Long Term Plan progress, pool funding and community updates
Published on 28 August 2026
Council adopts funding framework for aquatic facilities
Council has confirmed that funding to construct a new pool in Thames will be included in the draft 2027-2037 Long Term Plan (LTP) that is being prepared now.
This decision was made at Council’s meeting this week, when several other recommendations relating to aquatic provision across the district were confirmed. These include meeting a national benchmark for aquatic facility provision district-wide, as well as a district contribution to funding for operational and capital funding of pools in the district, within certain parameters, to meet that benchmark. Development of a district-wide aquatics strategy and asset management plan will also be included in the draft LTP. These recommendations were proposed by the Infrastructure and Finance Committee at its 13 August meeting.
If, following community consultation on the LTP expected early next year, Council decides to go ahead with the pool replacement project, a new pool will be built at the proposed site on the Thames High School grounds.
Thames Centennial Pool is reaching the end of its lifespan, and it’s built upon an early burial ground or urupā associated with Te Kauaeranga Pā. It is a site of deep spiritual, cultural and historical significance for Ngāti Maru. Council has a commitment with iwi to remove the pool from the site (Taipari Park) and return it to Ngāti Maru.
Conversations with iwi have indicated that, in good faith, delays to the deadline for moving the existing pool off the urupā are acceptable if it enables a smooth transition to a new pool for the community.
If Council decides not to fund a new pool through the LTP, the current pool will be demolished and the land returned to Ngāti Maru.
Watch Council’s discussion and decisions on district aquatics, funding and the Thames pool on our website here. Go to Item 1.6 in Tuesday’s meeting agenda (minutes for receiving and confirmation) to read the detailed decisions.
What is the Long Term Plan?
You’ll likely hear more references over the coming months to our Long Term Plan (LTP) for 2027-2037 that we’re working on.
Our LTP sets the direction we’re heading for the next 10 years and provides a long-term focus for decision making. It outlines all the services and projects we’re planning, what they’re going to cost and how we’ll fund them (including what rates increases are likely to be for the next 10 years). To accommodate change Council also develops an Annual Plan in years two and three of the LTP and produces a new LTP every three years. Our current LTP is for 2024-34 and the next LTP will be adopted in 2027.
Strategic direction set for Long Term Plan
Also at its meeting on Tuesday, Council adopted two documents to guide development of the coming LTP, the State of Play Report and Strategic Direction: Community outcomes and strategic priorities. State of Play analyses the district and its challenges, strengths, opportunities and operating constraints. Strategic Direction identifies what Council is trying to achieve, community needs, strategic considerations and priorities to guide LTP decision making.
Mayor Peter Revell described these as foundational statements. They do not commit Council to any service levels or budget decisions. There are important decisions to come about where to invest, where to rationalise, how to incorporate the rates cap environment (legislation for which was announced Tuesday morning) and how to reconcile the LTP with the local government amalgamation scenario.
State of Play and Strategic Direction are in Tuesday’s Council meeting agenda pack in the link below, in item 2.3.
Check it out
Positive results in Annual Dog Control Report
There were fewer dog-related incidents across the district in 2025/26, according to Council's latest Annual Dog Control Report.
Key results included a 19% drop in dog-related requests for service, fewer reports of loose or uncontrolled dogs, and fewer attacks on other animals. The district also had 5,038 registered dogs.
Alongside enforcement, Council continued to promote responsible dog ownership through education initiatives, including its Lead the Way campaign, with compliance officers having more than 830 conversations with the community during the six-week campaign.
While most dog owners do the right thing, Council will continue to monitor compliance and take appropriate enforcement action when required. Looking ahead to the busy summer period, Council will be taking a firmer approach to non-compliance in public places where large numbers of people and dogs mix, including beaches, town centres and reserves.
