Around the motu: Diane McCarthy in Whakatane

The Whakatane District Council is coming under fire from some quarters for high levels of spending on big projects, with consultation underway on an average 17 percent rates rise. Diane also talks about the council making changes to the district plan to make building tiny homes easier. And the Bay of Plenty Harbourmaster's decision recently to stop the safety advisory service on the Whakatane River bar has resulted in a public outcry from some members of the boating community. Eastern Bay of Plenty local democracy reporter, Diane McCarthy is based at the Whakatane Beacon.