Join DOC for Cathedral Cove drop-in sessions, plus more local updates
Published on 17 May 2024
New date and venues confirmed for Cathedral Cove drop-in sessions
A date and venues have been confirmed for community drop-in sessions on the options to reinstate walking access to the Coromandel’s Cathedral Cove beach.
The sessions, hosted by the Department of Conservation (DOC), will be held on Saturday 25 May.
Two community drop-in sessions will be held:
• The Mercury Bay Community Boardroom – 10 Monk St, Whitianga, 9.30am-12pm. Click here to view the Facebook event.
• The Hahei Community Hall – 52 Hāhei Beach Road, Hāhei, 2.00pm-4.30pm. Click here to join the Facebook event.
Attendees will be able to read information on the walking access reinstatement options being considered and talk to DOC staff about what those options entail.
People attending the drop-in sessions can also respond to a DOC survey on reinstatement options. Those who cannot attend the drop-in sessions can email cathedralcove@doc.govt.nz to provide feedback.
Feedback from the public will be included in decision-making processes.
The track to Cathedral Cove beach has been closed to the public since February 2023, when it was damaged by landslides caused by extreme weather events.
Click here to read the latest updates from DOC
Caring for the health of our local trees
The Coromandel’s trees and native species are precious – they’re beautiful to look at, provide shade on sunny days, support our region’s biodiversity and are an important part of our local environment. Because of this, it’s important that the survival and health of trees planted on public land are looked after.
We therefore ask that if you have an issue with a tree or vegetation on public land, please contact our Council’s Customer Services team or fill out an online Request for Service form, instead of taking action yourself. We are lucky to have a team of experienced arborists on hand to make sure trees on public land are maintained with their long-term health in mind. Cutting or pruning at random could lead to the loss of our community’s trees and some of these could take decades to re-establish. Our teams would love to hear from you if there are issues you feel we need to address, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Filling in a Request for Service form with as much information you can provide is the best way to make sure it’s addressed – even better if you can include some photos: www.tcdc.govt.nz/rfs
If your issue (tree-related or otherwise) needs immediate attention, please call us on 07 868 0200 (24/7) so we can get on to it right away.
Meet the Council cadets supporting our recovery work
Our cadets meet CE Aileen Lawrie (left) and Community Partnerships Co-ordinator Helen Flynn (right).
Through the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs programme, supported by storm recovery funding and the Ministry of Social Development, our Council have established six fixed-term cadetship roles. They are working in our Parks and Open Spaces and Community Outcomes teams, who have experienced an increase in workloads responding to the impacts of last year's severe weather events. While supporting Council in our recovery programme, the cadets have the opportunity to learn about different career pathways within Council.
Yesterday the cadets had an opportunity to meet with the Chief Executive and Leadership Team, as well as learn about some of the different departments within Council.
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs is a movement of Mayors around Aotearoa who are working together towards the vision of all young people 16-25 engaged in employment, education, or training in their communities.
Click here to find out more
Click here to find out about the Coastal Kaitiaki cadets
Waikato Regional Council offers funding for biodiversity initiatives
Are you a landowner or community group doing animal or plant pest control for the benefit of our region’s biodiversity?
You may be eligible for a grant of up to $5,000 from the Small Scale Community Initiatives Fund. Applications for this opportunity are open until Friday 31 May.
What can be funded?
• Purchasing materials such as traps, bait, bait stations or herbicides used in pest animal or pest plant control.
• Professional contracted services up to $1,000 (e.g. the services of a qualified herbicide applicator or controlled substance licence holder).
• Applications close at 3pm on Friday, 31 May.
Nation-wide emergency alert test on Sunday 26 May
It's that time again: the nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system is happening on Sunday 26 May between 6-7pm.
Emergency Mobile Alerts are messages about emergencies sent by authorised emergency agencies to capable mobile phones. The alerts are designed to keep people safe and are broadcast to cell phones from targeted cell towers.
The alerts are targeted to areas affected by serious hazards and are only sent when there is a serious threat to life, health or property.
The nationwide test allows us to check the system, and lets you understand how your phone will receive an Emergency Mobile Alert; so, we all have confidence the system will perform as it should in an emergency.
We know there are often lots of questions about the system and how it works. Thankfully our friends at NEMA have a thorough FAQs page to provide the answers.
Click here to learn more
Twenty local businesses receive free mentorships
We’re delighted to announce the 20 winners of free business mentorships made possible by a collaboration between our Council, Business Mentors NZ, the Employers and Manufacturers Association and Business Associations.
The collaborative giveaway was run throughout April, with small businesses and organisations from across our district able to apply for a free mentorship, covering the cost of registration for the programme, usually $295 + GST.
Click here to view the winners
Tell us what matters most —Tukua tō reo kia rere
The Hauraki Opportunity is on a mission to listen deeply to you and your thoughts around what matters to you, your wellbeing, and the wellbeing of your whānau. The responses will help decision-makers at all levels to account for what is most important for communities across Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako. Simply answer two questions about what matters to you.
They will use the responses you share to develop a more in-depth survey that will be sent out later this year.
The Hauraki Opportunity is an initiative of the Waikato Wellbeing project with lead partner Te Tara o te Whai, supporting partners include Hauraki District Council, Matamata Piako District Council, and Thames-Coromandel District Council.
