Bay of Plenty Regional Council has approved its community report card for the 2023 and 2024 financial year.

The report card reflects a year of opportunity and challenge for the council Chair Doug Leeder said

Key initiatives included essential flood protection infrastructure, increased Baybus network patronage, a $5.4 million operating surplus, and a $45 million dividend from Quayside Holdings Limited, which reduced household rates by an average of $380.

“During the year, as part of the $22.1 million spent on flood protection, we completed six projects worth $14.2 million, upgrading floodwalls and stopbanks,” Leeder said.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council oversees and maintains nearly $440 million worth of flood protection infrastructure, including stopbanks, floodwalls, floodgates, and pump stations.

“While this work is not the ultimate fix to the impacts of climate change, it does provide surety to communities across the region, such as Whakatāne and Edgecumbe.”

The Regional Council is helping to ensure property owners and businesses, particularly the crucial primary sector, are protected from significant flooding events, Leeder said.

Bus patronage increased 23% from the previous year, particularly in the Western Bay of Plenty subregion, which includes Tauranga City.

“Through a combination of awareness raising, service improvements and timetable changes to meet demand, there were 3.37 million bus passenger trips across the network during the year,” Leeder said.

“While this is a strong result, we’ll continue to look at opportunities to grow demand and broaden our service offering, for example, assessing our Baybus OnDemand trial.”

“This work is all part of an ongoing focus that recognises the region-wide benefits of public transport, including reduced traffic congestion for all road users, lower carbon emissions and improved air quality.”

Upgrades were completed at the 182ha Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park, enhancing the visitor experience.

Improvements include a new car park with over 80 additional spaces, a new entryway, seating, and a restroom block—all designed to better accommodate the park’s more than 100,000 visitors annually.

“In a world where open spaces increasingly come under pressure from encroaching development, the park’s conservation for its heritage, recreational and ecological values is an important part of a vibrant region,” Leeder said.

The Regional Council supports environmental volunteering by granting over $1.2 million to more than 80 groups, including Coast Care, through its environmental enhancement, volunteer initiatives, and school sustainability funds.

“The work of volunteers is at the heart of our communities, and these funds play a key role in supporting this work,” Leeder said.

“It is fundamental to ensuring the Bay of Plenty remains one of the best places in New Zealand to live, work and play.”