Whakatāne Waste Fees to Rise 10% as Council Confirms Annual Charges

Whakatāne District residents will face higher waste management costs from July next year, with fees at refuse and recycling centres set to rise by 10% following increased transport costs linked to changes in landfill disposal.

The increase is part of Whakatāne District Council’s Fees and Charges Schedule for 2026/27, which was confirmed this month alongside the Annual Plan.

Council says the rise is needed after it was informed that waste from the district will have to be transported further afield from 1 July following the closure of the Tirohia landfill.

Staff say the change increases costs outside of Council control.

Chief Financial Officer Paul Davidson said if the additional cost was not recovered through fees, it would need to be met through rates.

“Fees and charges help ensure that those who directly use a service contribute to the cost of providing it, rather than those costs sitting entirely with ratepayers,” he said.

“Otherwise, it becomes a pressure on general rates.”

Alongside the waste changes, Council has also confirmed adjustments to a range of other fees, including changes to aquatic centre entry charges to incorporate a small energy surcharge.

A one-off $20 annual boat ramp pass will also be extended to include residents from Kawerau and Ōpōtiki, aligning their access with Whakatāne District users who already pay the flat fee option.

Council also removed a proposed self-backfill fee for cemetery services during deliberations following public feedback.

Mayor Nándor Tánczos said the decisions reflected the need to balance affordability with ongoing service costs.

“There were a range of perspectives around the table, particularly on boat ramp fees,” he said.

The Council received 57 submissions during consultation on the draft fees and charges, which were considered in hearings earlier this month before final decisions were made.

Council said the updated schedule will take effect from 1 July 2026.

The full Fees and Charges Schedule will be published on the Council’s website in the coming weeks.