Social media is proving an effective method for Eastern Bay of Plenty rate payers to contact their council says Whakatane District Council public affairs manager Ross Boreham.

Ross says about a third of the people who made submissions to the Whakatane District Council's 2016/17 Annual Plan and reviewed Gambling Policy chose to use the less formal avenues provided via the Council's social media channels.

'Of the 80-plus Annual Plan submissions received, about a quarter were either Facebook posts or ‘Quick Comments” on the Council website.

'All of the feedback received will be reported to the Council at hearings later this week and will be taken into consideration through the deliberations process.”

Submitters raised about 170 separate Annual Plan submission points, with the proposed Plains Water upgrade project and introduction of water meters in Edgecumbe generating the most feedback.

Parks and reserves, economic development and community funding were also popular submission points.

Ross says the review of the District Gambling Policy drew 16 formal submissions and 12 informal responses (Facebook posts or ‘Quick Comments'), making a total of 65 submission points.

Key areas of interest were the proposed cap on the total number of gaming machines in the District; merging of clubs; relocation of current venues and permitted new venue locations; and the positive and negative social impacts of gambling.

Hearings for individuals and organisations wishing to present their submissions in person will be held on Wednesday (between 9am and 1pm) and Thursday (between 3.45pm and 6pm) this week at the Civic Centre (Council Chambers).

Interested members of the public are welcome to attend. Council elected members will deliberate on those submissions, and any new information affecting the annual budget for 2016/17, on May 11-12 and 18. Ross says these meetings are open to the public.

The Council will then adopt the final Annual Plan and fees and charges schedule and strike the rates for the 2016/17 year on June 23, with all of the decisions involved taking effect from July 1. The final Gambling Policy is expected to be adopted later this month.