The Western Bay of Plenty District Council have determined there are no significant or material differences between their draft 2017-18 annual plan and the 2015-25 long term plan.

Therefore, it will not be holding a formal consultation process with the public.

Instead, Council has decided to put a lot more time and effort into its community engagement for the next LTP process.

Mayor Garry Webber says this is a much more efficient use of community and Council time.

'Rather than consulting on a draft Annual Plan in which there is virtually no change, and which has essentially already been consulted on through the last LTP, we're much better off talking about things that will have a big impact on people's lives over the next 10 years - and where we need input and guidance on what they want and think.”

Garry says there will still be opportunities for people to discuss the draft Annual Plan through things such as the public forum section of Council meetings and by talking to councillors and community board members.

'Council will be communicating about what's proposed through a variety of methods such as our website, media releases, ‘Your District Update' newspaper pages and Facebook, so there will be ample opportunities to find out what's in the plan.”