SH25A, Council meeting highlights and a new Coromandel Town-Thames bus

Published on 15 December 2023

The latest from Mayor Len

SH25A (Kōpū-Hikuai Road) is now just days away from reopening, and this morning I had a chance to get up close to the Taparahi bridge site alongside the new Transport Minister Simeon Brown.  

The visit was well attended by media and there’ll be no shortage of reports on local and national media about the occasion, like this one.

I took the opportunity to remind the Minister that once the road is reopened, the Coromandel recovery story is not over. Roadworks on both the State Highway network and our Council local roads will continue for a year or more – that’s just to put them back to the state they were in pre-cyclones. Then, we’ve made a case to government for key sections of the network to be improved to make them better able to withstand future severe weather events, so there could be road cones in our future for some time.   

Today we also hosted a get-together in Thames to thank the workers and celebrate the reopening of SH25A. An event at the bridge itself can’t be held as it’s still an active work site, and will continue to be worked on after the road reopens while finishing touches are applied. There’ll be speed reductions and traffic management in place so please follow workers’ directions. Please don’t try to stop on the bridge to take pictures or sightsee. 

Spare a thought too for the Coromandel’s business community, which has suffered through a year of dismal trading as a result of the road’s closure, on top of the hardships Covid imposed. Their woes won’t be instantly erased by the road’s reopening, and will likely take many months to recover, but this is a hugely important step. 

Today’s events wrap up a busy week at Council, with:
• a long but productive meeting on Tuesday, which you can read more about below.
• a workshop on Wednesday where we discussed elements of the Long Term Plan like the Infrastructure Strategy
• a citizenship ceremony on Thursday (pictured) where I swore in members of the Coromandel community who have taken the step to become fully-fledged kiwis. They are an important reminder of why we have chosen to remain in or relocate to our beautiful part of the world. 

Prime Minister visits SH25A Taparahi site

Mere days ahead of the official re-opening, the brand-new Taparahi bridge at SH25A was visited this morning by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Transport Minister Simeon Brown, the MP for the Coromandel Scott Simpson, our Mayor Len Salt and staff from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and our Council.

SH25A (Kōpū-Hikuai Road has been closed since late January after a large section (now bridged) collapsed in the major storms.

The reconnection to our eastern seaboard has come three months earlier than expected and will see holidaymakers flock to the likes of Whangamatā, Pāuanui and Hahei in time for the busy summer season. It’s also a crucial lifeline for residents to get much quicker than via the detours we’ve been experiencing for most of the year.

In recognition of the immense effort by everyone involved, Waka Kotahi and our Council put on a celebration morning tea at Thames on Kirkwood where our Mayor Len Salt shared that more than $91 million in revenue was lost for local businesses because of this road closure and that the reopening of the road will rejuvenate our district.

“Having this route reopen and building more resilience provides certainty for our economy. It will help to alleviate the heightened anxiety our communities have experienced in the past year. It’s resurrected connectedness of getting to school, to work, to medical/hospital appointments, to visit friends, family and whanau.”

A blessing will take place on Monday 18 December with the road planned to be open to the public by Wednesday 20 December. 

Final stretch for SH25A bridge

Waka Kotahi NZTA and their team are now on the final stretch ahead of SH25A reopening to traffic next week.

Despite last week’s patchy weather, chip seal and the final layer of asphalt were laid across the bridges and approaches, line marking completed, and all barriers and signage are now in place. With that critical work complete, the team’s focus this week is to complete all finishing works that can only be done without traffic on the bridge.

This includes sealing the bridge barriers, finishing critical drainage connections beneath the bridge, and checking and tidying the site. Traffic management will be set up to protect vehicles from parts of the site that aren’t complete such as the open channels on the eastern approach and to allow workers to safely access the areas when they return after the break.

The soil nails on the slip face have now been grouted and the team is now installing the bearing plates, meshing and bio-grid mesh. While SH25A was closed, they have made the most of it by clearing slips, stabilising slopes, replacing culverts, installing new seal and signs. Those teams now are also now doing their final works in order to reopen the road.

