New Social Recovery fund opens, SH25A progress, and weather updates
Published on 21 July 2023
The latest from Mayor Len
Boost for summer tourism
This week we hosted Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni in Thames, who announced a further $200,000 of government support funding for tourism recovery in the Coromandel. Our regional tourism promoter, Destination Hauraki Coromandel, will put this to good use to boost visitor numbers this coming summer.
We’ve seen consistent drops in electronic card spending this year, compared to the same period last year, so I’ve been taking every opportunity to tell government ministers that ongoing support for the Coromandel will be crucial until our roading network is fully re-established. Ms Sepuloni is also the new Cyclone Recovery Minister for the Coromandel, and in this capacity she met with leaders of business associations from around the district while she spent the day in Thames. She heard directly from them exactly how businesses here have been affected by the cyclones earlier this year. She also walked along Pollen Street and met some of the business owners and heard about their specific issues. This kind of direct attention from senior government ministers is crucial to our district’s recovery from the cyclones; it gives us great access to the decision makers to ask for support on long-term sustainable roading investment as well as continued bridging support to get through until SH25A is reopened.
Progress on SH25A
We’ve heard from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency that there have been no delays to their work to get SH25A reopened. The contract with the preferred joint venture is expected to be finalised by the month’s end. It’s normal for commercial negotiations to take some time on major construction projects, and in the meantime work on the site is well underway. Local subcontractors are carrying out much of the enabling works at the site, such as clearing the site, setting up offices, drainage work, stabilising access tracks. Design work on the bridge is well advanced and materials are on order and should be arriving soon. Once things are in full swing, there’ll be up to 100 people working on the site with more people working off site on the fabrication of bridge components. Many of the workers will need local accommodation, which will provide an economic boost.
We continue to push hard for long-term investment (10-30 years) in our roading infrastructure. This is critical, not only for our Coromandel communities, but also for a wide range of our business operators. Long term investments across multiple industries including tourism and hospitality, forestry, aquaculture, farming and retail all rely on reliable and sustainable roading connections. Jobs and housing as well as our social and economic wellbeing are on the line if this investment doesn’t happen. We’ve partnered with Waka Kotahi to plan what needs to be done, but the funding has to come from central government. We need to see commitments from all parties that they are going to recognise the value to the Coromandel and do the right thing. It’s a conversation that all of us should be having with candidates as we get closer to the election.
Recovery work continues
We’re releasing our Recovery Plan soon, so you can see all the actions and work that is going on – and also a calendar of events and forums that are on over the following months to help boost up communities and promote connectedness until SH25A reopens. Keep an eye on our website as it’ll be available soon.
I’m also very pleased to announce that our Council’s Mayoral Relief Social Recovery Fund will open for applications from Monday. This has been set up for local community organisations and social services who are facing increased costs from supporting their communities through this year’s weather events. More information can be found below and at www.tcdc.govt.nz/socialrecovery.
It really felt last weekend that our new Matariki public holiday is becoming established as a welcome part of our annual calendar of long weekends. There were a few public events around the place where people could gather to share food, reflect on the turning of the seasons and remember those who have passed away. There was the Night Street Festival in Whitianga, five days of events in Whangamatā and in Thames we’ve had Matariki flags flying on the Pollen Street lamp posts.
Weather updates
Last night and today have been wet and windy for everyone across the Coromandel. Just over 100mm of rain fell in eight hours last night, with gusty north-east winds. There's surface water and debris across roads in many places. Heavy rain and winds have persisted today but should soon start to ease.
Please check our Facebook page for the latest updates: facebook.com/ThamesCoromandelDistrictCouncil
Conserve water notice – Coromandel Town
• Due to major flooding at the Waiou water intake, we are unable to pump raw water to the Coromandel Town water treatment plant.
• We cannot treat water and refill the reservoirs. While the reservoirs are currently at acceptable levels, these will continue to drop until we are able to restart the Water Treatment Plants. Coromandel Town residents will need to conserve water by deferring showers, washing clothes and minimise toilet flushing until further notice.
• Work to repair water infrastructure in Whitianga and Hahei is now complete.
Updates will be posted to our Facebook page.
Rates Rebate
Applications for the 2023/24 rates rebate year from Te Tari Taiwhenua | the Department of Internal Affairs are now available.
Rebates are calculated by this central government department, dependent on the amount of your household income and rates payable for the year. The maximum rebate this year has increased to $750.
Need help? Drop into a rates rebate clinic
Thames, 515 Mackay St: From 31 July–4 August.
