Our wrap-up: Council to deliberate on draft Annual Plan, Tapu-Coroglen

Published on 14 April 2023

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Council to deliberate on draft Annual Plan

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Recently our Council asked for feedback on the proposed Annual Plan ‘Rebuild and Recover’ budget for the new financial year (1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024). The challenge ahead is to balance rates, while we rebuild and make our district more resilient to extreme weather and the effects of climate change. “A major focus is on repairing the extensive damage to our roading network to help keep our communities connected and accessible,” says our Mayor Len Salt.

We had over 180 submissions, on topics including storm recovery and how it has affected our budgets; deferring the Pollen Street Infrastructure replacement to help our businesses recover, our updated capital works and operational programmes, and Kerbside collection pricing options for our new rubbish wheelie bins and food waste bins.

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback. People will have the opportunity to speak about their submissions at the hearings on 26 April, and our Council will deliberate on submissions at its 17 May meeting. The 2023/24 Annual Plan is scheduled to be adopted on 27 June, and this will set the agenda for the projects and priorities of the coming financial year.

The latest from Mayor Len

WWU.png “We’re continuing to work our way through recovery since the extreme weather events earlier in the year.

Payments to successful applicants to the Business Recovery Grants Fund have now been made. The government allocated our district $3.8 million to distribute for the Waikato region and this has all been paid out. More than 90 per cent of the applications were from businesses within our district.

The fact that we had applications totaling $10.8 million for $3.8 million of central government support indicates the level of need in the region.

We received 528 applications, of which the Independent Advisory Panel approved 396. 132 applicants were unsuccessful and have been notified of alternative support options.

There is no doubt that many businesses have been deeply impacted by the adverse weather of January and February, and will continue to be impacted while SH25A is out of operation.

Transport and Coromandel Cyclone Recovery Minister Michael Wood has heard loud and clear from not just our Council but from business operators and members of the community that the need for government support has not ended, and in his visit here recently he committed to more support for businesses to get through until SH25A is restored.

As he is the Cyclone Recovery Minister for the Coromandel he will be visiting our district again soon, and we will continue to remind him of the ongoing economic impact we’re experiencing. 

We’ve taken a hit, but thankfully we escaped the severe damage and loss of life in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.

On our local roads, our contractors have made great progress, making routes safe and passable. And, see the good news below about a solution to reopen the Tapu-Coroglen Road soon.”

ANZAC parades and memorial services in our district

anzacicon-990000000003cf3c.png Our Mayor Len extends a warm welcome to the public to attend our district's ANZAC Parades and Memorial Services on Tuesday 25 April 2023, as we remember those who have served on our behalf.

  • All descendants of returned service personnel are welcome to participate in the parades.
  • Returned service personnel are asked to wear their medals and decorations.
  • Descendants of returned service personnel marching in the parades are asked to wear medals on the right upper portion of their apparel.

DETAILS HERE

What's on in the Coromandel?

321261842_519392080144512_4169583857316151632_n.jpg A group of passionate Kiwis, including some of New Zealand’s favourite former athletes, are taking part in a gruelling physical and mental challenge to raise awareness and money for youth mental health in New Zealand. Come and meet the team completing the triathlon from Cape Reinga to Parliament for Gumboot Friday in Whangamatā on Sunday 16 April, 4-5pm at Whangamatā New World or 6.30pm-8pm at Whangamatā Surf Club. A free community event for all ages.

Also, the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre on Mary Street will come alive this Sunday 16 April with music by Thames Musicians Club between 11am and 4pm. Drop in and enjoy some great music.

MORE EVENTS

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Updates across our local council roading network:

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  • Drainage clearing and jetting has been the focus across the network with key routes being completed.
  • Vegetation clearance nears completion across the network including removal of dangerous trees.
  • Slip removal and culvert clearing over Port Jackson Road has been completed.
  • The Tapu-Coroglen Road temporary route proposal has progressed (read more below).

Key steps required to complete the remedial works at our drop-out sites across the network:

  • Survey for each drop out site across the network will be completed early May. High priority sites have been completed.
  • Geotechnical site assessments, ground testing and option summaries continue.
  • Archaeological assessments for each drop out site have been completed identifying some areas that require further information.
  • Stretched testing resources have been booked.
  • Designs for some permanent reinstatement sites have begun.

Tapu-Coroglen Road

340986134_237599028787569_559754910027505690_n.jpg Our Council’s roading team is working towards a temporary alternative route for the Tapu-Coroglen Road that we estimate will be ready for use in June.

