The different ways Bay of Plenty Regional Council can support and work with volunteers and the not-for-profit sector will be further investigated by staff following a report to Councillors last week.
At Council's Strategic Policy and Planning Committee, councillors agreed to look at further ways the voluntary sector may be able to help it deliver on activities that contribute to Council Outcomes, following a number of submissions on the topic to its Annual Plan and Ten Year Plan processes.
Committee Chair Raewyn Bennett said major events during the past couple of years, including the Rugby World Cup, the Rena grounding and the Christchurch earthquakes have highlighted the invaluable role of volunteers in today's society.
"Council already engages with, and supports, a number of voluntary organisations through its activities in the Ten Year Plan such as the Environmental Enhancement Fund, Coast Care Bay of Plenty and through other care groups," Mrs Bennett said.
"However we want to know where other opportunities for support might exist in the Bay of Plenty, where groups are working towards outcomes that are similar to what we're striving to achieve.