• Home
• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• The Journey
• The Vision
  • Vision Statement & Area Defined
  • Values and Themes
  • Draft Concept Plan
  • Visuals
  • Draft Aerial Oblique View
  • General Commercial Influence on the Town Centre
  • Relation to other Council Work & Key Questions
• Implementation
• Governance

The Journey to this Point

In December 2005, the Council held a workshop to consider options and opportunities in regard to its land ownership of harbour leasehold land. The workshop promoted the development of an overall plan for the Town Centre and examined the ability of the Council through its land interests to influence the resulting Town Vision plan. The Council approved the formation of a steering group to oversee the plan.

The steering group comprises the Mayor, three District Councillors, one member of the Whakatane Community Board, two representatives from Ngati Awa and two Council staff. Over the last eighteen months, the Steering group has overseen the development of the Town Vision plan.

The steering group engaged Boffa Miskell Limited (a consultancy specialising in urban design, landscape and planning fields) to help develop the draft Town Vision. Key strategic documents, background information, previous relevant reports, plans and maps were used as background information for the development of the Town Vision.

In April 2006, Boffa Miskell staff met with key individuals and interests within Whakatane to find out more about what the community aspirations are for the town, the factors that will influence its future, and features or values which the community feel should be preserved. Key planning principles based on urban design best practice were established to guide the development of a plan. In mid 2006, the key principles were reported to the Council and to the parties who participated in the interview meetings. An information evening was held to present and discuss the principles with CBD property owners and occupiers.

Plan options were then developed for consideration by the steering group. Consultation occurred with a range of council staff, Environment Bay of Plenty and other parties to assess the feasibility of options. Further detailed work was identified to refine the options and to ensure they were consistent with other Council strategies and projects. In addition the options were peer reviewed.

This year focused on how the options could be implemented and how practical the options were economically.