Take the two-minute survey
Find out more
What's on?
The Big Bike Film Night 2024, Thames
Don't miss out on this event showcasing a series of short bike films from around the world, packed with a mix of action, drama, and inspiration for bike enthusiasts.
Experience breathtaking adventures and hear stories of how biking can profoundly impact people's lives. Celebrate the joy of biking and get ready to be inspired.
Plus, there's an exciting opportunity to win a cycling holiday.
Click here to find out more
ChatGPT workshop for businesses
Our Economic Development team, in collaboration with Soda Inc, is hosting three Chat GPT workshops in June for interested businesses. Led by Mosaic Partners, these interactive sessions provide insights into ChatGPT's business applications, offer writing best practices, and feature real-world scenario exercises at a significantly reduced fee, thanks to co-funding from Soda Inc.
Workshops are scheduled for:
- Monday 17 June: 5–7pm, Whitianga.
- Tuesday 18 June: 9–11am, Whangamatā.
- Tuesday 18 June: 4:30–6:30pm, Thames.
The cost for attendees is $20 + GST per person.
The significantly reduced attendee fee is helped by co-funding from Soda Inc. who are the Waikato partners for the Regional Business Partner programme. They co-fund management capability training for business owners and key managers across a range of topics.
These Chat GPT/AI workshops are aimed at for-profit businesses, of fewer than 50 FTEs, who have a NZBN number. If you are a leader of an association, charity, or society and are interested in attending, please do still get in touch. Spaces are limited (maximum 20 attendees per workshop).
If you are interested in attending a workshop, please email: Jessica.Black@tcdc.govt.nz With the subject line: AI Workshop
Let us know what workshop you’d like to attend, and whether you are from a for-profit business or not-for-profit organisation. We’ll provide you with further details on how to access this limited opportunity.
Click here to read more
Youth Week (May 20 to 26)
Youth Week is a nationwide festival to celebrate local youth's talents, passion, and success. Locally, Thames Bluelight and Te Huarahi are proud to host a free/fun night at The Aviator Experience, along with a basketball competition. Additionally, a virtual community kōrero will be held. To cap off the week, there will be a mural reveal at the Thames High School pool (on Rolleston Street across from Jack McLean Community Recreation Centre).
See the full list of events
Roading update
Neavesville Road Slip Repairs: Work will begin Monday 20 May to repair slip damage at the 1.72km mark from the junction with SH26. The work is expected to be completed by Friday 7 June.
Work will take place Monday-Saturday 7am-7pm with traffic management in place including speed restrictions. Expect 15-minute delays during work hours.
Kennedy Bay Road slip repairs: Once the Neavesville Rd work is completed, the team will move to a site 7.36km from the end of Driving Creek Rd to repair slip damage.
The work is expected to begin on Monday 10 June and be finished by Friday 21 June. Work will take place Monday to Saturday, 7amto 7pm with traffic management in place including speed restrictions. Expect 15-minute delays during work hours.
Then, the crew will move to a site on Kennedy Bay Rd 5.84km from the end of Driving Creek Rd to repair slip damage there. We anticipate work beginning Monday 24 June and being completed by Monday 15 July, but this is dependent on progress at the other two sites. The schedule will be confirmed before work starts and we’ll put out updates as soon as we know. As at the other sites, work will take place Monday-Saturday 7am-7pm with traffic management in place including speed restrictions. Expect 15-minute delays during work hours. However, due to complexities at this site, additional delays may be required. We’ll update you on these before work starts.
Nicholls and Uttinger Civil Ltd have been awarded the contract for all three sites.
Visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/roads
The latest from Waka Kotahi NZTA
Overnight closures on SH25 at Hikuai bridge
State Highway 25, south of Tairua, will be closed overnight to all traffic for five nights between 8pm and 6am from Sunday 19 May.
This is to allow for essential maintenance and repairs to the single lane Hikuai Stream bridge, just south of Tairua.
Click here to read more
Opportunities at our Council
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, sick leave on commencement of employment and more.
Our current job vacancies are:
Click here for more information or to apply
Join the team at Thames Hospital
Thames Hospital are actively looking to recruit both experienced and new staff. Watch the video below to find out more about what it's like to work at Thames Hospital.
Working at Thames Hospital means making a difference in our community, while enjoying a healthy lifestyle: from sun and surf to the bush, fishing, hiking, and biking.
To find out more, get in touch with ThamesHospitalRecruit@waikatodhb.health.nz.
Find out more
View local vacancies
Event application for Whangamatā
Ollie Events Limited has applied for a restricted discretionary resource consent for a two-day outdoor youth festival/event to be held on 30 and 31 December, with alternative dates on either 1 and 2 January or 2 and 3 January, for up to 6,000 people at Aickin Road Sports Reserve in Whangamatā for a term of five years.
Submissions close today at 5pm (Friday 17 May 2024).
For more information on the application and how to make a submission, go to www.tcdc.govt.nz/publicnotices.
Adoptable dog of the week
Pup
Staffy x, About 10 months old, entire female. She loves pats, cuddles and lying in the sun. She is a very gentle dog, just starting to play. She needs a loving person to let her know that life can be good.
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.
Find out more
