Finalists selected Rubbish collections One injured in crash Feedback wanted Smelly problem Speech competition

Carpark changes

Improvements will be made to the Baywave carpark in the next two weeks and the carpark layout will be changed. People are being urged to be mindful, slow down and watch out for pedestrians.

Seven Bay of Plenty artists have been selected as finalists in the inaugural Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award. They are Michelle Black, Matangireia Yatesfrancis, Michelle Estall, Terry Fergusson, Iata Peautolu, Te Haunui Tuna, and Hikurangi Tikitiki-o-rangi Mangu. They join a shortlist of 50 finalists that will tour nationally. Winners will be announced on May 27.

Collection day changes will apply to parts of the Western Bay when council’s new kerbside rubbish and recycling service begins on July 1. Katikati and Aongatete moves from Friday to Tuesday and Maketu¯, Paengaroa, Pongakawa and Pukehina from Tuesday to Friday. The rest of the district’s collection days remain mostly the same with some minor changes.

One person was moderately injured in a crash between a truck and a trailer in the eastern Bay of Plenty on Wednesday. Police were called to reports of a crash on Galatea Rd, Waiohau, at 4.30pm.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is seeking community feedback about a 14.2km median barrier option for State Highway 2 between Tetley and Esdaile roads, south of Katikati. Between 2009 and 2018, 25 people lost their lives and 66 were seriously injured along this stretch of rural highway. The deadline for feedback is May 21 and can be sent to bopprojects@nzta.govt.nz.

Business identified as contributors to odour discharges in the Mount Maunganui, Pa¯pa¯moa and Truman Lane area have collectively agreed to work to improve the situation. Bay of Plenty Regional Council met with most of the concerned businesses this week in response to calls to the pollution hotline. Data was provided to show how the odours could be identified and set expectations for odour management. The council planned to meet with the other businesses in the area in the near future.

Entries are now open for the 74th Annual Rotorua Speech and Drama Competition. The Rotorua Speech and Drama Competition is where many children aged 5-18 years of age from throughout the Bay of Plenty and the wider area compete. Entries close June 11. To enter, go to the Rotorua Competition Society website.