SMP project scoops another award, Porritt Park update, and more news

Published on 24 November 2023

Another win for our Council's Shoreline Management Pathways Project

Last night, our Shoreline Management Pathways (SMP) project won the prestigious Terry Healy Project Award at the New Zealand Coastal Society (NZCS) conference in Wellington. This was jointly awarded to our project partner, Royal Haskoning DHV, and our Council.

The Terry Healy Coastal Project Award is for projects which have made a 'significant contribution to New Zealand's coastal and marine environment'.

The award recognises 'overall commitment to excellence working within the coastal zone and promoting the vision and values of NZCS:

"Sustainable management of New Zealand's coastal and marine environment underpinned by sound science, engineering and policy practice, comprehensive monitoring, involved communities and effective national networks."

The award also aims to increase community awareness of the importance of the coastal zone and to encourage practitioners to strive for excellence.

Previously, at the most recent Taituarā local government excellence awards, the SMP project received the GHD Award for Environmental Leadership.

The project involved over three years of comprehensive work to understand the risks to our coastline and communities from the effects of sea-level rise.

The SMP project set out 138 adaptation pathways specific to the aspirations and concerns of each of our communities, and the principles of kaitiakitanga. Trigger points to take a certain pathway given certain levels of sea level rise are identified. The SMP project web page contains interactive maps showing the adaptation pathways and trigger points.

Congratulations to our SMP project team, who are also presenting about coastal adaptation at the Local Government Taituarā national conference in Hastings today.

Supporting Thames’ Porritt Park upgrade

Help bring to life the imaginative vision for Thames' Porritt Park playground. Fundraising is taking place to help make Porritt Park become a playground that draws visitors from far and wide. There'll be enhanced disability facilities as well an exciting centrepiece of a lighthouse and boat to play on. Work on the playground is scheduled to start after the summer school holidays.

The project has been made possible by a generous donation from a philanthropic couple. Community fundraising towards a target of $500,000 is still underway.

To contribute, please email porrittparkproject@gmail.com or pop into our Council's Thames office and put a donation in the jar on the reception counter. Or keep your eye out for donation jars in shops around town.

The latest on our Road to Recovery

Our latest Road to Recovery update includes:

• Applications open for three new cadet roles at our Council
• The latest roading updates
• Share to Prepare – information on the inquiry into the North Island weather event response
• Coromandel Independent Living Trust offers a new Transport Assistance Scheme

Join our team

We have an exciting range of opportunities currently being advertised: 

• Senior Geospatial Application Specialist
• Water Services Operations Lead
• Strategic & District Planning Team Leader
• Corporate Policy Team Leader
• Senior Resource Consent Planner
• Community Development Manager
• Customer Services Rep (Thames office) Fixed Term
• Coastal Kaitiaki Cadet x 2 (Fixed Term)
• Administration Cadet (Fixed Term) 

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. 

Cabinet art coming to your neighbourhood 

Some streets in our district are about to get a whole lot brighter as seven local artists paint their creative designs on selected Chorus cabinets.  

Mayor Len Salt says the Chorus Cabinet Art Programme supports artists to showcase their talents. 

“We have so many high-quality artists in the Coromandel, it’s great for them to have this opportunity to display their work. I’m really impressed with the designs we received and we’re looking forward to partnering with Chorus on their Cabinet Art Programme.”    

Some of this year’s designs include beautiful beach landscapes, a mermaid sitting on the rocks at the end of Lonely Bay, and stunning artwork of Coromandel scenery.  

Chorus is pleased that the partnership with our Council is under way and Community Relations Manager Jo Seddon says the collaboration "helps us work with more local artists and bring their creativity to life."

“We’re hoping that this is just the beginning.” 

Artists will be out painting their murals over the coming months, so keep an eye out for them. 

Artists:
• Emma Gustafson: Coromandel Nature (pictured)
• Brigita Botma: Coromandel Beach at Dawn
• Sarah Nicolson: Mermaid at Lonely Bay
• Joel Nicholas: A Walk Amongst the Kōwhai
• Saskia Lee: Thames Coast
• Rebecca Coggins: Bush and River Scene with Eels
• Alesha Davies-Blackburn: Whangamatā Beach

Destination Hauraki Coromandel launches travel app

Destination Hauraki Coromandel have launched the first-ever travel app for Hauraki Coromandel. It is designed to help locals and visitors enjoy all the things they love about our region.

The app updates in real-time so users know that the information on road status, tide times and weather forecasts is current and all in one place. This makes travel and holiday adventures very easy to plan and enjoy.

The app serves as a 'digital concierge', introducing attractions and activities, accommodation and dining near to the user or along the way, with map details.

Whether you want to uncover hidden gems, get off the beaten track, walk trails, ride bikes or explore well-known places, this is the insider's guide. With it, users can relax and immerse themselves fully in our region's natural beauty and cultural richness. The app also has information on handy things like rubbish collection, boat ramps and permits.

Fishers and divers encouraged to share sightings with DOC

Spinetail devil ray. Image: Julien Renoult 

The Department of Conservation is encouraging fishers, divers and boaties to be citizen scientists and share protected species sightings this summer.

Clinton Duffy, DOC Marine Technical Advisor, says recreational fishers and others out on the water can make a significant contribution to research through reporting sightings and accidental catches.

“I’m very interested in what the public has seen – and usually they’re keen to identify an unusual creature too. All photos, videos and reports help build a better understanding of our rare and protected fishes, including rays, and sharks.

“We encourage people to take a few photos, full length shots and also of any defining features like fins, jaws and teeth, and details of the colour pattern. The exact location the fish was spotted or caught is useful too”, says Clinton.

Certain fish species are protected because they are naturally uncommon and therefore at greater risk of extinction than other fish. There are nine fish species that are protected in New Zealand; five sharks, two rays, and two grouper.

While fishers are not allowed to target these species, it’s not illegal to accidentally catch a protected fish. If you do catch one, you must release it as quickly as possible and take care not to cause it further harm, and you must report the capture to DOC. If the fish dies or is found dead, DOC may request you bring it back to shore and provide it to DOC so samples can be taken.

DOC has a set of protected species identification guides on its website to help identify sea life, plus a protected species handling guide to assist recreational fishers to safely release marine life back to the water.

The public can report sightings, captures and strandings to DOC:

• anonymously via the Protected Species Catch App
• by emailing sharks@doc.govt.nz
• by calling 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Explore scholarship opportunities with your library card

With the end of the school year approaching, a reminder that our libraries offer access to Generosity NZ – a nation-wide database of scholarships and grants to support students.

There are plenty of opportunities, no matter what subject or course has been chosen.

Adoptable dogs

We have some beautiful dogs up for adoption, including:

Roxy

Roxy is a very gentle, placid, well-natured dog.

She loves to cuddle just as much as she loves to play.

She has come from a family environment and loves pats and attention.

If you're interested in knowing more about Roxy, please contact our Council on 07 868 0200.

Thor

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. 

Isabella (husky) 
Isabella is a good-natured, very friendly, and energetic dog. Would suit an active and outdoorsy home. Well-mannered and has basic commands.

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.

Your dog’s mess is your responsibility

Our district rules state you must pick up after your dog. It's to keep our district clean and hygienic.

You can find poo bag dispensers in many of our most-used dog walking areas, but it is always best to take a few with you just in case.

• Remember to always pick up after your pooch.
• Always carry a waste bag, just in case.

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