Community Board meetings, Business Awards open, weather updates
Published on 14 June 2024
Catch up on this round of Community Board Meetings
All five of our district's Community Boards met over the past two weeks. Click on the buttons below to read more about each of these meetings.
Whangamatā Community Board highlights
Whangamatā Community Board met on Tuesday 4 June.
At the public forum, a member of the public addressed Board members about the need to provide wider reporting on the Whangamatā Stormwater Project including feedback on stakeholder engagement. Our Council will consider options and report back on any changes at the next meeting.
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Received the report for the Capital Work Programme dated June 2024. It queried the Whangamatā Stormwater Project, asking to know more about changes made to the project design. Following recent meetings, our Council is making some changes and has updated the project information on our website Whangamatā Stormwater Project | TCDC.
Thames Community Board highlights
Thames Community Board met on Wednesday 5 June.
A group of young people from T-RAP (Thames Rangatahi Advisory Panel) spoke to the Board about their vision for young people in the Thames area and how they’d like to play a part in including young people’s perspectives in the provision of services. The young people gave speeches highlighting the need for more events and activities in town to reflect the diversity of the town’s youth and how they wanted to play a leadership role, including organising a Christmas in the Park event. Youth speakers highlighted the need for young and older decision-makers to work together in a spirit of kotahitanga | togetherness.
Board members reflected that Community Board and Council meetings are often intimidating spaces for young people, and they were committed to working together with T-RAP to find ways to make them more youth-friendly so that young people could contribute more easily.
Board Members thanked the young people for their inspiring presentation, with Board Chair Adrian Catran describing the interaction with potential leaders of Thames’ future as the best day in his life in local politics.
“You guys are amazing,” Mayor Len Salt told the group. “The voice that you can contribute to the decision-making around important things for the future of our district is abosolutely vital.”
Civic Centre Visitor Information Centre
The Board recommended to Council that it approve a new Deed of Lease with the Thames Business Association, starting on 1 July 2024, to occupy part of the Thames Civic Centre Building to use as the Visitor Information Centre. The initial recommended lease would last three years, with the right of renewal for two terms of three years. The Board also recommended to Council that it negotiate a new agreement with Age Concern Hauraki-Coromandel to continue to occupy the part of the building it currently sub-leases from Destination Hauraki Coromandel.
Board funding
The Board approved investment of $27,607 from its 2023/2024 Discretionary Budget for:
• $6,000 to Pārāwai School for advertising of youth programmes, initiatives and events for six months
• $9,107 to Thames Business Association for social media promotion of the Explore Thames brand, from July to December 2024
• $12,500 towards the cost of completing the half basketball court at Porritt Park: line-marking ($1,685) and fencing ($10,815).
Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board highlights
In its meeting on Monday 10 June, the Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board:
Renewal of the public facilities at Cory Wright Domain (by St Johns) is being funded by $155,000 from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund and $120,000 that has been transferred to this project from the Tairua Pāuanui Public Convenience Renewals budget. Staff have received the planning advice report, and an architect was engaged to do the concept design which has now been received by staff.
Coromandel-Colville Community Board highlights
The Coromandel-Colville Community Board met on Tuesday 11 June. At the public forum, the Chair of Little Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association asked the Board to support a request for our Council to set reduced speed limits to curb speeding around Tuateawa Rd and Little Bay.
The Board:
- Discussed the issue of reduced speed limits for Tuateawa Road in the vicinity of Little Bay, including the roads within Little Bay itself. Our Council’s Roading Manager raised potential risks involved for our Council, due to the uncertainty from central government around their new approach to traffic management. The Board supported a motion to request the Chief Executive to prepare a report for Council to consider a speed limit reduction for Tuateawa Road in the area of Little Bay, including the roads within Little Bay itself.
The Board approved a total of $14,800 from its discretionary funds to the community groups below:
- Spirit of Coromandel Trust Bike Park weed spraying - $5,000
- Colville School playground refurbishment - $4,900
- Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Harataunga playground refurbishment - $4,900
- The Board asked also that the Chief Executive prepare a report on the Buffalo Cemetery project with details of its scope, budget and cost considerations, and next steps.
Mercury Bay Community Board highlights
In its meeting on Wednesday 12 June, Mercury Bay Community Board recommended that Council approve that the Whitianga Information Centre Charitable Trust continue to run the Whitianga Visitor Information Centre for another three years, from 1 July. Funding to run the information centre is allocated through the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan, which is currently being independently audited and scheduled to be formally adopted by Council on 27 June. The trust’s expression of interest scored very highly on our rating system.
Two wastewater projects in Whitianga are due to be completed by the end of June, with both coming in under budget:
• The wastewater rising main from Wharekaho is being extended along SH25 to connect it to an existing manhole adjacent to Brophy’s Beach. Historically there have been multiple wastewater odour complaints on Stormont Lane. We identified that the issue is due to the existing wastewater line having dips and reverse backfalls affecting pipe flow hydraulics. This project is under budget by approximately $480,000 because anticipated geotechnical issues were avoided.
