Economic Development update: Supporting our businesses

Published on 09 March 2023

Our Council is now ready to receive applications for the Business Recovery Grants for businesses that have experienced significant and sustained disruption because of Cyclone Hale and Cyclone Gabrielle.  

The central government is funding $25 million in recovery support to businesses in seven North Island regions.

“Our district is administering $1.42m of this fund, which will enable us to further support local business operators who have been suffering in the wake of these storms,” says our Mayor Len Salt.

“We know it has been a really tough time for many of our industries, and we encourage any business that meets the criteria to take advantage of this opportunity for help.”

“Today’s brief closure of State Highway 25 to all traffic is a reminder of the fragility of the roading network in the Coromandel,” says Mayor Len. “Waka Kotahi got it back open to light vehicles pretty quickly, but heavy vehicles will need to take the Thames Coast Road section of SH25 to access the east coast and points beyond. This adds more cost to our local business sector and is another reason our Council is working as hard as we can to get the message to central government that investment in more resilient infrastructure and utilities is critical.”

To be eligible applicants must be experiencing significant cashflow issues due to continued challenges with customer access, ability to source stock, supply chain issues, inability to operate as usual due to the physical damage to equipment or premises, or delays in insurance assessment and repairs.

The grants are to help businesses cover operating expenses and position themselves for a successful recovery.

The $1.42 million our district has been charged with administering is for businesses across the Waikato region who fit the criteria for funding. Applications will be assessed by an independent advisory panel. 

You can apply using our easy online form or download a PDF form to fill out online or by hand.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Applications close Friday 31 March.

Business impact survey

Please take part in this business impact survey before Monday 13 March to help us pull together information so we can provide evidence and data to central government about the real impacts of the 2023 weather events on our district. This will help us to pull together a business case so we can access assistance and funding packages to support you.

TAKE SURVEY

Destination Hauraki Coromandel industry update

We are looking forward to catching up with you tomorrow at 10am, Friday 10 March for an update on activity from:

• Hadley Dryden - Destination Hauraki Coromandel
• Len Salt - Our Council's Mayor
• Lynda Keene - CE, Tourism Export Council
• David Speirs and Cara Lauder - Waka Kotahi/NZTA

JOIN ZOOM MEETING

Please pass on the invitation to other Hauraki Coromandel visitor-related businesses.

Marketing support

Destination Haruaki Coromandel has released Welcome to our World, unplanned marketing activity that they pulled together in the wake of recent weather to instill confidence in travellers that the Coromandel is open and we are ready to welcome them.

The first phase is primarily for awareness and understanding of the "open" message, and the next phase building towards Easter and ANZAC holidays will be more targeted to drive travel.  With the additional support of Tourism New Zealand, Destination Coromandel will be able to feature businesses offering packages. Just a reminder, this doesn't mean a deep discount, but a package is a well-recognised "hook" to attract the attention of those thinking about/planning a break.

LIST A PACKAGE

To participate in Tourism New Zealand campaigns add your package to your listing on the Tourism Business Database.

The Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund is open to Thames-Coromandel District Council residents, ratepayers or small business owners, and not-for-profit organisations who have suffered financial hardship because of damages caused by the Cyclone Gabrielle weather event.

To help mitigate these losses and support our people, our Council has established the Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund.

The Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund is open to Thames-Coromandel District Council residents, ratepayers or small business owners, and not-for-profit organisations who have suffered financial hardship because of damages caused by the Cyclone Gabrielle weather event.

The Fund may be used to support and meet the needs of affected individuals, families, community organisations, small businesses and marae.

The closing date for applying to the fund is 10 March 2023.

FIND OUT MORE

Kōpū Marine Servicing and Business Precinct

It’s full steam ahead on building the infrastructure for the new marine and business facility at Kōpū, in spite of interruptions caused by the severe weather. 

Thanks to the local businesses, organisations and suppliers who have been working on the project:

• Fulton Hogan – Waikato-based team
• Kerepehi Transport for test piling operation
• HG Leach engaged to supply quarry materials
• Cirtex engaged to supply geogrid and geotextile materials
• Hydra-Care engaged for hydro-excavation to locate underground services
• Kōpū Engineering for minor truck repairs.
• Avalon Motel used to locally house Fulton Hogan staff
• Local hospitality ie Kōpū Hotel, Kōpū Cafe
• Local Porter Hire branch for plant and equipment hire
• Ngāti Maru for cultural induction and cultural monitoring
• Ngaati Whanaunga for cultural induction and cultural monitoring.

MORE ON THIS PROJECT

Invitation to 2023 COGS Hauraki public meetings

The Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) provides government funding for supporting non-profit community organisations delivering community-orientated and community-driven social services, projects and events to one or more priority sectors. 

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) provides coordination and supports the voluntary body of the COGS committee in each Local Distribution Area. Click here for more information.

COGS funding round opens 5 April 2023 and closes 3 May 2023.

COGS local community priorities are determined by each Local Distribution Committees (LDC) consulting community organisations and the wider communities for feedback and suggestions at the annual public meeting.

A warm invitation to whānau, hapū, iwi, community organisations and groups to engage in this consultation process at COGS Hauraki public meeting 2023; identify and discuss local community benefits or priorities, that you would like to see from COGS investment in your local communities. The 2023 COGS Hauraki public meetings will be held in person and via Zoom.

