Our wrap-up: No recycling for March, Beach Hop, and Annual Plan
Published on 24 March 2023
No Kerbside recycling collections for the rest of March for our district
Our Solid Waste Contractor, Smart Environmental Limited (SEL), has advised us that unfortunately due to a driver shortage in their local operations, they are not able to provide recycling and glass collection services for all properties in our district, from Monday 20 March to Friday 31 March 2023 – and will only be collecting blue Council rubbish bags over these two weeks.
This has been caused by:
- An ongoing national shortage of drivers.
- A COVID-19 wave going through SEL’s local branch.
- The closure of SH25A causing a significant increase in travel time making Monday and Tuesday services extremely difficult to complete within each driver’s logbook driving hours.
SEL has advised that these two weeks of reduced services will allow time for their drivers infected with COVID-19 to rest and recover before returning to work. SEL are conducting a strong recruitment drive through all available channels.
- Please do not place your recycling wheelie bin or glass crate on the kerbside for collection in the next two weeks.
- If you cannot hold onto your recycling during this time, please take it to one of our seven Transfer Stations in the district: tcdc.govt.nz/rts
- In relation to Beach Hop this week and the anticipated increase in rubbish and recycling material over this time, we can confirm that the Whangamatā transfer station will be operating under extended hours during the event. The site will be open from 8.30am to 5.30pm over a six-day period from Wednesday 22 March to Monday 27 March before returning to usual operating hours. Visitors will be able to drop off their recycling on their way home.
- If you or anyone you know is interested in applying for a driving role with Smart Environmental, please contact them directly on 0800 424 990 or visit their website.
We sincerely apologise for the disruption to recycling services for the next two weeks, and we appreciate your understanding and patience for our Contractor at such a challenging time.
Find out more at tcdc.govt.nz/kerbside
More on our Road to Recovery
Our Council is continuing to work hard in recovery efforts following a stormy start to the year. This has included a range of different funding options for families, individuals, and businesses in our district. Read more about these funding opportunities in the link below.
A comprehensive survey of 267 local businesses revealed the extensive impact these storms have had on their operations. Ninety-five per cent of respondents saw decreased sales volumes, 50 per cent of these respondents saw a greater than 60 per cent decrease in sales volumes. 72.41 per cent saw a greater than 40 per cent decrease in sales volumes from the same time last year. More information is available in the link below.
Our roading contractors are working hard to repair our fractured roading system. Read more about their efforts in the link below, plus information on traffic numbers in our district compared to previous years.
Read more here.
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 run, safe and add to the community and visitor experience on our reserves – especially our seaside ‘crown jewels’.
We’re taking applications until Friday 21 April 2023. 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
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 Friday 7 April 2023 at 5pm.
tcdc.govt.nz/ccs
Moanataiari Sea Wall public information meeting
What's on - Events in our district
- An exhibition of ceramics by Anneke Borren and Caitlin Moloney is being held at Driving Creek Railway and Potteries Gallery in Coromandel Town between Friday 24 March and 9 April.
- Beach Hop 2023 rock’n’roll festival kicked off this week and excitement is high as the main weekend approaches. 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. There will be road closures and alcohol bans in place so make sure you read our information before attending the event here.
Works in your area
Water restrictions ease: With a rain-filled summer, nearly all of the district except for Thames Valley now has no water restrictions. Thames Valley has a Level 5 restriction, banning the use of hand-held hoses, unattended hoses, sprinklers and garden irrigation systems. This does not apply to Thames town which has no restrictions. However, residents are still reminded that water is a precious resource and any wastage should be avoided. tcdc.govt.nz/waterrestrictions
Road resealing programme: Tuesday 28 March - Saturday 1 April. There is no scheduled road resealing programmed for Monday 27 March.
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Date
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Road
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Area
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28/03/2023
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Captain Amodeo Rd
Waikauwau Beach Rd
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Coromandel-Colville
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29/03/2023
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Pagitt St
Rings Rd
Edward St
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Coromandel Town
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30/03/2023
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Kennedy Bay Rd
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Coromandel-Colville
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31/03/2023
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Wyuna Bay Rd
Colville Rd
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Coromandel-Colville
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1/04/2023
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Albert St
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Coromandel Town
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Poetic Directions art installation
The Poetic Directions artwork was installed near the junction of the cycle trail and the STM metalled driveway. It is in a mown area and sheltered from stock.
Thames Public Art Trust have received funding from Trust Waikato, CNZ Creative Communities Scheme, and Thames-Coromandel District Council via the Thames Community Board.
