Contractor confirmed for Tapu-Coroglen repair and key recovery updates
Published on 28 September 2023
Local contractor confirmed for Tapu-Coroglen repair
A company based in Coromandel Town with a track record of local storm recovery work is set to complete the repair of Tapu-Coroglen Road. Work is set to begin on Monday 2 October.
Kelsey Construction was successful in their bid for the project, with director Hamish Kelsey saying his team was acutely aware of how crucial the project was for locals.
"We see how important it is to get this completed," says Hamish. "We employ local people and are looking forward to starting work and doing a good job for our community."
He says the company currently employs 12 people, which can grow depending on what projects they have coming up.
Earlier this year, Kelsey Construction worked to reopen roads in Colville, Port Jackson and other storm-impacted regions (pictured).
The design chosen uses mass block retaining walls to support the underslip, with materials sourced from local suppliers. This method has been chosen to ensure that works can be completed quickly, while providing a long-term solution that meets long-term needs.
Works for the three sites on Tapu-Coroglen Rd have been packaged together to maximise efficiency.
We plan to have the road reopened in mid-December, weather dependent.
The current road closure will remain in place during construction. Access will be prevented to all road users due to ongoing changes in site conditions, reduced road wide due to earthworks, and safety of road workers and public. It is essential road users do not attempt to gain access through the sites during construction for your own safety.
We would like to remind motorists to obey the signage and barriers preventing vehicles driving through this closed section of the Tapu-Coroglen Road. The risks of slips and/or collapse are real and may occur without warning. A map of the repair locations is below.
Road signage will be in place with contact details if required, however if you wish to discuss these works or the road closure, please phone our Council on 07 868 0200.
We will post updates on this project to our roading webpage, Facebook page, and weekly newsletter.
Recipients announced for Mayor's Social Recovery Fund
Recipients of the Mayoral Relief Social Recovery Fund have been announced, with 55 community and voluntary organisations receiving an average of $5,660. The fund was developed to address the needs of community organisations who are supporting those affected by this year's adverse weather events.
“The applications showed just how many organisations are out there caring for our communities, and it’s great to able to support them in this way," says our Council's Community Partnerships co-ordinator Helen Flynn.
"We know the effects of the storms are still present in people’s lives, and our Community Partnerships team are working closely with those impacted, our wider Council, and local support services to achieve the milestones set out in our Recovery Plan.”
The Social Recovery Fund has been allocated to support the following:
1. Community events and activities that enliven affected communities.
2. Initiatives that enhance community connections and builds community resilience.
3. Funding community groups to address costs related to an increase in demand for welfare needs related to the adverse weather events this year.
Click here to see the full list of recipients and find out more about the fund. The funding will be distributed this month.
Click here to read more about the role of our Community Partnerships team.
Isolated communities receive resilience kits, with more on the way
Civil Defence has started distributing dozens of resilience kits, to ensure our most isolated communities can stay connected and safe until help arrives during severe weather.
These include generators, Starlink communication systems and batteries, blankets, radios, hygiene products, cooking equipment, tarps, and other essential items.
“These will be valuable to stay in touch with isolated communities after losing power or communications,” says Pam Balt, our Council’s Emergency and Community Resilience Coordinator. “They will make a huge difference to their safety and make sure we can share key updates when it is needed most.”
She adds that these could keep communities safe and connected for weeks, if needed.
They have been distributed to firestations, marae, and other key response locations in Colville, Tairua, Cook’s Beach, Thames, Kennedy Bay, Whangapoua, Manaia, Kopuatauaki and Port Charles. Many more communities have been prioritised and will also receive kits soon.
The kits are funded through resilience grants and funds from the Lion Foundation, the Ministry for Primary Industries, National Emergency Management Agency, and the Ministry of Social Development.
Click here to find out more information from Civil Defence about preparing for emergency events: www.civildefence.govt.nz
The latest from Waka Kotahi NZTA
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is visiting each of our Council’s local wards, to share updates on their recovery efforts, with our Community Boards, Business Association Chairs, and Resident and Ratepayer Associations.
The interactive sessions are providing a detailed update on the recovery and resilience work Waka Kotahi has planned or underway, as well as a chance to have questions answered.
“We are very thankful to Thames Coromandel District Council for the opportunity to front the various Coromandel community groups, says Acting Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations for Waka Kotahi, Cara Lauder.