Busy final Council meeting of the year

This week’s Council meeting started with a jam-packed public gallery and impassioned presentations in the public forum on cell phone masts, Tourism Infrastructure Funding money for upgrades of the public toilet at Waikawau reserve, funding for info centres, business associations, Destination Hauraki-Coromandel and the future of the Council-owned 101 Lindsay Road property in Whangamatā.  

Then we went into a very full day where numerous reports were considered by our Councillors and Mayor.  

• The Whangamatā Community Marae Trust and the Eastern Coromandel Community Services Trust have prepared and presented a business case for 101 Lindsay Rd to be used as community marae and wellbeing hub. Council received the business case, and the next step is a report will be put to Council in the new year to consider the future use of this piece of land.  

• After much hard work on the part of staff, the Annual Report for 2022/23 was adopted. Working with Audit NZ, some final minor adjustments will be made before the Report is published.   

• Council approved temporary speed limit changes for Black Jack Road in Kūaotunu that will lower speed limits over the holiday season and beyond. See more on this below.  

• The amended Significance and Engagement Policy was adopted. The policy sets out our general approach to determining significance and how we will engage with our communities.  

• For the purposes of the draft Long Term Plan (LTP), the current funding for the delivery of destination marketing, which is currently done by Destination Hauraki-Coromandel (DHC) – will be maintained. Staff will facilitate a review of the purpose, performance and funding of DHC and report back to Council with any changes timed for implementation by 1 July 2024.   

• Council also opted to retain the status quo district funding on the current service delivery of the information centres for the next three-year period, while also reviewing all of the performance indicators and operational models (with the exception of Thames where there’ll be an Expressions of Interest advertised over summer for an operator).  

• Contestable Community Board grants and discretionary grant funding will be reinstated at the same amount as in the 2021-2031 LTP but will be amalgamated into a discretionary grants budget for each Community Board.  

• Funding for business associations was declined but our economic development team will continue to support the work these groups have been doing to support local businesses to recover from the cyclones and build local economic capacity. $125,000 of recovery funding is proposed to be allocated for year 1 of the upcoming 2024-2034 LTP.  

• In the report from our Chief Executive Aileen Lawrie was a section on what capital and operational expenditure will go into the draft LTP, which was approved. The finance team is in the process of modelling these budget figures to calculate the rating impact that will factor into the LTP proposals for public consultation in March-April next year. Find out more about the LTP here: www.tcdc.govt.nz/LTP-2024-2034.  

Opportunities at our Council

We have an exciting range of opportunities currently being advertised: 

• Strategic & District Planning Team Leader
• Senior Resource Consent Planner 
• District Planner 
• Principal Policy Advisor
• Policy Advisor
• Track Ambassadors for New Chums & Long Bay  

At our Council we ensure work-life balance is not just a dream but a reality.

We offer an array of staff benefits including flexible work arrangements, relocation allowance, free parking, sick leave on commencement of employment and more. 

Long Term Plan journey picks up pace

Our Council has been continuing to develop the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan (LTP), with much work being done to prepare a work programme that is both achievable and affordable. The LTP sets out the project priorities and services and how they are funded for the next decade. 

In March-April 2024 we’ll have proposals for the draft LTP available for public feedback, including the impact of budgets on rates. The final LTP will be adopted by the end of June 2024, just in time for the financial year beginning on 1 July.  

Additional summer kerbside collections 

We’re putting on additional summer kerbside services to cater for increased visitor numbers to our district. These will begin following Christmas and last until just after Waitangi Day. 

The additional collections take in the Coromandel’s entire east coast, as well as Coromandel Town & Te Kōuma, and Coromandel Rural North.  

Calendars are available online at www.tcdc.govt.nz/summerkerbside or printed copies should be available from Council offices next week. Alternatively, you can email us at customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz or call us on 07 868 0200 for details.  

Kerbside collections in Thames & Surrounds, Thames Rural South and Thames Coast & Manāia will remain the same as the standard year-round schedule. 

