Whakatāne District is in for an action-packed couple of weekends, with more than 30 events lined up, offering something for everyone.
Early April is shaping up to be one of the busiest event periods the district has seen in years. This weekend and next, coinciding with the start of the school holidays, the Whakatāne District will host sporting events, family-friendly festivals, fishing tournaments, food experiences, and more.
Parking technology to be trialled in Whakatāne
Whakatāne District Council will soon launch a trial of an electronic parking management system to improve parking warden safety.
The technology aims to protect parking staff from confrontational situations while also improving parking efficiency for residents and visitors.
Starting 7 April, a parking enforcement vehicle, equipped with license plate recognition technology, will be trialled for a six-week period.
Support signalled for collaborative approach to future water services delivery
The Whakatāne District Council has signalled its willingness to collaborate with other councils through a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) for the future delivery of water, wastewater and stormwater services.
At a public briefing on 26 March, the Mayor and elected members reviewed two potential options: an internal business unit, or a multi-council CCO. While no formal decision was made, most elected members indicated their support for the collaborative CCO model as the most effective and sustainable solution for the district’s water services.
Whakatāne District Council urgently calls for water conservation
Whakatāne District Council has today implemented water restrictions due to critically low flows in the Whakatāne River.
What's up with water? Introducing 'Wai - It Matters'
Whakatāne District Council is lifting the lid on the full journey of water - from source to tap and back again. 'Wai - It Matters' is an education campaign designed to help the community better understand the essential work required to deliver clean drinking water, manage wastewater, and future-proof stormwater systems.
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