"It’s been invaluable updating people and talking about the work we’re doing and also learning where we can do things better."
Progress on the SH25A bridge build
In their latest update, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Authority says the team is making great progress on the construction of the bridge. This timelapse footage shows just how far they have come.
There are a lot of variables in construction and at this point in time there are still uncertainties in the programme, such as fabrication of the beams, deck construction and impacts from the wind on our crane lifts. The contractor is currently delivering to the proposed programme and last week finished the piling.
Both the piling crew and rig are off to another project. They were a dedicated team who worked in both challenging and difficult conditions. We’d like to wish them luck on their next project.
Other activity nearing completion is the earthworks and slip stabilisation. This is a great achievement, especially after working in muddy and challenging conditions for the first two months of the project.
Above the ground, bridge construction continues, and the team has made great progress this past week.
Click here to read the full update, including details on State Highway repair sites around the Coromandel.
Public transport research
We understand that connecting our communities is vital for our region’s wellbeing. As part of our recovery work, our Council is currently running a survey on a potential Connector service between Coromandel Town and Thames.
Click here to fill in the survey online.
This consultation is being carried out with the community to help isolated communities to access work, education and other necessary services. We understand there are other areas who also have transport needs, and conversations about wider district public transport service are being held with Waikato Regional Council. We will then run a district-wide survey.
If you have any questions, or need help completing the survey, please email Social Navigator sheryll.fitzpatrick@tcdc.govt.nz.
Please complete and return your survey to CILT or our Council offices by Wednesday 12 October.
Visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/transportresearch. To stay up-to-date with this research, and other Council projects, visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/subscribe.
Our Business Sentiment survey is now open for local businesses.
It’s a chance for you to tell us how weather events have affected your business activity, sales volumes and employee numbers over the last eight months.
The purpose of this quarterly survey is to collect evidence to support the need for continued central and regional government support for our region.
By completing this survey, you will help us continue to strongly advocate for the needs of our business communities.
You can complete the survey here.
A reminder of rockfall risks at Cathedral Cove
Department of Conservation (DOC) staff in Coromandel are urging the local community to respect a rāhui and adhere to warnings after a Hahei resident used social media to explain how they reached Cathedral Cove using a closed and damaged track.
DOC says this directly contradicts DOC’s clear advice and disrespects a rāhui placed by Ngāti Hei to ensure the safety of manuhiri (visitors).
Cathedral Cove was significantly impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. In August, after obtaining independent advice in the form of a Landslide Risk Assessment, DOC announced it would not reinstate the tracks to the popular beach for summer 2023-24. Landslides and rockfall are an ongoing risk.
For more, visit this page of DOC’s website. Sign up to receive a digital newsletter by emailing cathedralcove@doc.govt.nz
Hahei beach access stairs
Work to rebuild three access stairways to Hahei beach that have been closed since they were damaged in February’s Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to begin Tuesday 24 October.
The work will take two to three weeks to complete. Until the damaged stairs are repaired, access to the beach remains the beach front car park access. Contractor Walkway Solutions is doing the work.
What's on?
Whangamatā Street Fling!
A day of music, food and fun is being held on Port Road, Whangamatā, from 10am to 3pm, this Saturday September 30. This is a family-friendly event, for all ages to enjoy.
Port Road will be closed from 9.00am and re-open after stall owners have packed up.
There will be stages hosting music and performers, as well as stalls and plenty of food options.
Spring Fling! Is proudly sponsored and produced by local business association Enterprise Whangamatā.
Click here to find out more.
Te Aorerekura: Hauraki conference
The Te Aorerekura conference is a free one-day conference being held in Thames on 5 October as part of the Thames-Coromandel Cyclone Recovery Social Wellbeing Plan.
The conference is is for frontline kaimahi working with whānau, to acknowledge the work being done in the family violence space across Hauraki. It's supporting organisations to be recognised as one resource across Hauraki – bringing to life Te Aorerekura in our communities.
It's being hosted by our Council, Te Whāriki Manawahine O Hauraki, Hauraki Family Violence Network and Regional Public Service Commission.
Registration is open to Kaimahi from social, community, Iwi, NGO, local and central government organisations working directly with whānau.
Register online by clicking here.