Read the full Annual Dog Control Report here
Whitianga Esplanade redevelopment to cease
Council also confirmed Mercury Bay Community Board's recommendation to stop stage 3 of the currently approved Whitianga Esplanade Redevelopment project. This project has been in the investigative stages, looking at how to manage ongoing health and safety risks from a mix of recreational, commercial and visitor activity in The Esplanade and Whitianga Wharf area. Stage 2 of the project identified separating the various user groups as the preferred solution. Instead, Council directed staff to further investigate alternative safety improvements to comply with legislative requirements. The Community Board, reflecting concerns of some in the community at the $12.57 million funding allocated in the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan in the 2027-2030 years, had asked that the project cease.
Find out more
Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards update
A huge thank you to everyone who voted in the Claymark Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards People’s Choice category. Community support has been outstanding, with more than 5,000 votes received for local businesses that make a difference in our communities.
Why are my rates changing?
If your rates look different this year, you're not alone.
There are several factors that may affect your rates, but for most properties the two changes that can make a big different are:
It's important to understand that these changes do very different things.
Annual Plan rates increase
The Annual Plan rates increase affects how much rates Council collects overall to fund services and infrastructure across the district. If you'd like to know more, check out our Annual plan webpage.
Land Value to Capital Value rating
The move from Land Value to Capital Value does not increase the total amount of rates collected. Instead, it changes how rates are shared between properties.
- Land Value (LV) is the value of the land only. This doesn’t consider things like houses, commercial building or other structures.
- Capital Value (CV) is the value of the land and any improvements on it, such as houses, commercial buildings and other structures.
Some property owners will contribute a larger share than before. Others will contribute less, while some will see very little change.
Want to know more?
We've put everything you need to know in one place, including explainers, FAQs, myth-busting information, and a tool to see how the changes may affect your property.
Learn more about this change
Don't forget, we're here to help.
If you need help accessing rating information or want to speak with someone about these changes, contact our team:
T: 07 868 0200
E: customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz
Grass Carp approved for Cooks Beach lakes
The Department of Conservation has approved Thames-Coromandel District Council to release grass carp into the two Cooks Beach stormwater lakes for three years, as a long-term solution to control excessive aquatic weed growth.
The fish offer an environmentally focused alternative to previous weed management methods that proved ineffective, with containment measures in place and complementary riparian restoration work underway.
The grass carp are not koi carp. They are a carefully managed, herbivorous fish that provide a cost-effective and environmentally focused option for long-term aquatic weed management.
Read more about it
Pāuanui skate park closing soon for improvements
The Pāuanui skate park will close for approximately eight weeks from Monday 7 September while the skate bowl undergoes refurbishment. The project will be completed in two stages, delivering improvements to both the skate facility and surrounding reserve.
Pāuanui Skate Bowl Refurbishment | TCDC
Bluff Road Connectivity Project Update
Council has approved the recommendations of the Mercury Bay Community Board to fund from the Board's retained earnings the remaining feasibility work for the proposed Bluff Road Connectivity project. Bluff Road, connecting Kūaotunu and Matarangi along the coast, has been closed for some time due to hazardous rock fall. The local community, with the Board's support, has been advocating for some time for a bridge to be built to avoid this hazardous section. The funding is subject to the Matarangi and Kūaotunu Residents and Ratepayer Association and the Matarangi Community Trust confirming matching funding for this work. The community groups would be responsible for funding bridge construction, while Council has agreed in principle to take ownership of the completed bridge and fund its ongoing maintenance, along with the associated walking and cycling track.
Read more
Whitianga Oceans Festival gearing up for a big day out
Excitement is building for the 2026 Whitianga Oceans Festival, with organisers ramping up promotion of what promises to be a packed waterfront celebration of food, music and local flavours. Festival-goers are being encouraged to secure their tickets before prices increase on 1 September, with a strong line-up featuring Brad Cox, The Western Guide, AutoMatic 80s and Vegas Brown & Band.
This week also saw a spotlight on the festival's popular Eat Street experience, proudly supported by New World Whitianga. Local favourites including Sugarfish, SUNZ Seafood, Dive Zone Whitianga and the Whitianga Lions were among the vendors showcased, alongside the return of the much-loved Coromandel Oyster Bar. With fresh seafood, low-and-slow barbecue, local wines, Coromandel gin and plenty of community support behind the event, anticipation continues to grow ahead of festival day on 19 September.
Check out their latest