I’ve been around the district this week meeting people and checking on things. I heard this week that our Council roading teams as well as Waka Kotahi’s on the state highways are dealing with more than 120 slip repairs. Usually at this time of year there’d be about 5-10.
Our contractors who have been involved in road repairs, fixes to parks and beach accessways, and solid waste collections severely disrupted by road damage have been working relentlessly on the storm clean-up and recovery to support our communities.
I spent time on Wednesday and Thursday to thank them and hear their stories. They’ve been doing an outstanding job and continue to do so.
Thanks to Smitty’s Sports Bar and Grill in Whitianga and the GBD in Thames for hosting us.
The latest visitor spending data are out now and not surprisingly they’re pretty dire. Our Regional Tourism Organisation, Destination Hauraki Coromandel, is working on marketing campaigns to encourage people to visit the Coromandel for Easter and beyond. Our district will be promoted to Auckland and the wider New Zealand market.
There are a couple of major events coming up to look forward, which will provide a bit of a shot in the arm to local businesses. Repco Beach Hop is Wednesday 22 March to Sunday 26 March and features a Power Cruise around the Coromandel Loop, stopping off in all our town centres. This weekend is the Kubota Billfish Competition, which is bringing about 1,000 anglers and 265 boats to Whitianga.
MetService has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the Coromandel as several fronts move up from the south.
There is a moderate risk of thunderstorms for the Coromandel from this afternoon, through to 5am Saturday morning with localised heavy downpours of 25mm to 40mm per hour possible.
Business Recovery Grant fund
In the first week of the Cyclone Gabrielle Business Recovery Grant fund opening, we’ve received nearly 300 applications from businesses.
Staff are currently processing these applications, with the first week’s tranche going before an independent business panel next week. Applications for the fund are open until the end of the month.
Our Council is administering a $1.4 million fund as part of the central government funding of an initial $25 million in recovery support to businesses in seven North Island regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. On Wednesday the Government announced a further $25 million nationally, which was welcomed by Mayor Len Salt as a much-needed boost.
Our Council held drop-in sessions throughout the district this week to support businesses to apply to the fund.
Businesses hit hard in February
Figures showing a 39.9 per cent decline in visitor spend in the Coromandel for the month of February, compared to the same time last year, gives us real evidence of how hard the weather has impacted our local businesses, according to our Mayor Len Salt.
The bad weather meant the Coromandel didn’t even make New Zealand’s top ten visitor destinations for the month of February, which is unprecedented. February is normally one of the months where we experience highest spend, largely due to visitor spend.
“While we are processing applications to our Business Assistance Fund, we know the need will be ongoing financial assistance to some sectors as we move into the winter season, which is when our visitor numbers historically decline,” says Mayor Len.
Businesses on our Council reserves
We’re inviting applications for commercial licences for businesses to deliver activites on Council reserves – this is operations such as food trucks, coffee carts, kayak hire and the like.
We manage commercial operations on our reserves to ensure the activities are well operated, safe and add to the community and visitor experience on our reserves – especially our seaside ‘crown jewels’.
We’re taking applications from today until 21 April. Fill in the application form on our website or ask for one at a Council service centre.
The application process has been changed after a comprehensive review with existing licence holders. We’ve cut the red tape and reduced the time it takes to apply for, and to process, a licence.
Our new weighted tender system will also provide long-term security for businesses while also allowing flexibility for start-ups.
There are now four categories of licence – single site, multiple site, transitory and start-up. All license types can be applied for in one application – you no longer need an application for each site if you are applying for multiple sites.
tcdc.govt.nz/commercialconcessions
Coromandel Open for Business
Our tourism promotion agency Destination Hauraki-Coromandel continues to promote the region as open for business while advocating widely for greater support for businesses, marketing and roads. The job of restoring visitor confidence in the region as a holiday destination is an ongoing one.
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The ‘Welcome to our World’ marketing campaign content has had 2 million views so far.
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The international travel trade season is starting so international operators’ support for the ‘open for business’ message and to make bookings is being enlisted.
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Requests are regularly being made to update Google Maps; updated SH25 maps are shared widely.
For Destination Hauraki-Coromandel’s most recent Zoom recap on the visitor industry, please email hadley@thecoromandel.com.
Award for Pāuanui Dune project
The Coastal Restoration Award for 2023 was awarded to our Council and the Pāuanui Dune Protection Society “for the outstanding coastal restoration project”.
It’s a great result for a project that involved months of hard work, including building active community support, and eventually restoring dunes that responded well and as expected during recent cyclone events.
Funding available for local arts groups and projects
If you are part of a local arts group or creative project within the Coromandel, you could qualify for a helping hand with funding from the Creative Communities Scheme. Nearly $18,000 is available in this funding round for projects and activities that will take place between 1 May 2023 and 1 May 2024.
Applications close at 5pm, Friday 7 April 2023.
See tcdc.govt.nz/ccs for more information.
Works update
Kōpū Marine and Business Precinct
Major work is being completed on the new marine and business facility at Kōpū, with the earthworks and roading almost finished. Steel poles totalling nearly 320 tonnes were brought down from Auckland by barge to support the wharf construction. The base for the commercial car park area has been built. The marine contractors have now moved onto the site to start work on the commercial wharf.
Find out more at tcdc.govt.nz/kopu
Matarangi tree clear-up
Work is progressing with clearing storm-damaged trees in Matarangi, prioritising urgent health and safety concerns first. The removal of fallen trees on our Council’s reserves and public berms is well underway and should be finished soon.
Additional clearance of trees that may impact the roading corridor will be undertaken soon between Matarangi entranceway and the shopping area.
Road resurfacing programme
Programmed road resurfacing for Monday 20 March - Saturday 25 March.