The Trust had practical help from Kopu Engineering to construct the foundation reinforcing cage, the 4.5m post and rotating signs; donated time and materials from Thames Valley Hiabs for sand blasting and painting the pole; OSCS laser cut the poem signs; Marshall Mini Diggers generously gave time and labour to drill an 1800 x 600 hole to concrete in the reinforcing cage; Skywork Helicopters Ltd provided a Hiab to support the structure during installation.
The signpost stands 6 metres tall and makes quite a statement. The poem is laser cut in corten steel and easily read from the path.
Thames Public Art Trust is appreciative that iwi, Thames High School, Creative Coromandel, Hauraki Rail Trail Trust, and our Council along with the support of local businesses and community helpers have all collaborated in this installation. It has been five years from concept to installation.
The installation will be officially opened on Sunday 16 April, 10am.
Annual Plan Consultation
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 and make a submission on our website at tcdc.govt.nz/annualplan2023. Hard copies of the document and the submission form are available at our Council service centres and district libraries. Staff there can help you with your submission.
Share your feedback before 4pm, 10 April 2023, by using our online submission form, by emailing a completed submission pdf to consultation@tcdc.govt.nz or by post.
As of Friday we have 34 submissions to the proposals in our Annual Plan Consultation Document. To view the submissions, please go to the ‘WHAT PEOPLE SAY’ tab of our submission portal.
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.
Equitable Transitions Strategy public consultation workshop
The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment are running a public consultation workshop next week on 28 March at Te Puru on their Equitable Transitions Strategy aims to achieve a low emissions Aotearoa New Zealand that is better for everyone.
Register to attend and find out more here.
Meetings highlights
Mercury Bay Community Board meeting
There was an excellent turn-out in public forum, where a range of matters were raised.
The draft Annual Plan consultation document was accepted, and the Board confirmed it would make a submission. The Board:
- Supported a reduction in Discretionary Funds and Contestable Grant funding, and wish to retain some budget towards Major Events funding.
- Did not support a reduction in budget for Stormwater, Wastewater and Water Supply Investigation fees and strongly support completion of the Whitianga Water Supply Strategy Study as proposed.
- Supported Option 2: PAYT pre-paid system costing $8 including GST per 140L bin empty and a targeted solid waste rate increase (for those in an area of service) of 76 per cent regarding Kerbside pricing.
The Board made the following recommendations to Council:
- Approve the construction of a carport at the leased premises of Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust (Trust) located 90 Moewai Road, Whitianga. The structure is proposed by Kūaotunu Land Search and Rescue Incorporated (KLSAR) who sublease part of the premises from the Trust.
- A portion of reserve, along the Tairua-Whitianga Road, Coroglen, be declared as road pursuant to section 114 of the Public Works Act 1981.
- A variation to the Mercury Bay Boating Club Incorporated's lease to change the site location and the period of renewal.
During the work program update it was discussed that a Resource consent hearing for upgrades to the existing Matarangi wastewater treatment plant to increase its capacity to meet future demand was expected to take place early this year. This has been delayed due to additional workload because of this year’s storm activity and is sitting with Waikato Regional Council.
Coromandel-Colville Community Board meeting
There was an excellent turn-out in public forum, where a range of matters were raised.
The Board welcomed a presentation from the Colville Project – a social change project that will focus on developing social services, a housing strategy, and the development of a Wellness Education Centre, to provide accommodation for the community and visiting professions. The group is currently engaging with iwi, local groups, practitioners, and potential users with an application planned to our Council by the end of 2023, and infrastructure development planned to follow in 2024.
Simon Graney, Strategy & Innovation Director, gave a presentation in support of developing a second Outward Bound site in the Coromandel at Tuck’s Bay, which offered bush, a sheltered sea area for waka ama training, and was easily accessible from nearby centres. The proposal involved establishing a facility for 40 students, with a potential focus on work readiness and encouraging climate influencers. Desired partners included Iwi, our Council, DOC, Spirit of Coromandel Trust, Driving Creek Railway and local conservation groups.
The draft Annual Plan consultation document was accepted, and the Board confirmed it would make a submission:
- The Board supports the creation of a purpose-built library and information centre on the current land at Kapanga Road
- Maintenance/painting of the heritage Coromandel Town office building and Hauraki House should not be put off for longer than a year
- A proposal to remove the 2023/24 contestable annual funds grant and instead keep the discretionary budget
- Supported Option 2: PAYT pre-paid system costing $8 including GST per 140L bin empty and a targeted solid waste rate increase (for those in an area of service) of 76 per cent in regard to Kerbside pricing.
Project Delivery
- The installation of the Te Awa toilets is on track to be completed before the end of financial year on 30 June
- Flood water has been running down through the Buffalo cemetery causing flooding in the dip by Little Creek. Piping and soak holes are being considered