Keep reading to the bottom of this email for information about: 

Connector bus launches between Coromandel Town and Thames for summer

Our Council has been granted recovery funding from the Ministry of Social Development to trial a Connector bus service between Thames and Coromandel Town. The aim is to reconnect our communities with healthcare, education, appointments, work opportunities and whānau. 

From Monday 18 December, the service will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (see the full schedule below). Tickets are $5 each way (under 14s are free) and users can pay by cash or Eftpos on the day. The trial will run for 13 weeks, from Monday 18 December 2023, until Monday 18 March 2024. 

The vans hold up to 11 passengers, so bookings are essential. To book, please text the correct provider shown on the schedule below. Please include your name, the service time and the town you are being picked up from. 

“We are looking forward to having this service up and running for our communities who need it,” says our Community Partnerships Coordinator Helen Flynn.

“As people have told us, being able to access appointments, key services and work is so important. It will also help to reduce isolation by supporting friends and whānau to spend time together over the holiday season. We're asking our locals to get behind this trial, spread the word and use the service.” 

 

Local Council Road updates 

Black Jack Road lower speed limits

Council approved temporary speed limit changes for Black Jack Road in Kūaotunu that will lower speed limits over the holiday season and beyond until Council adopts the draft Speed Management Plan. The Kūaotunu community has been asking for lower speed limits for some time, given the increases in holiday traffic and increased pedestrian movements in Kūaotunu village. 

The new – lower – speed limits are: 
• 30 kmh through Kūaotunu Village replacing the existing 50 kmh limit.
• 70 kmh along Blackjack Road replacing the existing 100 kmh limit.
• 30 kmh through Ōtama Beach Road (cul-de-sac) replacing the existing 50 kmh limit.  

Bluff Road, Kūaotunu, remains closed

A reminder that Bluff Road between Rings Beach and Matarangi remains closed to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians until further notice.

There is a falling rock hazard with a risk of serious injury or death. The DOC Matarangi Bluff walking track is an alternative. 

Summer safety with Hato Hone St John 

This summer, Hato Hone St John wants everyone to stay safe in the water and is reminding people to look after yourselves, your friends and your whānau. 

Last summer (December 2022 – February 2023), Hato Hone St John responded to almost 200 water incidents across Aotearoa New Zealand (up 1.6 percent on the previous summer).

Andy Everiss, Hato Hone St John District Operations Manager – Tāmaki Makaurau, says water safety is already on the minds of paramedics around the country, with the emergency ambulance service starting to see a rise in water-related callouts. 

“We want people to have fun in the water, but please know your limits, look out for friends and whānau and, importantly, please don’t take your eyes off young children when they’re in or near the water,” he says.  

Here are some tips from Hato Hone St John to keep safe in the water: 

• Many water-related incidents are preventable and unfortunately alcohol often plays a part – so it’s best to avoid it.  

• If you see someone in trouble in the water, stay calm and get help immediately – alert any lifeguards on duty or seek out others to assist.  

• If it is safe, get the person out of the water, check if they are breathing and if they have a pulse. If there’s no pulse, start CPR immediately and ensure someone has called 111 for an ambulance.  

• If you’re boating, wear a correctly fitted life jacket, tell someone where you’re going and know exactly where your location is.  

• Always supervise children around water. 

• Be aware of dangers and risks such as rips at the beach, and always swim between the flags or near a lifeguard if possible.  

• Avoid swimming alone as water conditions can change quickly and unexpectedly.   

• If you’re in, on, or around water this summer, remember to protect yourself from the sun’s harsh rays by seeking shade during the hottest part of the day, covering up with clothing and regularly reapplying sunscreen – and don’t forget to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.   

• Remember the catchy slogan and wise words by ACC, “have a hmmm" this summer while enjoying all the wonderful places and sights the Coromandel has to offer. 

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Te Kooti Whenua Māori: Information Seminar

Join us for at two informative sessions as part of the Māori Land Court Seminar programme with Maria Graham (Pae Manawa, Waikato Maniapoto, Te Kooti Whenua Māori).

