Whakatāne District Council reports strong interest in two of its current projects – the Whakatāne Riverfront Enhancement project and its future planning for Awakeri.

Community engagement on the riverfront enhancement project closed at the end of March with more than 260 pieces of feedback submitted in person, online or through hardcopy submissions.

General manager strategy and growth Leny Woolsey said all feedback was being collated ahead of a council workshop today.

“The workshop will give councillors the opportunity to digest community feedback alongside an amended baseline design before deciding which concept design(s) will move forward to the next stage,” she said.

The next stage includes progressing detailed design and preparing consent applications, in advance of any physical works.

The designs range from a baseline option with a total estimated cost of $7.5 million.

Half of this cost is funded through central government investment (Provincial Growth Fund via Kānoa/MBIE), with the remaining half funded through Council’s 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan.

In addition to the baseline design, there are optional enhancements that could be added using the remaining $2.1 million allocated in the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan budget.

Alternatively, the council may choose to release this remaining funding back to the budget.

Another option could see the council return the $3.75 million of central government funding to follow an even further reduced enhancement option.

A decision on which concept design(s) will proceed will be made by councillors at a meeting on April 16.

Meanwhile, final nominations have closed for the Awakeri Community Reference Group, with 33 people confirmed to take part.

The interest has impressed policy, planning and consents manager Nicholas Woodley.

“We were hoping for around 20 to 25 nominations, so it’s been great to see such a strong response and to be able to include everyone who was keen to be involved.”

While the reference group plays an important role, the council emphasises there will be further opportunities for the wider Awakeri community to stay informed and provide feedback during the process.

Mr Woodley said the work was about developing a framework at this stage, nothing more.

“We’re not getting ready to turn the first sod. While we’ve been talking with some property owners and carrying out technical work such as soil testing, no decisions have been made.

“We’re not buying land, and nothing has been decided about what goes where. This work is about understanding what is possible,” he said.

The Community Reference Group will meet for three workshops across April, May and June.

The workshops will focus on themes including recreation and civic services, growth and new homes, transport and movement, water and the environment, and what makes Awakeri a great place to live.