• Phase one of stormwater network improvements on Cook Drive are also due to be completed by the end of June, also under budget. Soakage trenches are being constructed along Cook Drive and Halligan Road and the pump station is being made more resilient to weather events. A new stormwater outfall to Buffalo Beach from the existing wetland is currently in the design phase as stage two of the project.
Meeting agendas and minutes are available here. Recordings for all meetings are on our YouTube channel.
Public Meeting on Thames Protection Options
Join us on Monday 24 June to discuss design concepts for protecting Thames from sea-level rise. The plan to protect, confirmed during the Shoreline Management Pathways project, aims to safeguard $1 billion in assets from flooding and storm surges.
A governance group led by Mayor Len Salt and including Council, Ngāti Maru, and Waikato Regional Council representatives, is prioritising this project. Our consultant, Royal HaskoningDHV, will present staged design options for protection against one-in-100-year storm events, which are becoming more frequent.
Public feedback is needed on:
- Design options for each foreshore section
- Potential alignments
- Integration with existing facilities and features
Funding for design work is in the 2023-2024 Long Term Plan. Construction funding will require targeted rates and central agency contributions, pending further feedback.
For more, email Karen.Moffatt-McLeod@tcdc.govt.nz
Thames Protection project page
Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards open
Applications are open for The Richardsons Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards. The awards are delivered biennially by Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel District Councils and supported by members of the business community.
The awards celebrate excellence and creativity in the business sector, offer an opportunity to gain recognition for your organisation and the chance to benchmark and gain expert advice on how your business can continue to prosper.
Award categories and application information are available here.
Mark your calendars for the gala evening on Wednesday 23 October at the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre, 200 Mary Street, Thames.
Find out more
Dog Registrations are now open
First time registration: Come in to one of our offices and one of our friendly team will help.
Renewal: You can do this all online including payment.
Don’t hesitate – you’ll need to register your dog before 1 August to avoid late payment penalties.
Find out more
RSVP now for your local Volunteer Week event
Next week is National Volunteer week, so make sure to RSVP to your local event at least two days before the event is due to take place.
RSVP to isla.anderson@tcdc.govt.nz
Find out more about your local event
Practice makes perfect with Rū Whenua
On Wednesday our Council’s Emergency Management Team ‘set up’ an Operations Centre in Thames as part of the national exercise programme ‘Rū Whenua'.
The exercise simulates a severe earthquake in the South Island, which in turn impacts the entire country, and provides the opportunity for national, regional, and local emergency organisations to work collectively on the response.
“Any training opportunity like this is valuable, we always take learnings and issues to solve from them in order to be better prepared, if and when the real one does happen in the future,” says our Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler.
Find out more about Rū Whenua
Environmental Initiatives Fund (EIF) opens soon for 2024
The Environmental Initiatives Fund (EIF) opens soon for applications, offering up to $40,000 for projects that enhance the environment or provide environmental education. Managed by the Waikato Regional Council, this fund supports initiatives that protect and restore biodiversity.
Applications open Monday 24 June 2024 at 9am and close on Friday 19 July 2024 at 3pm.
Eligible applicants include community groups, iwi/hapū, kaitiaki groups, incorporated societies, community trusts, and more. Successful projects may receive funding for up to two years, with a maximum grant of $40,000.
For application details and updates, subscribe to the mailing list by emailing eif@waikatoregion.govt.nz with the subject 'subscribe.'
More information on the EIF
Access Generosity NZ through Thames-Coromandel District Libraries
Our Council supports the community in their funding journey through Generosity NZ. Generosity NZ is the largest digital search platform for funding information in Aotearoa with access to scholarships, grants and awards for individuals and businesses, schools, community groups and clubs. It helps connect donors with causes they care about and makes it easy to donate money or time. Generosity NZ makes a positive difference in society by supporting those in need and bringing people together to make a difference.
To sign up for the first time, users will need a Thames-Coromandel District Library membership number. You will then be asked to set up an account with Generosity NZ. With digital-only library memberships, users can access Generosity NZ online from anywhere through their website.
Click here to sign up
Generosity NZ website
A reminder that the Coromandel-Thames Connector trial will be ending next week
The Connector service will wrap up next week on Tuesday 18 June. Since it started on December 18, 2023, over 1,060 people have used this service, with many finding it useful due to the high costs of driving and vehicle ownership. The Connector service was funded by a Central Government storm recovery grant, aiming to provide access to healthcare, education, jobs, appointments, and maintain whānau connections.
With no further funding available for our Council to continue the trial past 18 June, the Connector service will be wrapping up. Our Council will share the data from the trial with Waikato Regional Council, who are responsible for the long-term planning, management and provision of public transport in our region.