Wednesday 20 December 2023:  9.30am–12.30pm
Whenua Māori: Succession and Whānau Trusts
Venue: Council Chambers, Thames-Coromandel District Council, 515 Mackay Street, Thames

Thursday 20 February 2024:  9.30AM–12.30PM
Whenua Māori:  Ahu Whenua Trusts and Trust Applications
Venue: Council Chambers, Thames-Coromandel District Council, 515 Mackay Street, Thames

The objectives of these seminars are to:

1.      Build understanding of Māori Land Court process.
2.      Review an application pathway and requirements.
3.      Demonstrate Online Tools -  Our website and Pātaka Whenua

Support information

• Application Forms
• MLC Factsheets

To register, please contact Council:

Phone: 07 868 0200
Email: customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz   

General Court enquiries to can be sent to mlctewaharoa@justice.govt.nz

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Reusable items drop-off at Tairua Refuse Transfer Station

A new drop-off centre to divert reusable and recyclable products from going to landfill opens today, Friday 15 December, at our Council's Tairua Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station.

 

This facility will be established and operated by the Seagull Centre. People will be able to drop off a wide range of reusable goods for repurposing. The products collected will be transported to the Seagull Centre in Thames where they will be processed and either sold through its retail channels or recycled through established outlets.

 

Goods that can be dropped off include:
• reusable household goods
• electronics
• whiteware in working order
• building products – any items that can be reused or recycled
• clothes – must be clean
• beds and furniture – in good order (no stains, rips etc.)

Most items are free to drop off, but there may be a charge for selected items such as TVs, printers and some whiteware. EFTPOS only operates for paying charges.

 

Items that cannot be dropped off include:

• damaged MDF/chipboard furniture

• electric blankets

• items that cannot be sold or recycled.

 

Operating hours for the drop-off point are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 8.30am–4pm.

It’s a collaboration between our Council, Thames’ Seagull Centre, and contractors Waste Management. For more information: Please contact the Seagull Centre

• info@seagullcentre.co.nz

• Facebook @SeagullCentre

 

• Visit the Seagull Centre website

New large recycling bins for Matarangi

New large recycling blue bins are about to be installed at Matarangi Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station and should be in place before Christmas. The bins will be a great asset to the recycling drop-off facility at Matarangi transfer station. Our contractors will be laying the concrete on Friday 15 December (and leaving it several days to ‘cure’) in preparation for installation. The bins should be in place by Thursday 21 December. The new bins have been funded by our Council’s Waste Minimisation Fund, as well as The Packaging Forum and the Glass Packaging Forum. 

Matarangi and Pāuanui Molok removals

For environmental and hygiene reasons, the rubbish Moloks at Pāuanui and Matarangi are being replaced with coin-operated mobile refuse compactors. Customers will be able to dispose of their bagged rubbish at a cost of $2 per bag. Old pre-paid blue rubbish bags will continue to be accepted for free at any Council Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station during the operating hours 8.30am-5.30pm over summer. 

The closure of the Moloks is due to odour compliants and rain water getting into the Moloks as a result of users leaving the lids open after depositing rubbish.  

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Coromandel Town Christmas art exhibition

The much-loved Coromandel Christmas annual art exhibition is now in its 35th year.

 

It opens this Sunday December 17 at 5pm at Hauraki House Gallery and running until Saturday 14 January 2024. With 34 artists involved, it's a diverse group show making it an exciting exhibition to see with a wide variety of different artistic disciplines on display.

 

Many of the artists involved have exhibited in this Christmas show for years and are very well-known locally and around New Zealand, it's a must-see visit if you are in Coromandel Town over the holidays.

 

• Click here to view the poster

Adoptable dog of the week

This handsome young chap loves pats and to play with other dogs.

He is a gentle soul and would be well suited to most homes. Very trainable, just needs someone to show him the ropes and get used to being on-lead.  

If you are interested in adopting a dog, please contact us on 07 868 0200.

Once your interest is known, a Dog Control Officer will be in contact with you to discuss the adoption and carry out the appropriate checks, this may include a visit to your property.

Please note that some people may not be acceptable for adoptions and that we reserve the right to make decisions on the most suitable homes for any dogs available for adoption.

If your adoption is successful, you will be required to register and microchip the dog prior to taking it home.