Our wrap-up: Our Anzac heritage, drive the Lucky Loop, and Kōpū update

Published on 21 April 2023

The latest with Mayor Len

The Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals kick off today bringing more than 1,100 paddlers, representing 56 different clubs, from across Aotearoa to Buffalo Beach in Whitianga. Our Council has actively sponsored and helped to promote this event, including myself contributing and setting up a sound system. How’s that for a hands-on approach?

As a district, we are very proud to host this prestigious event that will bring some new visitors to Mercury Bay and a welcome boost to our local businesses and accommodation providers. I really encourage our locals to come down and view the races from Buffalo Beach Reserve - there will be amazing views of the teams on the water, and food and goods vendors are on site for the occasion.

This week I got out and about with some media to explore the Lucky Loop – the world’s first driving lottery. All you need to do to enter is drive the SH25 loop in the Coromandel from Thames to Waihi. I urge visitors to explore this route to be in to win some excellent prizes as part of this promotion from Destination Hauraki Coromandel. Visit luckyloop.co.nz for details.

Following a rough start to the year with visitor numbers down significantly, we wanted to do something that reminded Kiwis that the Coromandel district is open and we’re ready to host them. The Coromandel is still a fabulous destination to visit, and we want to be back on the itinerary.

We are about to start work on local road repairs including Tapu-Coroglen and are working closely with Waka Kotahi on the best options for SH25A. I attended a Waikato Regional Transport Committee meeting to work on regional roading investment priorities for the entire network across the peninsula. We’re ready to put in the work to ensure our roads are repaired, reinstated, and resilient.

Next week Tuesday is Anzac Day and our Council will be represented at each of the parades and memorials services taking place around our district. I extend a warm welcome to everyone to join us as we remember those who have served on our behalf. 

Horouring our ANZAC heritage

Our Council’s Chief Executive, Aileen Lawrie, will play the Last Post on the bugle at the Thames Memorial Service on Anzac Day.

A talented musician, Aileen has played in brass bands throughout New Zealand, was in the Air Force band and, in recent years, has played The Last Post at various Anzac Day events during her time at Ōpōtiki District Council. 

“It’s a privilege to have this opportunity to honour those in times past and present, who have given their service so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today,” says Aileen. 

Aileen will be playing a very special bugle that is on loan from Thames Museum te Whare Taonga o te Kauaeranga. The bugle once belonged to local Miriam McKenzie who, from the mid-70s for three decades, would play Last Post on the bugle at funerals for returned servicepeople. The bugle is WWI-era British military design, but its history before it came into Miriam McKenzie’s possession is unknown. Her son is a volunteer at the museum and donated it to their collection.

Aileen chose this bugle because it’s quite rare to have a female bugler.

“I feel privileged to be able to play it” she says, “I hope I do it justice.”

The Thames Museum’s War Memorial section honours local soldiers who served in both world wars and, during the lead up to Anzac Day, staff will be highlighting memorabilia in the collection that bring to life the town’s wartime memories. 

Anzac parades and memorial services in our district

Our Mayor Len extends a warm welcome to the public to attend our district's Anzac Parades and Memorial Services on Tuesday 25 April 2023, as we remember those who have served on our behalf.

• All descendants of returned service personnel are welcome to participate in the parades.
• Returned service personnel are asked to wear their medals and decorations.
• Descendants of returned service personnel marching in the parades are asked to wear medals on the right upper portion of their apparel.

Find out about services near you

Our road to recovery

Central government announced this week they will provide an additional $25 million of business recovery support in the regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

This follows earlier support of $50 million to assist the business community with their immediate cashflow needs.

It has not yet been announced how this additional funding will be allocated to our Council to administer on behalf of the Waikato region.

Our Business Recovery Grants Fund was heavily oversubscribed. We received applications totalling $10.8 million for $3.8 million of central government support allocated to our Council to disburse to applicants in the region.

Transport and Coromandel Cyclone Recovery Minister Michael Wood has heard loud and clear from not just our Council but from business operators and members of the community that the need for government support has not ended, and in his recent visit here he committed to more support for businesses to get through until SH25A is restored.

Minister Wood is back next week to meet with affected Coromandel businesses again.

To promote travel to our district, Council have teamed up with Destination Coromandel to promote the Lucky Loop. This initiative encourages travellers to use SH25 for a chance to win prizes. You can find out more about this in the story below.

Our Council’s roading team is working towards a temporary alternative route for the Tapu-Coroglen Road that we estimate will be ready for use in June.

In the meantime, we’re working on a permanent repair to the road that we estimate will be complete in December. You can read more about this here. 

