​Key outcomes from Ordinary Council meeting 30 April 2024

You can watch the recording of the meeting on Council’s YouTube channel.

Please note that these notes are informal notes on the key outcomes from today’s meeting. The formal minutes and official record will be endorsed at the next council meeting.

Minutes and Committees – Council endorsed the minutes of several meetings and committees (including a couple of minor changes to the record). These included the March ODC meeting, the Coast Community Board, the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Joint Committee, and the Ohiwa Harbour Implementation Forum.

Papers also included the regular reports from the CEO and Mayor.

During the public excluded section of the meeting, councillors reviewed and voted to release workshop meeting notes to the public. These are available on the website.

Public submissions – there were two speakers in the public forum on the topic of quad bike use in the Drifts and Dunes subdivisions at Waiotahe beach.

The first speaker presented data on the growth in the number of quad bikes in the area in previous years (and projected continued growth). He reiterated his concern from the February meeting that this issue was against the rules and would continue to grow with the population in the subdivisions.
The second speaker presented a letter on behalf of 300 residents and visitors to the Drifts / Dunes subdivisions asking council to find a way forward that allows for quad bikes to access the beach. She noted the council paper in February focused on the rules, but suggested this approach doesn’t take into account the importance of quad bikes to the way of life for many residents.

The Mayor thanked them both for bringing their views to the council table. He noted that we will also look to work with the partner organisations (iwi, DOC, regional council) to find a way forward.

Fees and charges – Council has recently completed its annual review of fees and charges so that they cover current costs and reflect the desire for a greater share of costs to be covered by users rather than rates (as outlined in the council’s revenue and finance policy).

This has meant some areas are likely to see significant changes in fees. This includes an average 26% increase for fees/charges for building, resource consents and food control plans. 25% increase in water meter charges to off-set impacts on the general rate and come into alignment with limits set in the revenue and finance policy.

With the introduction of the weighbridge at Ōpōtiki RRC, some changes to the charging structure have been proposed. Significantly, the review suggests no longer charging for recycling at the Ōpōtiki RRC with the costs recovered through the other waste streams, (now measured by weight rather than volume). Under the proposed changes, both Te Kaha and Waihau Bay would remain on the existing charging schedule, with minor refinements to the fee structure for clarity.

You can read more about these proposed changes and provide your feedback on the council’s Connect | Hono Mai site from 2 May.

Freedom Camping Bylaw – Council has reviewed its Freedom Camping Bylaw to align with the freedom camping strategy adopted late last year. This draft bylaw aims to balance environmental impact, public safety, and community wellbeing; allowing for freedom camping in selected areas while protecting our natural spaces and places.

The draft bylaw would mean that freedom camping is only allowed in four specific areas of the district, clearly marked on maps: Te Ahiaua Reserve (Pipi Beds), Hikuwai Reserve, Hoani Waititi Reserve in Omaio, and Te Kaha Reserve in Maraetai Bay.

The draft bylaw also clearly marks the parts of these four areas where freedom camping is expressly PROHIBITED. This is to prevent ‘overflow’ camping in these locations.

There is also a list of rules for those camping – 3-night maximum, no washing of dishes clothes or clothes, waste disposal, no fires etc.

You can read more about the draft bylaw and provide your feedback on the council’s Connect | Hono Mai site in the coming days.

Ōpōtiki wastewater rising main diversion – the township’s rising main is under threat from gradual river erosion and needs to be diverted away from the river edge. Council voted to divert the rising main to be at least 17m (up to 29m) from the river’s edge. At the current erosion rates, this distance will give council 2-4 years to continue to develop longer-term solutions currently being considered through the Long Term Plan process and also implement measures with regional council to reduce the rate of erosion. This is an unbudgeted expenditure up to $250,000.

LGNZ Conference - The Local Government New Zealand Conference 2024 is being held in Wellington in August this year. The Conference is the principal opportunity each year for councillors to learn from other local authorities, keep up to date with changes in the local government sector and connect with other elected members and central government representatives from around the country.

Council’s practice has been for attendance to be determined alphabetically from the start of each triennium. This year the conference will be attended by His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Tom Brooks and Councillor Maxie Kemara and the CEO.