A karakia and blessing was held earlier this week before work began on a major flood mitigation project in Kawerau. Tūwharetoa Kaumatua and Reverend Paora Hunia carried out the blessing and karakia acknowledging the sacred Pūtauaki Maunga, the connection of Iwi to the whenua, the waterway and wished the work […]
Ōpōtiki District Council seeks way forward on housing squeeze
Ōpōtiki District Council is looking for a way forward to ease the pressures caused by a lack of housing in the Ōpōtiki town, but agrees there are only a few options at its disposal. Council’s Planning and Regulatory Group Manager, Gerard McCormack, said that demand had thoroughly outstripped supply in […]
Two-wheel ‘hoons’ banned from beaches
At the Ōpōtiki District Council meeting on 25 August, Council considered the public feedback on the Consolidated Bylaw and Dog Control Policy, made several amendments in light of that feedback and adopted the consolidated bylaws. One topic that had been widely discussed in the community and between councillors was the […]
End of the line for equine repeat offenders
Ōpōtiki District Council’s Planning and Regulatory Group Manager, Gerard McCormack has said enough is enough and that if several identified horses are caught in the township again, there would be no option left but to remove the horses permanently or have them put down. Three horses have been impounded repeatedly […]
Ōpōtiki Mayor reminds community that recovery will be ‘a marathon not a sprint’
Ōpōtiki District Council adopted its information document on the 2020-21 Annual Plan Our plan in action for public feedback. This document shows what rates are expected to be and explains how Council plans to progress major projects for the 2020-21 year. Ōpōtiki Mayor Lyn Riesterer said that like councils around the country, it was an unusual […]
Doing recovery well a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ for Bay of Plenty region
A collaborative and unified regional development plan will be critical to ensure a strong and sustainable recovery from COVID-19. That was the clear message delivered to Bay of Plenty Regional Council today alongside a paper outlining the Council’s immediate COVID-19 response. The paper summarised projects provided to the Central Government […]
Do your part to prevent street flooding
As autumn descends, Whakatāne residents are urged to rake up leaves on their properties, and clear leaves and debris from nearby stormwater grates to avoid possible damage from surface flooding. Council Manager Three Waters Infrastructure Tomasz Krawczyk says gutters are regularly swept to remove leaves and litter, but Council teams […]
Nominations open for outdoor access champions
The Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa is calling for nominations of people and groups who champion public access to the outdoors. Nominations are open until 13 December 2019. The Outdoor Access Champion Awards have been running since 2013. They recognise individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to […]