Drive SH25 to win prizes this ANZAC weekend 

The tourism promotion agency Destination Coromandel has launched a world-first driving lottery to encourage Kiwis to take the coastal route of State Highway 25 and visit the district more regularly. 

During Anzac weekend – from today Friday 21 April until the end of Tuesday 25 April - any vehicle that drives SH25 Coromandel Loop will be in the draw to win a range of epic prizes including three nights at Hāhei Beach Resort in a beachfront bach, boat trips, snorkel tours and even dozens of Coromandel oysters. 

tcdc.govt.nz/luckyloop 

Kōpū site visit shows huge progress

Businesses, community, agencies and contractors were on site this week see the huge progress that’s being made at the Kōpū Marine Servicing and Business Precinct.  

The finished precinct will feature an 80m-long commercial wharf and floating pontoon, an expanded haul-out, an upgraded, concrete reinforced slipway and a public boat ramp and car park. 

“This project has hit a significant milestone in the next phase of building,” says Mayor Len. “The support we’ve had from iwi, businesses and stakeholders including the government and regional council has been phenomenal. And there's so much opportunity for investment by other businesses in this precinct as it becomes operational in 2024,” says Mayor Len. “There‘s space for supporting marine servicing business, commercial activity and ancillary services relating to recreational boating and water-based tourism.” 

Marine contractors Heron Construction have started work on the construction of the commercial wharf, with roading contractors Fulton Hogan having completed the first stage of works in March, including forming the base for the recreational parking and commercial areas and connecting the newly formed King Street to the precinct, including installing communications, electrical conduits and water.  

Waikato Regional Council will make a decision next week on an application to its Regional Development Fund to help fund the project.  

There is the potential for up to 100 long-term positions to be created through the precinct which is due to open in May 2024.  

tcdc.govt.nz/kopu

Whitianga Marina upgrade a welcome boost  

The Whitianga Marina upgrade which officially opened this month is a great example of what still can be achieved despite delays caused by storms and road closures, supply chain and labour market issues and the impacts of COVID," says Mayor Len. 

“The Marina upgrade is great news for business and the creation of job opportunities in Whitianga. This’ll bring welcome relief during what’s been a trying time for the hospitality and visitor sector in the town and surrounds. 

“Undoubtedly, the upgrade will be good for businesses and provide job opportunities in Whitianga and further afield. Berth holders are strong supporters of local restaurants and other facilities around the town. Employment opportunities from the increased number of berths will flow across a wide range of trades servicing boats, not only from the marina but also those moored on the Waterways,” says Mayor Len. 

Locals and businesses look forward to the investment in the town the upgraded marina will bring with an extra 31 larger berths for top-end cruising craft, to the marina’s current 190 moderate-sized berths. 

Rubbish and recycling changes ahead

Household kerbside collections are changing from 1 September 2023.

• Instead of blue bags you’ll get a new 140-litre wheelie bin for rubbish which’ll be collected fortnightly.
• You’ll also get a new 25-litre bin for food scraps which’ll be collected weekly.
• Recycling will be collected fortnightly from your glass crates and mixed recycling wheelie bin.
• All Council Refuse Transfer Stations will be open seven days a week.

tcdc.govt.nz/solid-waste-FAQs

Waikawau toilets vandalism

There’s been significant vandalism at Waikawau boat ramp toilets this week. We’ve had a water pump stolen, water pipes cut and water drained several times in the last five days.  

Every time we fill the tanks it costs ratepayers $360. 

We are working on ways to better secure these assets. If the vandalism continues the toilets may have to be closed until the assets can be secured. 

We’ve reported it to the police and asked the local boat ramp society to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour. If you have any information, please let the police know, using the reference number OR-1168216N 

Works in your area

Kaimarama Cemetery project enters next stage: The next step in the Kaimarama Cemetery project began this week. The current scope of work includes the construction of half of the designated ashes area, ablution block, shelter, paths, and Sexton shed with a total budget of $81,307. This work is expected to be complete by the end of June. Works already completed include an intersection along with road access, planting, and internal roading. Read more here.

Kūaotunu Reserve: Tree work will begin on Monday 24 April, weather permitting, to clear the branches from the powerlines.  Traffic management will be in place. Once this is completed further tree work will be carried out to remove branches and fallen trees left from Cyclone Gabrielle.  

What's on: Events in our district

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Dogs looking for new homes

We have two dogs available for adoption:

1. 12-month old male pup (pictured left), neat, playful nature, but gentle as well.  
2. An adorable brindle female (pictured right) around 2 years old, who has a quiet gentle temperament, extremely patient, loves a pat and affection.