Latest News & Public Notices

Caring for our coast

Photo from left to right: Stacey Hill Coastcare Waikato, Lou Mackwell TCDC Community Field Representative, Moniqua Nelson-Tunley Waikato Regional Council, Derek Thompson TCDC Community Facilities Manager, Matthew Allnutt TCDC Community Field Representative, Jamie Boyle TCDC Coastal Scientist, Tanya Patrick TCDC Community Field Representative and Andrea Whitehead TCDC Coastal Restoration Coordinator.

Sand dunes are an important buffer between the ocean and land, and they’re also natural habitats for native species of birds such as the dotterel. 

You can help look after our coastline by getting involved with an upcoming dune planting day near you (click here to see the schedule), or join one of the many local volunteer groups.

Someone who is passionate about this is Andrea Whitehead, who has called Whitianga home for 15 years. She’d been volunteering at planting days for many years before joining our Council this year and fulfilling her dream job as a Coastal Restoration Coordinator, (aka “dune builder”). 

“The best part of my job is working with proactive, passionate volunteers,” says Andrea. “They’re the crucial part of our Coromandel coastal restoration, but we can always do with more help” 

The Pāuanui dune planting project, completed in May 2022, is Andrea’s most rewarding experience since joining our Council. “It was amazing how many people showed up and were keen to learn about our coastal restoration (the Coastcare movement), and the importance of creating, maintaining, and enhancing a resilient dune system,” she says.  

“Planting is important, but it’s only the beginning - there is much more involved. And I can promise you, spending time with likeminded people in nature is good for your soul.” 

If you want to get involved and make some new friends, please contact Andrea: andrea.whitehead@tcdc.govt.nz.

Andrea’s top tips: 

• Look out for the Coastcare signs, (like those shown left insert image), reminding people to use marked access ways to get to the beach to help protect our sand dunes.  
• Encourage children to respect the dunes and not play on them.  
• Do not light fires on the dunes.  
• Do not dump personal or household rubbish or green waste in the dunes. Do not leave rubbish on the beach, full stop.  
• Respect the fences, which provide boundaries to help protect dune plants.  
• Keep vehicles off the dunes. Important plants and creatures live in the dunes and motorbikes, 4WD vehicles and quad bikes harm them.  
• Surf the waves, not the dunes: Sandboarding on the dunes destroys plants and loosens the sand, which allows wind erosion to occur.  

The Coromandel Coastcare movement is a really good cause. We’re looking for a Coastal Restoration Coordinator for our Eastern Seaboard. If this unique opportunity sounds like you, please register your interest.

Vandalism continues to disappoint

Our Council is sorry to report that once again vandalism has taken place in Whitianga over the long weekend, with broken signs and parks and reserves ripped up by cars.

This on-going willful damage impacts the whole community and comes at a cost to ratepayers.

If you notice any further damage across the district, please contact us. Or call 105 if you have any information to prevent this continuing. 

 

Elections

The candidate information handbook for the 2022 local government elections is now available to download here.

People interested in standing for election are invited to attend a candidate information briefing to hear about the electoral process (the do’s and don’ts), responsibilities and expectations if elected and to meet our electoral officers.

Saturday, 9 July

• Whangamatā Council Office, 620 Port Road at 10:00am - 12:00 noon.
• Tairua St Francis House, 248 Main Road at 1:30pm - 3:30pm
• Whitianga Mercury Bay Council Office (rear of building), 10 Monk Street at 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Sunday 10 July

• Coromandel Town Council Office, 355 Kapanga Road at 10:00am - 12:00 noon
• Thames War Memorial Civic Centre, 200 Mary Street at 2:00pm - 4:00pm.
• Registration to attend is not required. For further information, contact Esther Smith, Committee Advisor on 07 868 0200.

For more information see tcdc.govt.nz/election.

Shoreline Management Plan public meetings begin next week

The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) project team is preparing for another round of public meetings to finalise adaptation plans for sea level rise in our coastal communities. 

The meetings kick-off from next Friday, 17 June. The SMPs will set the sea level rise thresholds that will trigger action for each area, in agreement with affected communities.

To find out more visit tcdc.govt.nz/smp.

The dog registration fee for the 2022/23 financial year is $85 for all dogs except guide dogs and dangerous dogs. Special rebates also apply to working dogs registered in groups larger than three.  

The tag’s colour for the year is green, and this is your green light to get online or into a Council office to register your dog. You can find more information on how to update your information, renew dog registration, or register a new dog at tcdc.govt.nz/dogregistration.  

Our condolences to any owners who may receive a renewal letter if their pet has recently passed away. You can let us know by giving us a call on 07 868 0200 or emailing us at customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz. 

For more information on dog registration and fees see: tcdc.govt.nz/dogregistration  

News on our Economic Development 

This quarter's Economic Development newsletter is all about celebrating our locals.

From outstanding wins for local businesses and community members, to specialised workshops in our backyard, and heaps more. 

Read more here.

Congratulations to all of this year's Queen's Birthday Honours recipients