At today’s (12th October) Living Together Committee meeting, General Manager Strategy & Transformation, Steven Perdia, presented the latest Better Off Funding programme update on the progress of each of the seven projects.
The latest update indicates that most projects are proceeding as planned, with some minor delays due to factors outside of the Council's control.
"We are pleased to see that the Better Off Funding projects are progressing well, and we are confident that any delays can be managed," says Mr Perdia.
Council was successful in receiving the first tranche ($5.66 million) from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Better Off Funding package in December 2022, for projects designed to boost local amenity and outcomes for residents.
Progress updates for each of the seven projects are as follows:
CCTV Upgrade and Expansion ($1M)
This project involves the delivery and installation of 33 new safety cameras, also known as CCTV, across the Whakatāne District, alongside the upgrade of 11 existing cameras and a three-year contract for ongoing monitoring.
During the first phase of the project, collaboration was conducted with NZ Police to identify high-risk areas along with input from key community members from across the Whakatāne District.
The new cameras, and those being upgraded, are relatively evenly spread across the four community board areas.
Procurement plans for the new cameras have been completed, including a three-year monitoring contract. Tenders closed on 14 September, and installation will be rolled out from October to December 2023.
Natural Hazard Resilience ($1.36M)
This initiative aims to enhance Civil Defence preparedness for the Whakatāne District and build greater community resilience in the event of natural disasters.
To date, this project has seen the completion of seismic strengthening and cosmetic upgrades of the Waimana-Nukuhou North Memorial Hall. Consent and design work are underway for the strengthening of Te Teko War Memorial Hall. Work has begun on establishing an alternative Emergency Operations Centre on higher ground, which is progressing well.
There is also ongoing engagement with Iwi and with local community stakeholders, such as hall committees, to develop community hubs across the district and to provide emergency supplies to support these hubs to successfully operate following a natural hazard emergency or other event.
Hono Hapori – Community Outreach Vehicle Service ($500K)
The Hono Hapori – Community Outreach Vehicle Service aims to provide better accessibility to Council services and resources in remote communities. This includes the purchase and fit out of two fit-for-purpose vehicles designed to service the Whakatāne District.
Currently, the project team is finalising its analysis of vehicle options to ensure the best fit-for-purpose vehicles are purchased. A final decision on the vehicles is expected in the coming weeks, with a vehicle fit-out to be developed in parallel and rolled out in January 2024, as planned.
Edgecumbe to Thornton Shared Pathway ($900K)
This project covers the development of a shared pathway from Edgecumbe to Thornton, designed to create a better link between these two outlying communities. This shared pathway is part of the broader vision of walking and cycling loops intended for the Whakatāne District.
Concept designs for the shared pathway, expected to utilise road frontage and stopbanks, have been received. It is expected construction on the ‘first phase’ from the Squash Club on College Road to KartSport will begin shortly. The finalised route of the remaining pathway through to Edgecumbe is still to be confirmed.
Collective Iwi Policy Hub ($1M)
This project aims to enable Iwi to participate and engage in a significant suite of strategy, policy and legislative proposals that affect the Whakatāne District. Central and Local Governments comparatively are well-funded and resourced to complete this work, however, Council recognises that Te Tiriti requires a partnership approach to these work programmes and has been exploring and engaging how it can resource Iwi in an equitable way.
There have been some delays due to the market's inability to meet the resourcing requirements. However, negotiations are underway, and a preferred candidate for the Hub Manager role has been identified with the hope of filling the position by November 2023.
Eastern Bay of Plenty Spatial Plan ($200K)
The project will accelerate the development of a spatial plan for the Eastern Bay. This will help determine how we will manage growth and the infrastructure needed to support it, how we will move around, how we will care for the environment and how we will support our economy. It is a partnership project with four Councils, ten Iwi partners and Central Government representatives working together.
Recently, Council introduced the project to sector leaders from industry, social services and business and invited them to become friends of the project, providing their insights, information and plans for the project.
Southern District Towns Regeneration ($700K)
The project supports the strategic visions of Ngāti Manawa and Ngāti Whare, which aims to encourage the revitalisation of Murupara and Minginui. This includes developing masterplans aligned with the aspirations of these Iwi and communities.
For Murupara, a masterplan will seek to support Ngāti Manawa's Manawa Oho project, aimed at providing trade training and employment initiatives, enhancing business opportunities through fostering recreation, tourism and community development opportunities, and to support housing. This work will also be supported by the Murupara Community Board’s community plan that aligns with local community aspirations.
Meetings in Minginui Village have introduced the Better Off Funding opportunity to Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whare and Minginui Village Incorporated Society, focussed on housing and infrastructure to support the success of the Minginui Nursery.
The project's commitment to incorporating Iwi aspirations has led to extended timelines, prompting a proposed adjustment to project dates. The updated completion for this project is now expected to be April 2025