Call us on 07 868 0200 to book an appointment.
Coromandel Town | Whangamatā | Whitianga: No appointment needed.
Drop into our Council offices during office hours any time before 30 June 2024:
• Coromandel Town, 355 Kapanga Rd
• Whangamatā, 620 Port Rd
• Whitianga, 10 Monk St
Pāuanui | Tairua: Thursday 3 August–one day only. No appointment needed.
• Pāuanui Community Hub, 23 Centreway–9am to 12pm
• Tairua Library, 2 Manaia Rd–1pm to 4pm
You have until the 30 June 2024 to apply for a rebate in the current rating year.
For more information, visit tcdc.govt.nz/ratesrebate
Mayoral Social Recovery Fund
Our Council is welcoming applications for a new fund to support tangata whenua, community and voluntary organisations to support their communities following this year’s severe weather. The Mayoral Relief Social Recovery fund is open to local organisations who:
• Would like to hold community events and activities for affected communities
• Are looking to run initiatives that enhance community connections and resilience
• Have incurred costs supporting the welfare and needs of their communities following the severe weather
Applications are open from 24 July–14 August, with funds being distributed by the end of September.
Please click the link below for more information and the application form, or contact sheryll.fitzpatrick@tcdc.govt.nz.
For more information, please visit tcdc.govt.nz/socialrecovery
Monitoring of Council roading repairs
This week, road crews were out checking edge protection, bunds and drainage in the 70-plus sites where damage has occurred that has not yet been repaired. These are sites where the scale and complexity of the problem require that the work be done by specialist contractors, with the jobs being tendered externally. So far no changes to these sites have been reported, with all sites being regularly inspected to ensure that they are as safe as can be managed.
For permanent repairs, surveys have been completed on all sites, with geotechnical investigations completed on around 70 per cent. The sites have been prioritised with the first group of sites on Tapu-Coroglen Road expected to go to tender next week. Completion for this site is expected by Christmas 2023. After this, repairs will be tendered for Blackjack Road, again with completion expected by Christmas, with other sites then being released on a rolling programme every 4 to 6 weeks with the intention of work on around 24 to 30 sites being undertaken in the 2023/24 financial year.
Keep up to date on our local road conditions at tcdc.govt.nz/roads.
Upcoming Council and community board meetings
Our next round of community board meetings are set to start, running from Tuesday 25 July to Wednesday 2 August.
Our next Council meeting is on Tuesday 8 August.
You are welcome to join us for the public section of these meetings. There is also the option to join online.
Click here to see our Council meeting calendar.
What's on: Harakeke Mahi Raranga | Flax Weaving Workshop and Fun Day
Thames Museum Te Whare Taonga o te Kauaeranga are hosting a flax weaving workshop on Saturday 29th July with Colleen Renata and Chrissy Te Teira.
Due to the skill level required, they are welcoming young people from teens upwards to the workshop. As well as the weaving workshop, throughout the day they will also have activities for younger children, so there will be for fun for all. Children will need to be accompanied by an adult.
To help fund the day they are running a raffle with prizes donated by Colleen Renata, including beautiful woven kete, hats and brooches.
Spaces are limited To book a place in the workshop, please contact Carolyn on 027 868 6072. Click here to follow Thames Museum on Facebook.
The museum is located at 503 Cochrane Street, in Thames.
Opportunities at our Council
Calling all planners!
We currently have two positions available for District Plan and/or policy planners, catering to candidates at any level of expertise: be it graduate, intermediate, or senior. Join our team and discover an extraordinary opportunity, regardless of your level of expertise.
Economic Development Advisor (Fixed term)
This is an exciting time to join the Economic Development team as an Economic Development Advisor. Working with our Economic Development Lead you will deliver projects that improve the social and economic wellbeing of our communities by supporting our local economy to become more productive, resilient, and sustainable.
Join our team as Principal Advisor - Climate Change and lead our efforts in creating a sustainable and resilient future for our community. This newly created role presents a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact, providing the Council with invaluable advice and support on climate change matters
Adoptable dogs
If you are interested in adopting a dog, please contact us on 07 868 0200.
Once your interest is known, a Dog Control Officer will be in contact with you to discuss the adoption and carry out the appropriate checks, this may include a visit to your property.
Pono
This handsome young boy is a Huntaway cross and an entire male. He's a fun-loving guy who loves to hang out and play.
He knows some commands, is house trained, and would be a perfect walking or running buddy.
He can get quite excited as he loves company and would suit a high energy owner.