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Programmed Date
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Area
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Site name
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20/03/2023
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Hahei
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Purangi Rd
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21/03/2023
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Hahei
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Link Rd
Hahei Rd
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22/03/2023
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Whitianga
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Takingawairua Rd
The 309 Rd
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23/03/2023
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Whitianga
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Meadow Dr
Poplar St
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24/03/2023
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Coromandel Town
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Kennedy Bay Rd
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25/03/2023
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Coromandel Town
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Captain Amodeo Rd
Waikawau Beach Rd
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Moanataiari Sea Wall public information meeting
Library scholarship
Winning the Helen Zwartz Scholarship provided an opportunity for Thames librarian Nicole Thornburn to undertake a residency at The National Library Te Puna Mātaturanga o Aotearoa in Wellington recently.
She reports on her residency experience learning about national library services and gaining new skills and ideas to bring back to Thames-Coromandel.
Read more about this here.
New boxing club venue
After many months searching for new premises, Never Surrender Boxing Health and Fitness club celebrated opening at new premises on Pollen Street last week. The club has a proud record of engaging young people and is also reaching out to involve more girls and women. Find out more here.
Image: Mayor Len Salt (right) attending the opening with Club President and Coach Shaun George (centre) and Hauraki Mayor Toby Adams (left).
Have your say on our Annual Plan
We're putting together our Council's budgets, project and operational priorities for the 2023/24 financial year. We'd love to have your feedback on our proposed Rebuild and Recover Budget for 2023/24 - our Annual Plan for the year.
With the district hit by a series of severe weather events, we’re having to make some tough decisions about where and what we spend on. The challenge is to balance rates, while we rebuild and make our district resilient to the more frequent extreme weather and effects of climate change.
Review the proposals in our Consultation Document on our website at tcdc.govt.nz/annualplan2023 or available at our Council service centres or district libraries.
Share your feedback online, by email or post.
Creative Coromandel Arts Strategy
Help contribute to Creative Coromandel’s Arts Strategy Review by taking part in this survey by the end of the month.
What's on in our district
Beach Hop
There’s less than a week to go before Beach Hop 2023 rock’n’roll festival kicks off, and excitement’s mounting about the chance to showcase our district to visitors.
The main events are centred around Whangamatā on Saturday 25 and 26 March with bands all over town, the grand parade, shows of classic cars, boats and caravans show and loads of vintage-styled events including Australasia’s biggest Elvis tribute competition. There’s also the Repco Power Cruise around the peninsula on Thursday and rock’n’roll events in Onemana on Friday.
Find out more here.
Road closures: There will be several road closures in Whangamatā. We apologise for any inconvenience and ask for your patience on our roads as traffic delays are likely around the district with large crowds expected. For road closure and detour information, see www.tcdc.govt.nz/roads
Rubbish and Recycling:
Alcohol ban: During Beach Hop there is a 24/7 alcohol ban from 4pm Tuesday 21 March until 4am Monday 27 March, which Police enforce. Don’t take alcohol on the street or in public places. tcdc.govt.nz/alcoholcontrol
Dogs: We know many pooches also come and enjoy the Hop. A reminder to owners keep your dog on a leash in public places. There’s areas you can exercise your dog off-lead, see tcdc.govt.nz/dogrules.
Washing your pride and joy: We’re anticipating a huge number of visitors to Whangamatā, which means a large increase in water use in the area.
To help us manage our networks and make sure there is enough water for everyone, we need all residents and visitors to ensure they are conserving water where possible:
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Use a bucket to wash cars and don’t leave the hose running continuously, which wastes water.
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A reminder, Whangamatā is a coastal town, so any cleaning products, detergents etc. used for car washing have a quick and direct path to the ground and the sea via our stormwater network, including road cesspits.
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Please wash your cars on the lawn to soak up the water.
For more information about our water restrictions and conservation tips visit tcdc.govt.nz/water.
Meeting highlights
Whangamatā Community Board meeting highlights
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The Board also recommended that Council advertises the Whangamatā Surf Lifesaving Club Incorporated's request to extend the lease area of their premises located on part of Williamson Reserve at 418 Ocean Road, Whangamatā to include additional areas of reserve land. The Board also recommended to Council that consent be granted to some minor building alterations to the existing clubroom.
Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board meeting highlights
- Contractor ‘Playground People’ have been engaged for the supply and installation of playground equipment at Beaumont Green playground in Pāuanui. This project is on track to be completed before the end of June 2023 and will cost approximately $75,000.
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Work is continuing to deliver the Tairua Skatepark but due to the recent flood events, finalising of the design and procurement has slowed to allow key team members to support our Council in the recovery process. However, we are still targeting completion of the procurement process for approval by our Council at its 4 April meeting. Find out more about this project at tcdc.govt.nz/tairuaskatepark.
Thames Community Board meeting highlights
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The Board acknowledged the role that Thames Bridge Club plays in supporting the wellbeing of senior citizens when it recommended advertising the extension of its lease on a Council building over Victoria Park at 1 Graham St for another 20 years. The club recently celebrated 50 years recently, with about 66 members and an average age of 75. Other community organisations will be given the opportunity to object to the lease.
Dogs available for adoption
We’ve got four adorable dogs up for adoption. Take a look at our website.
Current job vacancies
District Licensing Committee vacancies
Do you have great decision-making skills? Former alcohol licensing experience?
We are calling for applications from people interested in being part of our Thames-Coromandel District Licensing Committee, responsible for making decisions on all alcohol licences and manager certificates in the district. Applications close on Sunday 19 March at 5pm. tcdc.govt.nz/DLCC
Other vacancies
Explore more job opportunities on our website.