Let’s talk water, waste, rates and more
Published on 17 April 2025
Consultation starts for Local Water Done Well
The opportunity for people to have a say on how they think the Thames-Coromandel District’s future water networks should be managed has begun.
On Tuesday, consultation opened on Local Water Done Well (LWDW) for our district and will remain open until 15 May.
Local Water Done Well is a government reform to improve Aotearoa New Zealand’s water networks by changing how they are managed. Compliance is mandatory, meaning change is inevitable, but our communities have a chance to influence what that change looks like.
Our Council has shortlisted two options that will best serve our communities and is asking for feedback on which to choose.
- Option 1: Keeping these services in-house as a business unit and overseen by our Council
- Option 2: Working with other councils to set up a new water organisation.
It’s a big decision, and we want our communities to be part of it. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, which can be viewed on our website and in our Consultation Document.
People can also find out more information by attending our Community Catch-Up sessions which began this week. More sessions will be held in Thames and Coromandel Town on 28 and 30 May, respectively.
Council boss takes matters to the community
Our Council began the first of our Community Catch-Up sessions this week, with Chief Executive Aileen Lawrie chatting to locals on the streets of Whangamatā and Whitianga.
We have to decide on how best to manage future water services in a way that most serves our communities. Council is also considering a proposal to change the way we charge rates and whether to continue with a second kerbside collection during summer on the Eastern Seaboard. We are also ensuring people are enrolled for the 2025 Election so when the time comes in October people are ready and able to vote for who they want to represent them in Council.
All of these decisions impact our communities, so finding out what people think we should do is an important driver behind the sessions, which have the opportunity to give feedback.
Thames and Coromandel Town are next in line for these Community Catch-Ups from 10am to 2.30pm on April 28 and April 30.
People are encouraged to join the sessions and enjoy a cuppa with a cookie or two, and plenty of people have so far.
If you couldn’t make it to the sessions in Whangamatā, Whitianga or Tairua-Pāuanui this week, you can find plenty of information on our website.
For Local Water Done Well (LWDW), two online sessions will be held on 1 May with a chance for questions to be answered. The link to these sessions will be released in due course on our website and social media channels. Some of your elected members have also joined us at these sessions and may also be able to help.
Get involved in more Council decisions
What's on this Anzac Day?
Easter and Anzac rubbish & recycling
Due to the public holiday on Easter Monday most areas have their yellow week kerbside collections a day later.
The following areas have them two days later due to public holidays on both Easter Monday holiday and then Anzac Day on Friday. Tairua, Pāuanui, Thames Rural South and Thames & Surrounds yellow week collections take place on Saturday 26 April.
Check out your collection calendar here.
Our Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations are open 8.30am - 4.30pm.
They are closed on Good Friday 18 April and until 1pm on Anzac Day, Friday 25 April.
Check out details here.
Roading and repair updates
Road repairs on Port Jackson Rd
Our contractors MC Civil are carrying out repairs on Port Jackson Rd, from Monday 28 April. Work will start after Easter to avoid disrupting holiday traffic.
They are building a rock wall to help protect the road from further erosion. Work should be completed towards the end of June, weather permitting.
Due to the narrow road, rolling road closures will be in place during the day:
- Before 7am: OPEN
- 7am–12pm: CLOSED
- 12pm–1pm: OPEN
- 1pm–5pm: CLOSED
- After 5pm: OPEN
Retaining wall for Port Jackson Rd
From Monday 28 April, our contractors Nick Pemberton Construction are building a timber retaining wall with rock anchors to help protect the road from erosion.
Work will start after Easter to avoid disrupting holiday traffic, and should be completed by mid to late June, weather permitting.
To allow the project to be completed safely, rolling road closures will be in place:
- Before 7am – OPEN
- 7am–12.30pm – CLOSED
- 12.30pm–1.30pm – OPEN
- 1.30pm–5pm – CLOSED
- After 5pm – OPEN
Rock wall on Purangi Rd Cook's Beach
From Tuesday 22 April, our contractors Yakka Construction are building a rock wall at Purangi Rd, Cooks Beach, to protect the existing road and embankment from further erosion.
Traffic management will be on stop/go, with one lane open at all times. Fencing will be in place and pedestrians will need to move around it. Works should be completed by the end of June, weather allowing.
Vegetation removal and a survey prior to earthworks will be carried out next week, after Easter Weekend.
New Thames hill walk
Looking for a holiday activity? Try out Thames’ latest walking track. The Moana-Taiari Link Track starts at the end of Moana-Taiari Creek Road. It offers fantastic views of the town and Tīkapa Moana | The Firth from the summit 1km from the start. After 1.5 km it joins up with the Waiotahi Track providing an alternative starting point to Crosbies Hut.
Ka mau te wehi! Well done to Thames Environmental Alliance, volunteers and DOC rangers for getting this opened.
Commercial concessions
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 Thursday 24 April.
For more information on how to apply click here.
Find out more
Run our Visitor Information Centres
We’re looking for businesses or organisations to operate the Visitor Information Centres in Whangamatā, Tairua, Pāuanui and Coromandel Town from 1 July 2025.
Expressions Of Interests close 5pm, Friday 30 April 2025.
Contact Kirstin Scarrott at 07 868 0200 or kirstin.scarrott@tcdc.govt.nz.
Ngākau Carving Symposium
Join our team
Our current job vacancies are:
• Group Manager – Corporate Services
• Roading Engineer
• Team Leader Building Inspections
• Team Leader – Rates
• Procurement & Contracts Manager
• Senior/Building Control Officer Processing
