Community engagement on the Whakatāne Riverfront Enhancement Project has closed, with Whakatāne District Council receiving more than 260 pieces of individual feedback.
The Council says it received strong interest in the project, with feedback submitted in person, online, and through hard copy submissions. Pre engagement feedback from key stakeholders has also been included.
All feedback was collated ahead of a Council workshop being held 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,” said General Manager Strategy and Growth, Dr Leny Woolsey.
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, the Council says there are optional enhancements that could be added using the remaining $2.1 million allocated in the 2024–2034 Long Term Plan budget. Alternatively, Council may choose to release this remaining funding back to Council 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 Council Meeting on 16 April.
