Our Council’s first meeting, long weekend services and more
Published on 27 January 2023
Weather and roading updates
Our Council’s Emergency Management, Roading and other infrastructure teams are on hand monitoring and responding to the severe weather warning issued by the MetService for Friday morning until 12noon Saturday 28 January to ensure our communities stay safe and connected.
You can read our latest update here.
The MetService advises us to expect 120 to 160 mm of rain about the ranges, with 70 to 100 mm nearer the coast. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, especially about the ranges, however, rates of 25 to 35 mm/h are possible in thunderstorms. Once the heavy rain eases, showers are expected through the rest of the weekend.
Motorists travelling around the district are being warned to take extreme care. We will keep you informed on our website - tcdc.govt.nz/roads and on our Facebook page of any local road closures. For State Highways under Waka Kotahi/NZTA's control, keep an eye on their website here.
Our services over the long weekends
A reminder to our residents and visitors that some of our services may change over public holiday weekends - in particular, additional rules around dogs and alcohol, and the closure of our Council offices and libraries on the Monday public holidays.
Our summer kerbside collection schedule continues on Monday. If any changes are necessary due to weather-related disruptions, we will let you know on our Facebook page and our website.
Check the handy graphic below, and for a round-up of everything you need to know, visit tcdc.govt.nz/summerinfo.
What's on?
Due to the weather, there are a number of cancellation and postponement of events in the Coromandel this long weekend. We will be sharing information from the event organisers on our Facebook page here.
Destination Coromandel, our tourism partner, have some great ideas for days with a few showers or drizzle, or for an indoor kind of a day. Check out their website thecoromandel.com.
You can find out more about upcoming events for Waitangi weekend here.
A busy agenda for our Council’s first meeting
Our Council’s first meeting of the year took place on Thursday 26 January, with discussions ranging from the draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, to supporting an out of cycle funding request for the storm event of 11 November 2022.
Our Council received the draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan and appended Waste Assessment. Councillors discussed the importance of involving community groups and creating an aspirational culture that could move from recycling to not creating a waste stream. The proposal to consult on the draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan with the public and local iwi from 3 February to 3 March 2023 was adopted, along with a vision statement - Our Coromandel Communities - taking action towards a circular economy and sustainable future. You can read the cover report here.
Our Council also discussed our draft submission on the Natural and Built Environment Bill and the Spatial Planning Bill, which were introduced by the Government on 15 November 2022. These Bills underpin the Government's overhaul of the current resource management system established under the Resource Management Act. The submission period on the two Bills closes on 5 February 2023.
Our Council adopted the resolution to lodge its draft submission on the Natural and Built Environment Bill and the Spatial Planning Bill, and discussed some changes. A resolution was passed giving the Mayor and Chief Executive authority to approve amendments before lodging the submission with Parliament, and to approve our Council's representative(s) to appear before the Environment Select Committee in support of the submission. You can read the comprehensive report here.
An out of cycle funding request was also made for last year’s storm event of 11 November 2022. Out of two options - the first one to cover only minimum costs - our Council endorsed Option Two, to fund the initial response and to return our network to the existing level of service at an estimated cost of $1,508,000. Our Council’s share of repair costs totals $57,420 Operational and $379,900 Capital, combined with subsidies from Waka Kotahi/NZTA.
You can download the agenda and meeting packet here and watch the recording on YouTube here.
Community networking sessions
Tairua-Pāuanui, Whangamatā and Thames elected members met for their first community networking sessions this week. As well as looking at what’s contained within the Community Plans, these informal networking sessions are an opportunity for Community Board members to find out more about the needs and aspirations of their local groups and build stronger community connections.
Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board and Whangamatā Community Board held their networking meetings on 23 and 24 January, with informative discussions taking place around local issues with ratepayer associations and some local community groups. There was a focus on ways to engage with our Council and elected members. Some of the matters raised were: rating and the Long-Term Plan 2021-2031, the footpath on SH25 on the north end of Tairua, protecting natural environments, CCTV cameras and a proposal for a town square adjacent to the Information Centre in Whangamatā.
At its networking meeting on 25 February Thames Community Board members decided to organise ‘meet the people’ sessions at Thames Market in Grahamstown on Saturday mornings. Two Board members will be present at the market mid-morning every second week to offer people the chance for face-to-face discussions. The idea behind it is to listen to community views, chat informally about what our Council is doing and to signpost people to where to go for information about Council’s work.
Upcoming Meetings
Our Community Boards will hold their first meetings for the year over the next fortnight. See our meetings page for further details and the agenda and minutes closer to the time. You can also check out our YouTube Channel to watch recordings of all our meetings.
Please note: The Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board meeting will be held on Monday 13 February at 10am at St Francis House, 248 Main Rd North, Tairua, not at the Whangamatā Office as incorrectly stated in Our Coromandel advert published in the recent editions of the Tairua Local Advertiser and Pāuanui Post. We apologise for the confusion and appreciate readers bringing this to our attention.
The latest with Mayor Len
Amidst a busy few weeks with the first full Council meeting for the year and responding to media interviews about the impact of the bad weather, Mayor Len took time to attend Creative Coromandel’s first Arts Mix & Mingle for 2023 at the Tairua Golf Club.
More than 50 artists, arts organisations, arts groups, enthusiasts and creatives from Whitianga, Tairua, Whangamatā and Thames areas attended.
The review of the Coromandel Arts & Creative Industries Strategy was discussed. You can find out more and provide your input for the review by completing the survey here before mid-February.
Pictured left, Mayor Len Salt with Whangamatā Arts Collective Chairman Graeme Smith.
Taipari Park skate park removal
The skate park facilities are being removed from Taipari Park starting from 20 March 2023 due to a long-standing commitment to return the sacred burial ground it’s built on to local iwi.
Skaters are advised to use the popular Thames Powerco Skate Park in Porritt Park which was built to replace and upgrade the facilities at Taipari Skate Park. Young skaters were involved in the design process.
If you have a younger child who uses the old skatepark and would like to discuss their needs further, please contact our Customer Services Team on customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz or phone 07 868 0200.
Find out more here.
Boaties beware Caulerpa seaweed
If you're heading out on the water over the upcoming long weekends, help play your part to keep this fast-growing seaweed from smothering our native species and habitats.
This seaweed – exotic Caulerpa - has been found at Great Barrier Island and Great Mercury Island, and anchoring and fishing restrictions are in place.
Here’s how you can help stop the spread:
- If you're on the water and you see weed on your gear, chuck it straight back.
- If you find something on your gear later when you’re in a new location, don’t put it in the sea. Put it in a plastic bag or bucket and put it in the rubbish back on land.
- If you’re on a boat and pull up anchor, check and remove any seaweed from the anchor or chain.
To find out more, click here.
Boat ramps payment
Boaties, don't forget there’s now a smarter way to pay for launching and trailer parking at ramps where fees apply.
Simply scan the QR code with your smartphone, camera or Google Lens and follow the easy prompts to pay – right at the ramp.
Work with us
Are you ready to change your scene? Our Council is hiring now and we have opportunities for engineers, planners, administrators and more.
Flexible working, fantastic culture and great lifestyle.
Check out our latest job vacancies here.