Roading updates, book a northern Coromandel campsite, and funding news
Published on 27 October 2023
The latest on our Council roading repairs
Tapu-Coroglen Road
Works by local contractors Kelsey Construction and their sub-contractors are progressing well and we are now back on track to open the road prior to Christmas. The timber retaining wall has been completed, and placement of the first blocks, sourced locally from Cirtex in Kōpū, has kicked-off the construction of the block wall below the road.
Disappointingly, there have been some recent incidents of vandalism to the contractors plant and equipment, along with confrontation from some of the public towards staff. Council and our contractors have zero tolerance towards this type of behaviour. Police have been involved regarding these recent, and any further incidents of this nature. We want to reinforce that this section of the road is completely closed to the public during this construction phase. Physical barriers are in place on the Coroglen end of the site, alongside private security guards after hours.
Black Jack Road
Tenders have closed for this site and we are currently busy working through the tender evaluation process, with the contract anticipated to be awarded early November and works to commence shortly afterwards.
Colville Road
Works are progressing with the multiple sites along Colville Road, with two sites beginning construction next week.
SH25A progress update from Waka Kotahi
The latest SH25A update from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency – it's looking like a bridge:
"The final girder (beam) was lifted into place last Wednesday – just 10 days after the first was installed. The next challenge for the team is forming the deck surface with 138 pre-cast reinforced concrete deck slabs and installing 44 precast side barriers.
For scale, these slabs, and the concrete poured in between them, weigh over 1000 tonnes. The barriers are placed over these and a levelling and asphalt layer will be laid.
In total the steel girders will support 1560 tonnes of concrete and asphalt before we even put traffic over the bridge."
Click here to read the full update and meet one of the construction team: a site engineer who's travelled from Auckland for the build.
Supporting local throughout the SH25A build
The project is supporting both local businesses and employment, having created up to 100 jobs both on and off-site. Over 20 local businesses are involved in the SH25A rebuild as suppliers of materials, tools, equipment, accommodation, catering, machinery and services.
Around 95 percent of the construction crew either live or are being housed locally. The remaining five percent travel to site for a day or two at a time and stay in local motels. Thank you to the team, local businesses, and everyone who is working to support the rebuild.
Accommodation needed for road workers
A reminder that Independent Traffic Control contractors who are working on SH25A are looking for accommodation options in Thames and Thames Coast.
They're needing accommodation ASAP, up until Christmas, for eight staff. Four are on night shifts and four are on day shifts. As demand is high, anything will be considered.
Please call 021 277 2688 or email ThomasS@itraffic.co.nz if you have something available.
DOC opens bookings for northern Coromandel campsites
Photo: Stony Bay Campsite by Chris Tee.
Bookings have now opened for several DOC northern Coromandel campsites, at Fletcher Bay, Port Jackson, Stony Bay, Fantail Bay and Waikawau Bay. The sites offer idyllic seaside camping on a “pack in, pack out” basis (which means you need to take your rubbish and recycling with you to dispose of).
They provide an “off the beaten track” classic Kiwi seaside camping experience, ideal for people who enjoy fishing, tramping, swimming, snorkelling and boating.
Although several of the campsites sustained damage from Cyclone Gabrielle, and were closed for several months while repaired, they will be available from staggered opening dates in October. Post-cyclone work included inspecting vaults below toilets, fixing water take infrastructure, rebuilding internal roads within the campsites, repairing bridges and culverts and removing strewn vegetation and some trees.
Join us for a mental health kōrero with Richie Barnett
As a local recovery initiative, Mike King and Richie Barnett are visiting the Coromandel to talk about mental health and Gumboot Friday – their charity which connects young people with mental health support.
Join Richie in Whangamatā and Tairua, for some kai and a chance to hear about their work to create positive change for rangatahi. Mike King visited Colville and Whitianga earlier this week, while Richie spoke in Thames last night.
Whangamatā (Richie Barnett)
Friday October 27
7.30–9pm
Whangamatā Surf Club, Williamson Park, Whangamatā
Light supper provided.
Tairua (Richie Barnett)
Saturday October 28
Tairua Fishing Club
12 The Marina, Tairua
1–2.30pm
These events are coordinated by our Council supported by the Ministry of Primary Industries Resilience Fund, as part of our Council’s Recovery Plan.
Visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/kaiandkorero
Rangatahi head out fishing with local mentors
Alongside Te Huarahi (Police, Ministry for Social Development and Ngatī Maru), our Council recently supported a group of rangatahi to join a local fishing trip, where they connected with a range of local mentors.
Twenty-six rangatahi were selected by Te Huarahi mentors to go on the trip, alongside expert fishing professionals, as well as two local celebrities: ex-Black Fern Vita Dryden and leading hip-hop artist Tipene Harmer.
Run as a recovery initiative, the day was held to foster social inclusion, give local rangatahi opportunities to access different experiences and spend time with mentors and other rangatahi in a different environment. This is a healthy way to celebrate their achievements and grow their confidence in their relationships with others.
Click here to read more about the trip.
This trip was supported by our Council’s Mayoral Relief Social Recovery Fund.
Help to plan a summer tourism campaign
Destination Hauraki Coromandel have been working on their biggest summer campaign yet. It's designed to build back confidence in The Coromandel as the place Where Kiwis Holiday.
A key part of the campaign design brief to the agency team was that it must be inclusive: operators, businesses, business associations and other community groups would have the opportunity to leverage the campaign to promote what they have to offer visitors.
They are now looking for subjects and elements to test the campaign concept. This could be your business, town, or product. The campaign will unfold quickly from here, so please email Laura at their ad agency, DDB, this week with all your ideas and what you want to do. Contact her on laura.sylvester@nz.ddb.com.
Local tourism spend data released for September
Marketview’s latest spend data shows the majority of our communities are still struggling to attract the same level of tourism as last year. The total Coromandel tourism spend for September was $15.02 million, down almost 8 percent from $16.3 million from September 2022.
Transactions were down 4.8 percent compared to September last year, while the average spend per transaction was down 3.2 percent ($47.50 compared to $49.06).
Tairua experienced the largest decline, with spending at $692,155 – a 23.6 percent decrease. This was followed by Pauanui at $725,104 (a decrease of 19.4 percent) and Whitianga at $3,632,355 (a decrease of 18.7 percent).
On a positive note, Whangamatā experienced a 10.9 percent spend increase from September last year: the total spend was $3,247,501, with just over 70,000 transactions (an increase of 13.8 percent).
Thames experienced a slight decrease of 2.3 percent, with a small increase in transactions (1.3 percent).
Community Funding Expo
The Waikato Community Funding Expo is a great opportunity to talk to a range of funders all under the same roof.
Check out the stalls and attend a workshop on funding tips, storytelling, what funders look for and impact measurement.
There's lots of practical advice, information and strategies to assist with your community group or project.
Wednesday November 1, 9am-3pm. SkyCity Hamilton. Click here to find out more.
Apply for a Mental Health Foundation Social Action Grant
The Mental Health Foundation are currently accepting applications for their Puna Pūtea/Social Action Grants.
The grants are between $10,000 and $40,000 and are available for projects that will challenge negative stereotypes, unfair judgements, and discrimination towards people who live with mental distress or illness.
It’s easy to apply for the Puna Pūtea/Social Action Grants, to apply follow these steps:
- Visit the Mental Health Foundation website to read the criteria and all the information you need to create a successful application.
- Register for the online grant hub by following this link and fill out your application – which can be either a written form or a video.
- Need some tautoko/support with your application? Contact the team on socialactiongrants@mentalhealth.org.nz
Applications close on Tuesday, 31st October. Click here to apply.
Opportunities at our Council
We have a range of job opportunities available. At our Council, we ensure work-life balance is not just a dream but a reality.
We also offer an array of staff benefits including: flexible work arrangements, relocation allowance, free parking, sick leave on commencement of employment and more.
Job opportunities currently advertised are:
- Governance Advisor
- Assurance Business Partner
- Technical Support Officer – Project Delivery (Fixed Term)
- Strategic & District Planning Team Leader
Or if there are currently no vacancies that fit your skillset and knowledge, please let us know by completing an expression of interest application via the link below.
Click here for more information or to apply.
We also send this update as an email. To receive it, visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/subscribe