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Maraenui between Te Kaha and Ōpōtiki township on State Highway 35 on the day of the tsunami last month.
Photo: Supplied / Louis Rapihana
Whakatāne district councillor and Matata Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Gavin Dennis said more than 400 people evacuated to the small rural community of Awakaponga during the tsunami threat, so it was imperative their voices be included in any review of the district s response.
Dennis raised his concerns at Whakatāne District Council s strategy and policy committee held last week.
He said he had heard a meeting had been held between national emergency management and local emergency management staff - although only those from Whakatāne were invited.
Awatarariki residents say it is not appropriate for the council to redesign their neighbourhood while they are still living there.
Residents refusing to sell until their case has been heard by the Environment Court say the council should wait until that outcome is heard.
Photo: RNZ / Brad White
Whakatāne District Council is in the process of establishing a community group to develop a greenspace design for properties acquired by the council through its managed retreat from the area.
However, residents refusing to sell until their case has been heard by the Environment Court say the council should hold off and wait until that outcome is heard.
A week after commissioners decided the fate of Awatarariki residents, Whakatāne District Council has reflected on what it has learned from the saga.
In May 2005 a torrential downpour washed boulders, logs and other debris down the flooded Awatarariki Stream, destroying 27 homes.
Photo: GNS
Councillors received a report on the decision at an extraordinary council meeting held last Thursday - the first official council meeting to be conducted via Zoom.
Commissioners confirmed the council s position on the danger of future debris flows to residents living on the Awatarariki fanhead at Matatā, and agreed with the appropriateness of the plan changes intended to extinguish resident s existing use rights.