Latest fromWestern Bay of Plenty District Council
![Minister's decision on housing intensification rules 'rational and reasonable'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Minister's decision on housing intensification rules 'rational and reasonable'
Greater housing density will go ahead in the high-growth areas of Ōmokoroa and Te Puke.
![Bay of Plenty housing: Bishop rejects panel's recommendations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Bay of Plenty housing: Bishop rejects panel's recommendations
The minister's decision opens the door to housing growth in the area.
![Councils in line for big boost if GST returned on rates](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Councils in line for big boost if GST returned on rates
Councils could be in line for a billion-dollar boost each year should government agree.
![Council faces big byelection bills after three reps quit, one dies](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Council faces big byelection bills after three reps quit, one dies
Costs to fill the empty seats could hit up to $83,600.
![Paws-itively amazing career in animal services](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Paws-itively amazing career in animal services
Betty Hall was once told by a teacher she would never get a job after finishing school.
![Western Bay Council, Kāinga Ora slammed for lack of consultation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Western Bay Council, Kāinga Ora slammed for lack of consultation
Council says no parties adversely affected by the development.
![Lower speed limits for Western Bay up to two years away](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Lower speed limits for Western Bay up to two years away
The new speed management plan was adopted by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
![New planning rules allowing more housing for Te Puke signed off](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
New planning rules allowing more housing for Te Puke signed off
Density standards include allowing three homes on a site and houses up to 11m high.
![Pot plants in potholes: 'Creative' ploy to get road fixed successful](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Pot plants in potholes: 'Creative' ploy to get road fixed successful
It comes after roundabout grass was baled by a rogue farmer in the same community.
!['Great concern': Mayor's worry for people using congested SH2 as new route delayed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Great concern': Mayor's worry for people using congested SH2 as new route delayed
'You do it one day and it takes one hour and the next day it takes two hours, it's hard.'
!['Fobbed off': Man injured on 'horrible' track calls for safety changes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Fobbed off': Man injured on 'horrible' track calls for safety changes
Peter Rawstron says the Waiere Stream is popular but dangerous.
![Mouse poo, dripping seafood juice and undercooked kai - food safety officers' worst NZ finds](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Mouse poo, dripping seafood juice and undercooked kai - food safety officers' worst NZ finds
Local councils have shared how they go about ensuring food hygiene.
![Western Bay among busiest areas in NZ for ambulance call-outs](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Western Bay among busiest areas in NZ for ambulance call-outs
Weather events and Covid-19 are considered to be among reasons why.
![Border collie’s wounds heal after ‘devastating’ dog attack](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Border collie’s wounds heal after ‘devastating’ dog attack
Paul Gibbs' dog Molly sustained "horrific injuries".
![Māori wards, flooding and fluoridation: Big year for Local Democracy Reporting](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Māori wards, flooding and fluoridation: Big year for Local Democracy Reporting
Reporter Alisha Evans looks at the highs and lows for the district in 2023.
!['Outrageous' contamination: How much recycling ends up in landfill](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Outrageous' contamination: How much recycling ends up in landfill
Once, an entire recycling truck’s contents weighing 4.38t were sent to landfill.
![Party like the public service: What councils did for Christmas](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Party like the public service: What councils did for Christmas
Some opted for a Kiwi classic.
![Dog owner bitten by man after elderly border collie mauled](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Dog owner bitten by man after elderly border collie mauled
Molly has had two surgeries and may need more after her throat was 'ripped open'.
![Number 279 in the queue: Rates penalty notice has council's phone lines running hot](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Number 279 in the queue: Rates penalty notice has council's phone lines running hot
Council says collecting its own rates has been mostly positive - despite some criticism.
![Public can be ‘brutal’: Councillors defend use of closed-door workshops](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Public can be ‘brutal’: Councillors defend use of closed-door workshops
The ombudsman’s call to open council workshops is a ‘hard nut to crack’.
!['We would have been annihilated': Pensioner's flooded flat to be demolished](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'We would have been annihilated': Pensioner's flooded flat to be demolished
Brian Thorne is upset to be losing his home by the sea.