Karen Linsell

Is it not perplexing that Whakatāne District Council permits the Awatapu Lagoon, streams, and creeks to languish in a state of stagnation, replete with rubbish and foul odours, thereby creating an environment inhospitable to animals?

Promotion of the area as a tourist destination, replete with a new walking track, appears to be at odds with the reality of the situation.

Should tourists not be warned of the area's degraded state and the struggles faced by the local wildlife?

The unchecked proliferation of koi fish in the area only serves to exacerbate the environmental issues, while the stream emanating from Sullivan's Lake flowing through a nearby field underscores the pressing need for improved environmental stewardship.

What candid opinions do those who have visited this area hold regarding the apparent neglect of environmental and animal welfare concerns?