Find out more
Waikato Regional Council weed swap initiative
For more information on pest plants
Water meter charging to start for Whitianga
Water meters have now been installed on almost all properties in Whitianga. From 1 July, Whitianga property-owners will have two water charges instead of the current one.
The set charge that property owners currently pay for water supply will drop by almost 50 per cent. In addition, after 1 July property owners will be charged for water depending on the volume that they use as measured by their meters.
Please note, we still have some properties which do not yet have water meters installed. In the meantime, these properties will continue to be charged the full 'water serviced' set charge ($803.90 in the 2023/24 year, due to rise slightly from 1 July).
Find out more about water rates
Stay cool driving through road work sites
We’ve heard of some aggro behaviour from drivers waiting at road work sites, including SH25 Thames Coast Road at Ruamahunga Bay. Please consider that traffic will be stopped from time to time to allow crucial work to take place to restore the road to full use.
A massive tree that fell on the road on Monday has been removed. It weighed more than 20 tonnes. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is reviewing the slope at the site.
NZTA says the main recovery work site nearby was anticipated to open to two lanes by the end of June and this has not been impacted by the new slip. Traffic management (mainly stop/go) has been extended to cover both sites, as they’re within 500 metres of each other. Different teams have been working on both jobs.
Once work at both sites is completed, the road through this area, which has operated as a single lane since October 2023, will be restored to two lanes. This is expected to be within the next two weeks, but extended poor weather may impact this. Further temporary lane closures may be needed from time to time to accommodate additional works in this area.
Get NZTA roading updates
Get TCDC roading updates
NIWA Climate winter outlook June - August 2024
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) has released its Winter forecast. It seems that frosty mornings and wet weather are on the cards this Winter.
For the Waikato and Coromandel:
• Temperatures are about equally likely to be above average (45% chance) or near average (40% chance).
• An increased prevalence of high-pressure systems will likely cause cool, occasionally frosty mornings but warmer afternoons, particularly from the second half of June.
• Rainfall totals are about equally likely to be below normal (40% chance) or near normal (35% chance). June has an elevated chance of being drier than normal and rainfall events will likely occur irregularly through the season.
• Soil moisture levels are equally likely to be near normal or below normal while river flows are most likely to be below normal.
Click here to find out 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:
• Chief Financial Officer
• Systems and Technical Accountant
• Communications Officer
• Property & Facilities Manager
If you're interested in working for us, and there are currently no vacancies that fit your skillset and knowledge, please complete the expression of interest application via the link below.
Click here for more information or to apply
National Predator Control Programme – Papakai Econological Area
EcoFX has been contracted by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to undertake an aerial 1080 operation in Papakai. Check DOC's website for a map of the area.
The operation is being undertaken as part of a larger nationwide aerial predator control programme. Its purpose is to protect at risk native species from rats, stoats, weasels and possums.
At risk species in Papakai include Coromandel brown kiwi, Archey’s frog, and Coromandel striped gecko. It is also an important conservation area for kākā, kererū and ruru/morepork, as well as a variety of rare and unique plants.
The programme is intended to be undertaken from Monday 1 July 2024. Phases for the programme are as follows:
• Non-toxic prefeed cereal baits will be sown over the treatment blocks at a rate of 1.5kg per ha. Prefeed baits are approximately 2cm long, cylindrical and undyed, (sandy coloured).
• Toxic cereal baits containing 0.15% sodium fluoroacetate (1080), will be sown over the treatment area at a rate of 1.5kg per ha, no sooner than 5 days following application of non-toxic baits. Toxic baits are approximately 2 cm long, cylindrical, and dyed green.
Both phases are weather dependant.
EcoFX is obtaining the requisite consents under the Environmental Protection Agency requirements from relevant Public Health Units.
As part of public notification, EcoFX will be placing advertisements in local and regional papers circulating in the wider area to inform the public of the operation and the risks. They will be erecting signage at key points such as track entrances and public access areas.
Observe the following while the warning signs remain in place:
1. Do not touch poison bait.
2. Watch children at all times.
3. Do not eat animals from this area or within the buffer zone outside the treatment boundary. The standard buffer zone is 2km for deer and pigs, 200m for rabbits, and 1km for possums.
4. Poison bait or carcasses are deadly to dogs.
You can find further information about 1080, including the safety data sheet on their website
If you require further information, you can email the team at admin@ecofx.co.nz, or contact the EcoFX office on (07) 873 8130
Adoptable dog of the week
Looking for a loyal companion? Look no further than Scott the dog. Meet Scott, a one-year-old entire male Staffy mix. He's a sweet dog just looking for a calm environment to relax, gain trust, and feel safe in. He is waiting for a kind loving owner to show him how beautiful the world is.