In the meantime, we’re working on a permanent repair to the road that we estimate will be complete in December.

Tapu-Coroglen Road has been closed to through traffic since a section of it collapsed into the river below during the recent cyclones. The closure point is approximately 10.2 km from the junction with SH25 at Tapu. Properties and businesses can be accessed on either side of the collapse, but people cannot travel past it as this area is still unstable and dangerous. Vandalism of the traffic management on site and the opening of an unauthorised route around the collapse has required our Council to place concrete barriers to close the road to ensure public safety.

The temporary route is being designed for use by light traffic only and requires some infrastructure works. This temporary route will be monitored daily to ensure the safety of road users, however any ground movement may cause the road to be closed. This route will be single-lane, have limited visibility and tight corners and require the creation of passing/waiting bays at either side to cater for the additional traffic on the route generated by the closure of SH25A. Design for this is ongoing, with the intention to undertake the works during May/June as weather allows. Improvements will also be made to drainage systems and road pavement to try to preserve the road over winter in a useable condition.

If these works can be done and the road reopened to light traffic there is still a risk of further collapse from the slip. The site will be monitored on a daily basis, and if any movement is noted the road will have to be closed again until permanent repairs can be made. While the permanent works are being undertaken we will try to keep the temporary route open, but this cannot be guaranteed.

A permanent repair is being designed with the intention of creating a retaining wall from the river below to the level of the road. Given the potential complexity of access to the site and the nature of the works involved in building the retaining wall, specialist contractors will be required. It will be impossible to build the wall during winter, so the current intention is that we will start works when weather allows in spring, and complete the new wall as soon as possible before Christmas.

We have already carried out geotechnical investigations to determine the cause of the fault. The site is located where two sections of harder material are separated vertically by a section of softer material. A spring line appears to have moved as a result of the cyclone rains that now discharges through the softer material at the base of the slip. This has destabilised the toe of the slip and caused the collapse. The spring line continues to run and it is likely that the slip will continue to move without notice, requiring the continued closure of the road.

Omara boat ramp, Matarangi

Omara.jpg Bollards have been installed along the footpath at Omara boat ramp for the safety of pedestrians. Some of the large logs from the felled trees during the storm clean-up have been placed around the perimeter as natural seats and also to act as vehicle barriers. This is to stop vehicles driving over the footpath and onto the beach.  We ask the public not to cut these logs for firewood please.

More work will be carried out in the coming weeks, including removing large tree root balls, so please be mindful of works if you are in the area.

Network resealing programme

No road sealing will take place for the remainder of this week.

The weekly programme starting Monday 17 April will be published on our website here and Facebook page here.

Are you local government material? Start your career at Council

325896691_3657465731156174_1912801332526301736_n-990000079e028a3c.jpg We're looking for people with ability and passion to create sustainable change in our community. As one of the largest employers in our district, we offer a diverse range of career opportunities.

Why choose Thames-Coromandel?

The Coromandel offers breath-taking scenery, golden beaches, and remarkable rainforests. Our district offers a peaceful, restorative atmosphere with plenty of opportunities for adventure.

Our district is only 90 minutes from the big cities: Auckland, Tauranga, and Hamilton. Close enough for a regular commute, but far enough for a complete change of pace. That sets our district apart.

Solid Waste Contract Manager/EngineerThis role works with our Solid Waste Contractor who provide kerbside collection services, as well as manage Council's seven Refuse Transfer Stations (RTS). You will oversee other key suppliers who assist with repair and maintenance of the RTS sites.

Utilities EngineerThis is a busy and varied role, and we are looking for someone who thrives working under pressure, has experience with budget management and strong contract management experience.

Communications Officer (Fixed Term)We have an opening for a communications specialist with strong writing and editing skills and experience planning and running public information campaigns that engage the right people and groups.

Learn more about the benefits of a career at Council here

Apply now for Commercial Operators Licences

CommercialConcessions1080x1080_20221.jpg We’re inviting applications for commercial licences for businesses to deliver activities on Council reserves – this is operations such as food trucks, coffee carts, kayak hire and the like.  

Applications close on Friday 21 April. 

For more information on how to apply click here.

Dogs looking for new homes

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We have two dogs available for adoption:

  1. 12-month old male pup (pictured left), neat, playful nature, but gentle as well.  
  2. An adorable brindle female (pictured right) around 2 years old, who has a quiet gentle temperament, extremely patient, loves a pat and affection.

Rubbish and recycling changes ahead

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MORE HERE

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