Face to face

Monday 13 March, 10:30am - 12:30pm at the Jack McLean Community Recreation Centre Multi-Purpose Room. 751 Rolleston Street, Thames.

Zoom

Tuesday 14 March, 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

JOIN HERE

Meeting ID: 865 9112 7926 

Password: 026899

The Zoom will open at 5:15pm to allow admission time into the Zoom. There will be breakout sessions during the meeting so please make sure you are signing into the Zoom individually.

During the public meetings you will get to know, the current Local Committee members, what is COGS, its funding priorities and outcomes, tips for funding request and participation in the discussions on setting local priorities.

If you want to be familiar with Zoom, please visit this website here.

What's on?

Our hospitality and events businesses extend a warm welcome to visitors and look forward to showing just what a special place our district is. There is lots going on over the autumn season, including the annual Repco Beach Hop.

Make sure your events are listed on our website, or check them out here.

Long vehicles banned from Tapu-Coroglen and 309 Roads

Vehicles longer than 12.6 metres are now prohibited from using The 309 and Tapu-Coroglen Roads unless they are are accessing properties on these roads or carrying out vital work such as emergency transportation or authorised repairs.

Our Council has passed new amendments to the restrictions under its Traffic Control Bylaw banning long vehicles from these two rural routes, following the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on our roading network.

Both roads are narrow, are primarily unsealed and have a number of very tight corners. Long vehicles cannot navigate them comfortably, and trucks have crashed or been stuck regularly in the past. The process to recover a vehicle is expensive and often damages the road. The road can remain closed for hours or days, shutting off people’s access to properties located along that road.

The 309 Road runs from the east coast of the Coromandel south of Whitianga to the west coast south of Coromandel Town. The Tapu-Coroglen Road traverses both coasts of the Coromandel, from Coroglen in the east to the west coast at Tapu.

The closure of SH25A due to storm damage could have exacerbated these issues, as vehicles now have to take a different route to access the Coromandel.

In order to address concerns about these two roads, our Council has agreed on two new restrictions under Clause 9 of the Bylaw, to prohibit vehicles of 12.6 metres or more from using them. We currently regulate the use of Council-controlled roads within our  district through the Traffic Control Bylaw which empowers us to restrict traffic in a variety of ways, by adding new restrictions into the Bylaw’s Schedules.

Signage for the new restrictions will be placed at the entrances to both roads, with advance warning signs placed on the State Highways. These are being manufactured and will be installed soon.

Additional signage on the issues with the roads and the hazards on the route will also be provided at each entrance so that drivers of vehicles not covered by these regulations will be aware of the conditions and the need for being alert to hazards.

We have also contacted transport operators and other businesses to make them aware of the new changes.

FAQs HERE

Work continues towards SH25A fix

The Kōpū to Hikuai road is incredibly important to the Coromandel, and the closure of state highway 25A is being felt by everyone.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency are focused on getting this highway open as quickly as possible, while prioritising the safety of their crew and the community. There is no short-term fix for SH25A, and a number of options are being explored.

A project team has been established and is focused on developing and assessing the options for the rebuild of SH25A. This includes a Waka Kotahi senior project manager, Beca consultants, who will prepare the detailed options assessment report, and the contractor Higgins, who is currently managing the closure and will construct the access tracks for the geotechnical drilling rigs.

Other companies involved include consultancies who will manage the resource consenting and land access outside the road reserve, if it’s needed.

What are the options being considered?

Several options have been identified so far and they fit into three broad categories:

• Retreat north and build a bypass around the top of the site.
• Replace the lost section of road with a bridge.
• Rebuild the supporting ground with retaining walls.

FIND OUT MORE

2023 Census

Thank you to everyone who has completed the 2023 Census. Tuesday 7 March was Census Day, but if you haven't completed your forms yet, you haven't missed out: you still have time.

FIND OUT MORE

Waikato Sport & Active Recreation Awards 

A record 100 nominations from around the region were received for the 2022 Waikato Sport & Active Recreation Awards, with finalists and their supporters attending the event in January alongside sponsors and key Waikato supporters to hear the winners announced.

Congratulations to Whitianga Skate School for winning the 2022 Community Connection Award at the Waikato Sport & Active Recreation Awards. The Whitianga Skateboard School started with the goal of providing lessons for local kids. Enrollment has grown to over 60 children, creating a strong community vibe and positive impact on the children's confidence and happiness. Founder Sean Reilly has provided gear, food and adjustments to the classes to better meet the needs of the children, while also starting all-day Monday classes for homeschooled children and a Mums club on Saturdays. The response to the Skateboard School has been overwhelmingly positive, and has seen benefits to the community on multiple levels.

Congratulations also to finalists of other categories; Ride Coromandel Bike Park - Spirit of Coromandel Trust and Janet Mischewski (Thames Gymsports Coach).

READ MORE

Whangamatā Mountain Bike Park 

The latest Autumn 2023 newsletter from the Whangamatā Mountain Bike Park group with updates is now available.

READ HERE(PDF, 3MB)

Work with us

Are you ready to change your scene? Our Council is hiring now and we have opportunities for engineers, planners, administrators and more.

Flexible working, fantastic culture and great lifestyle.

VIEW JOB VACANCIES